Bistrot Pierre - Mumbles Swansea — Restaurant in Wales

My partner and I were staying here at the mumbles, and I came across Bistrot Pierre by the amount of star rating reviews it had. First impression of the place…. WOW! Beautiful setting and a lovely modern interior, only thing that let it down on arrival was the young lady who was on the door greeting everyone and getting the ok through her headphone before sending customers upstairs to the restaurant. she was awfully rude. Made no conversation with us while we waited to go upstairs, just stood behind her desk with an absolute face on her - it was horribly awkward! She didn’t smile once and was avoiding eye contact, and then told us to go up once our table was ready. Do not put someone on a greeting point if they have zero interest. This let the place down more than us having to send our food back…. So that really says something, doesn’t it?! Once we were upstairs, the staff were wonderful! All working very hard, and I could definitely point out two males, who were either the owner / manager or assistant manager, maybe? They both were very efficient and not letting anything slip. All waiters / waitresses were lovely, they all definitely had a system of how they worked. Unfortunately, we had to send our beef bourginion back, as the mash was stone cold, I really didn’t want to because the service was amazing and I didn’t want to complain as the dish overall was very impressive. I didn’t even need to call someone over in the first 5 minutes as the owner / manager came over to do a check-back on us and that’s where I had to ask if the mash was meant to be cold? As I wasn’t sure if it were a “french thing”. He couldn’t believe it, and seemed truly apologetic and somewhat embarrassed that we were having to send it back. He was very professional and stated that nobody should have to send their food back whilst having a meal out and being served upon. Everything came back out re-done and piping hot. Say no more. As for desert, we ordered the creme brûlée…. Delicious!! Once we finished it, the manager came over and asked us if we enjoyed it, and with enthusiasm we said yes, he looked at our empty dish and said to us that it was on the house, and that again he was very sorry about our main meals. You couldn’t ask for better service, and to be acknowledged and remembered, as it gets almost forgotten in restaurants these days! We will definitely be visiting again! Had such a wonderful evening here....

This restaurant is situated on mumbles sea front with full view of the bay. There is both indoor, and terrace seating. The decor and furnishings are very pleasant, and are situated within a large bright airy room. The food was superb, and there is plenty of choice which I believe changes often giving good reason to revisit. BP have a 5 course dining experience two days per month for the next few months for around £25 per person, and there is no reduction in the quality of the food for this quite remarkable price. I have booked a further 5 visits to date, and do not expect these to be my last.

Update for end of August 22. 4th visit in last month or two. Total opposite of previous experiences. The floor manager we are used to seeing was not there resulting in less organisation. The staff were less organised, seemed under pressure, and not very attentive. Not a smile to be seen all evening. Obtaining a drink was not easy. First drinks orders were taken when seated at our table. These took an age to arrive. We were not approached again this evening for drinks orders, and had to try very hard to obtain attention, and order drinks. The soup was bitter, and I left it. Calamari I left also as the coating was unpleasant trying to be different. Beef bourguignon for main course. This was awful. Returned the full meal. I am aware others complained about this dish. We happened to know a group of diners, and they were not happy. Desert for me was, due to personal taste, too sweet, and sickly, and was returned. By the time we obtained the cheese course.I was no longer in the mood for food, and tasted a small portion of blue cheese, finding the second cheese supplied a tad salty. My wife ordered a quite pleasant non alcohol drink upon being seated. Finding it pleasant we, when we eventually caught the staffs attention, ordered a couple of the same. What EVENTUALLY appeared was a different colour, and was a totally different flavour. During all of this not one member of staff asked how our food was, despite four and a half courses being returned practically untouched. One imagines therefor that the staff lack training, or do not care. I guess also that the chef did not notice his food being unwanted. All in all a poor dining experience this evening in question. I rarely do not tip the staff. I could find no reason to do so on...

Clean and comfortable. Lots of good options on the menu. Staff were lovely, very attentive to customers and very good with dealing with food allergies. Waiting times wasn't very long, food was also lovely.

However, it is very expensive and the portions are small. I also don't approve of the 'discretionary service charge'. Although the service was great, I feel more comfortable deciding for myself when and how much I tip. It feels very rude and less personal when the tip is assumed and when it is suggested how much to tip.

I've noticed in a few responses from the owner, that they keep repeating that the service charge is discretionary and it is stated as such, but I think the owner is lacking consideration that some people feel very awkward and embarrassed when they ask for the charge to be removed. I think the whole 'just ask the server to remove it' is a cop out because I personally believe that the owner is aware that a lot of people would be too awkward to ask for the charge to be removed.

The service charge is the reason that I haven't returned. I eat out in mumbles quite regularly and I have gone to the neighbouring restaurants but I haven't returned here. At first, I thought that I'd go again but this time ask for the service charge to be removed. But I'm uncomfortable with that and if I'm going out for food, I'd rather select a place that has all the pro's that this place has, but where I won't be made to feel uncomfortable when paying. And that's what I have done since.

If the practise of the discretionary service charge was removed, I would definitely return.

Hi Scott,

I saw your response. If your objective is to improve staff morale and make working in hospitality a more desirable career prospect, I recommend that you pay your staff more. I'm sure the owner is rolling in money so perhaps he/she can take a pay cut so that their staff can be paid a...