Levain and Cherry — Restaurant in Birmingham

I never write negative reviews but based on the circumstances of my interaction with the owner of Levain and Cherry, Pascal, I felt the need to do so.

Popped in on the morning of Christmas Eve. Wanted to get out of the house with my 2 babies, a 6 month old and a 21 month old and enjoy a luxury treat for the holiday. The queue was really long so decided to step away and came back an hour later when it wasn't that busy. Had my 21 month old in a pushchair and my 6 month old on my chest in a carrier. There was a gentleman in front of us that Pascal was serving and having a conversation with and a lady on the register. I asked the lady if there were any more mince pies left and she said just 1. I ordered the mince pie, a chocolate mini baguette, and 3 mini puff pastries. As I tapped my card to pay, Pascal came to the register, holding baguettes for the other customer, and said to me with what I perceived to be attitude, "we were serving this customer first." I replied that I thought since he was serving the gentleman, the lady was free to take my order. I then said I thought it was two of you serving to get to customers faster to which Pascal very exaggeratedly rolled his eyes at me.

I walked away feeling really awkward and embarrased about his response and returned to tell him that I thought he handled the situation quite rudely especially it being Christmas Eve. He very sternly and firmly said, "I'm sorry but you are the one that was rude." He then went on to tell me that I spoke over the other customer and shoved my way past him. I'm carrying a baby on my chest and a large pushchair in front of me with another baby seated in it. There's no way I would have pushed past another person with 2 babies like that and put my kids in danger. Rather both me and the other customer were hovered around the bakery display table. I told Pascal he was being rude to me as his customer and a simple recognition of the matter and an apology was all that was needed but he became extremely defensive and insisted I was the one being the problem. I began crying because of this confrontation as Pascal spoke over me insisting I was rude. Another male colleague came over and told Pascal to step away from me and the situation and told me it was ok as he saw how distressed I was. I told Pascal that he was being rude to me as a woman and a mother. He walked away from me saying, "Merci."

I really loved this bakery and I have been coming here to treat myself and make a whole day out of it around King's Heath with my babies for over a year, getting them treats too. But this experience has really changed that. I love to support small businesses and see them thrive in local communities. But I cannot in good conscience spend my money at a business whose owner so openly disrespects their customers and is unable to handle situations where appropriate customer service can impact and redirect from a negative to a positive. If Pascal had said, "I do apologize, there must have been a misunderstanding" or anything of the sort, I would have been ok.

Also need to note that it doesn't take much to show a bit of humanity and be kind to someone especially during the Christmas season. I had set out to have a memorable Christmas Eve morning with my kids and came home after a traumatic, humiliating experience at Levain and Cherry at the hands of Pascal.

I know a single customer lost and a negative review won't really impact the business here, but just based on principle I had to voice my experience and in case anyone else has went through or will go through a similar experience here in the future.

Much love, peace, blessings and Merry Christmas.

Re: response from Kate-

Dear Kate,

Thank you for your response that lacks compassion and empathy, especially coming from a woman. If you were there and saw firsthand the situation you would be aware of how disrespectful your husband was to me in front of my babies. I hope he doesn't treat you and your children like...

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