La Provence — Restaurant in Ambler

The average Google review of 4.6/5 is well-deserved based on past performances. We, along with most of our friends who live in the Ambler area, had considered La Provence one of the best restaurants in Philadelphia. Otherwise, the area is devoid of superstar chefs. My wife and I have been there countless times. Their own convenient parking lot is another plus, especially in parking-starved Ambler.

But something is wrong now! The reception greeter and waiters were pleasant and initially professional. It's the food and kitchen service that has a problem. Several weeks ago, there was a long wait for our food. The tuna tartare was dreadful. The tuna was too finely ground and cut with more onion and other vegetables, rendering it almost tasteless. Fortunately, the portion was so small – like a slight dip of ice cream – that I did not have to suffer too much. It was throwing away $26. My duck was undercooked and fatty. I should have sent it back, but we had waited so long for our main course, I did the best I could to eat about a square inch of cooked, non-fatty residual.

Being a loyal customer, I recognize that everyone is entitled to a bad night, but not two in a row. Last night was dreadful. The waits for each course were longer. Mea culpa! Forgetting how bad it was, my wife and I shared the 1 1/2 inch ball of tuna tartare. Imagine how awful it was if neither of us finished out specks. I ordered medium-rare salmon. After a few tastes, I realized it was raw, not rare, which I would have eaten – raw. My experience as a waiter informed me not to return food; however, I couldn't eat the ample-sized fish before me. I had to send it back for more fire. The runner finally brought it after I waited an inexcusable 20 minutes when everyone else was finished their mains. The replacement was a new piece of rare salmon, still partly raw. The original vegetable and mashed potatoes were ice-cold. All the chef had to do was put the whole plate in the microwave for three minutes. My wife's trout, once our favorite dish at La Provence, was dry and tasteless, unlike the previous recipe. No one apologized or came back to the table to see if everything was OK. It wasn't! So I am telling you now, $140 later, you won't be...

Our first visit to La Provence was a perfect date night in Ambler, and it left us utterly impressed! La Provence exudes class and style from the moment you step through its doors and you are graciously welcomed with the owner Cindy's inviting smile. Additionally, the culinary experience and service are top notch. We started with a fresh Spinach Salad that set the tone for what was to come. The salad was a true delight showcasing the chef's dedication to using only the freshest ingredients. Next we had the Perfect French Onion Soup as my date described it, a classic done to absolute perfection. The rich, savory broth paired perfectly with the sweet caramelized onions and gooey cheese. Next, the Pork Belly was melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness cooked to a perfect balance of crispy skin and tender meat, sweet and savory. For the main course, I opted for the special addition, pan seared Turbo with a light Garlic Cream Sauce and my date had the Bone-In Pork Chop. The Turbo was a true showstopper, cooked to tender perfection and bathed in a luscious garlic cream sauce that left me craving more with each bite. The Bone-In Pork Chop was boasting a succulent interior and a crispy exterior with cracked pepper corn that showcased the chef's skill and attention to detail. We ended the evening with the Caramel Cheesecake, a perfect conclusion to a stellar meal. The creamy cheesecake was complemented by a rich caramel sauce, caramel laced crust, caramel swirl throughout and a chantilly whip cream. Our visit was nothing short of exceptional. From the elegant decor to the impeccable service by DelRoy, his support staff and, most importantly, the outstanding cuisine by Chef Manuel, every aspect of the dining experience was top-notch. Thank you Chef Manuel, Cindy and Delroy for the perfect...

Over priced food for the quality. Waiters were undertrained and didn’t know their own specials menu. They kept knocking over glasses while pouring our drinks. Escargot were clearly microwaved. Steak was raw (asked for medium rare), asked to send it back and said I didn’t want another. They tossed my steak on the grill and brought it back. Duck was dry. French fries were good and crispy though. Incredibly slow service. Waited an hour for apps then another hour for entrees. Disappointing for the price tag

Edit to the owner: I arrived to the reservation on time and was gracious to everyone involved; even leaving a generous tip. The timeline you mentioned is not true. I cannot speak to the actions or tardiness of others that were in my party, which I do admit may have been inappropriate. The apps did take about an hour to come out, what did take 15 min to come out was the bread and butter. That being said, there is a reason your wait staff kept apologizing for the waits and the mishaps (did not even mention having water spilled on me by one of the younger gentleman); I did not offer anyone any work, that was another individual you seem to be confusing me with. There’s a reason the escargot were all different temperatures with every bite raging from scalding hot to cold. Your experienced waiter of 30 years had to pull out a scroll book with the specials, scrolled thru, couldn’t find the specials, then apologized saying “oh they’re just changing so much”. Take responsibility for your staff and learn to improve rather than getting defensive. A simple apology goes a very long way. Saying “stick to diners” is incredibly inappropriate to someone who spent $500 at your restaurant yet received worse service...