Le Bibent — Restaurant in Toulouse

This is a response to Le Bibent's reply on Wanny Bear's review.

Let me start by pointing out you are right about one thing. Our table was indeed directly facing the entrance to the kitchen and to the stairs that lead to the toilet. But the main point is not whether our table was directly facing the toilet or facing the stairs to the toilet. The main point is we were given the worst table when the entire restaurant was empty.

I am not sure if you are incapable to understand this main point or if you are trying to divert the attention to tedious details in order to discredit our story.

I would also like to point out that you have accused us of not raising our concern while conveniently omitted the fact that we had asked the waitress to explain her action. When we politely asked for an explanation, she said nothing. If this is a common practice of your restaurant to fill the worst seat first, she could have explained it to us. She did not. If this was just a misunderstanding and she led us to the worst table by chance, she could have told us that. She did not. If she did not know how to handle the situation, she could have asked her supervisor to come to explain. She did not.

Instead of apologizing to us or offering an explanation, she put down our credit card, refused to help us pay the bill, and walked away. We had to ask another waiter to come to pay the bill. She walked pass us when we walked out from the restaurant. Once again she said nothing. In fact, she turned her face away and pretended that she did not see us.

By the way, during our 3-week trip in France, tap water was always offered to us without asking. So please kindly explain why Le Bibent has offered every other table both tap water and bread while only giving us the bread? What was the reason for the waitress to have asked us to order either sparkling water or still water?

Just making a statement saying how your institution welcomes people around the world or how long hours your employees have worked is nothing but empty words. In fact, your condescending attitude is well in line with the arrogance displayed by the waitress.

As a customer, I would like to point out that your institution is a restaurant that exists to SERVE FOOD. As a customer, I found your institution has failed in both areas of “serving” and “food”. The fact that you did not even ask me for details to further investigate this incident, nor did you offer a sincere apology lead me to strongly doubt your ability as a director to manage and lead your institution. Finally, as a customer, I have the right to publicly review how I think of your food. This is not an insult. It is an honest opinion that you do not like. While your employees work long hours to prepare for the dishes, I also work long hours to pay for your service and food. Do...

This restaurant is racist and the food is horrible. We arrived 30 minutes before our reserved time. The entire restaurant was empty. The waitress led us to the back of the restaurant and to a table directly in front of the toilet/kitchen. We sat for 15 minutes and watched how every single customer was led to better tables located at the opposite section of the restaurant and far away from us. The same waitress came and asked if we wanted still or sparkling water. I decided to play along and ordered still water. Throughout the entire lunch, we observed how tap water was placed on the tables once the customers sat down. Yet we were not offered tap water throughout the entire meal. When the bill came, I asked the waitress if there was special reason to sit us in front of the toilet when the entire restaurant was empty at the time. She did not say anything. I then told her that we usually gave tips. But since we had ordered the still water that she recommended, we would not leave any tips this time. We stayed in France for over 3 weeks during our trip. This was by far the worst food we had ever tasted. Both of us did not finish our dishes because the food was tasteless. Our conclusion was that the chef either deliberately cooked badly for us or his/her taste buds were badly damaged. The chef had to try very hard to make every single dish so bland. For customers with colored skins, take your money to elsewhere. You should be respected. For all other customers, there are many restaurants in Toulouse offering fantastic food at the same or better price. They are just 5-10 minutes walk away. Do not be fooled by the decoration. It is a tourist trap.

P.S. Please see my response to owner’s comment on Les C’s review. Google only allows me to...

Quite a disappointment. The restaurant is gorgeous and well situated in Toulouse’s main square. It is very elegant.

Unfortunately, our meals were served far too quickly. It was like they were rushing us out.

Moreover, the food came so fast (less than 5 minutes from placing our orders) that they could not possibly have been prepared freshly. There was no time. And the proof was my entrecôte and fries were room temperature. The skillet they serve it on was bone cold.

I complained and they brought me a hot one in just minutes. While it was hot, as it was a steak you could tell it was not just off the fire. It had been resting for some time and then just heated up in an oven.

This tells me they run their kitchen like an assembly line, cranking out meals ahead of time so they’re sitting there ready to go. While efficient, the food doesn’t taste fresh and it destroys the special, luxurious dining experience they are trying to display.

So, it becomes like every other tourist trap. Very...