La Veranda — Restaurant in Versailles

It was very nice! I really don't understand the harsh reviews! The restaurant was very nice. The staff were amazing. The location and setting outside was very romantic. It's not a Michelin stared restaurant, so yes the food was not stunning but it was very good for the price. I went there with my girlfriend after visiting Versailles palace, we called at 6:30 and asked for a table at 7:00. They were very helpful and nice on the phone and said we sure can come. Upon arrival the reception was very welcoming and warm. We got to change the table to one of our choice. we got some small appetizers, some miniature baguettes and butter. Two servants were always available and more were called when we needed. They brought drinks right away and took the time to explain everything on the menu. They were very well trained and always smiling. We started with Artichoke salad and cured salmon. Both were very good prepared with good quality ingredients. For main I took the braised beef cheek (my favorite beef cut) and it was without a doubt the best I've ever had. The caramelised shallots on the side were heavenly! It was served a little bit cold (Maybe 2 minutes late) but it was not a big deal. My girlfriend took the pork belly which was also very good, but the skin was not as crispy as I would prefer but again the caramelised shallots, sauce and caviar eggplant made up for that. For dessert, I took the hazelnut chocolate with vanilla cream, which was as good as it can be (very simple dessert), while my girlfriend took the coconut frappe with exotic fruits (mango and maracuja :P) sorbet, which was absolutely amazing. I got a complementary coffee at the end and it was the best I had in France! (the coffee was normal but I really missed good coffee in France) After all I was really satisfied. Being a big fan of Gordon Ramsay I had very high expectations and I was not disappointed. I suggest you pay it a visit especially for a nice...

Eh reasonably let down.

Food: Overpriced, expectedly, but still. Fantastic though! But $18 for 3 pieces of Asparagus sounds.... off; Dinner: Veal osso buco was under salted but fantastic otherwise. Amuse bouche and chef's touch were great!

Atmosphere: Sublime. Although very hot and stuffy the almost summer day I went.

Service: This is where I was very let down considering it is supposedly a Waldorf Astoria hotel (more thoughts on this, separately). I noted variation in Service. Was forgotten to order wine when I did say to come back so I could choose one, likely would have had more if he had responded promptly initially. But the frustrating part was watch him quickly serve the other tables and offer tastes of the wine before pouring which is customary. Wiped off every table except for mine prior to serving the next course.

I was kind and under dressed (sometimes on purpose out of curiosity as to the variation in Service I'll get) but not quite befitting of a Waldorf.

If this was a restaurant in the town, sure 5 stars, but it does not hold a Waldorf reputation and ultimately brings my attitude down of the hotel.

Also there was cork in my wine which isn't always preventable but ha didn't help. And it was a light over pour compared to...

We were dining at the chef's table, and we had an amazing experience watching the cooking crew cooking our food. The head chef was amazing, and he had so much dedication to make every single dish. Every single dish was made by so much love, and every ingredient was placed one by one on a dish by the head chef and his assistant. I was so amazed by the whole process. It was a phenomenal experience watching such an amazing chef placing the food. I felt every single dish is a piece of art, painted by the chef. I think they should broadcast the kitchen to the whole restaurant so everyone could see how much dedication goes to every single dish. The food itself tastes very good, and I was always very surprised that with usual ingredient one could make such amazing combinations that go so well together. The whole cooking crew was very professional. I wish only if the service could improve a bit and they would be a bit...