La Provence Boulangerie & Patisserie — Restaurant in Beaverton

My opinion comes from knowing La Provence as a regular customer about 8 years ago and from my travels to restaurants around the world (France, England, Germany, India, Peru). Other countries really get the food and service RIGHT. And La Provence used to, if I remember correctly. I used to love it. It was a special breakfast for me and my kids about once a month.

Today was a disappointment. The three hostesses looked like they would rather be somewhere else. They were not friendly, inviting nor smiling. We only waited 15 minutes despite the busyness at 10:30 on a Sunday morning. They were busy! When it was time to seat us, the hostess walked off and left us behind, not matching our pace nor allowing us to keep up with her as she disappeared around the corner. People traffic was cutting us off and preventing us from keeping up with her and she didn’t even care to look back or adjust her distance. That’s just basic hostess manners to make sure you are walking with the people as you lead them to their seat. She left the menus at the table and just walked off before we had joined her. It was a crappy table for two with one chair stuck between someone’s occupied chair and the wall and the corner. The other chair was in the foot traffic for the bathroom. I understand it was a busy time for the restaurant but I’m not sure there should even be a table wedged right there in that location.

We went to the counter to order a pastry and she gave it to us in a to-go bag and cold. We asked for it to be warmed up for the table which she did, however the pastry stayed in a bag (not plated) and she must have “warmed” it up for about 2 minutes because the raspberry jam burned the roof of my husbands mouth. He told her that warming it up for enjoyable eating temperature would only be 10-20 seconds in the microwave, which would be common sense. You don’t want to burn your patrons or overcook their pastry in the microwave. That’s common sense too.

My breakfast came with a croissant and although it came with jam in a small crockery, it didn’t come with butter. What European restaurant wouldn’t be serving butter? And the best butter at that?! So I asked for some butter and imagined it would come in a small crockery maybe even fresh and whipped for spreading because they are advertising themselves as a French restaurant, but what I didn’t imagine was the little squares of hard cold tiny pats of butter in a little square that you peel the lid off of and aren’t able to spread it on a soft flaky croissant. So the butter is useless. And it is much like you’d find in any North American diner across the USA, nothing fancy and even annoying, when you can’t spread it. My eggs Provençal were very bland and absolutely no presentation of the plate with the potatos and squash clumped haphazardly to one side leaving a gaping 1/3 empty space in the plate. Too much paprika on the potatos made them very red but flavor fell flat. This restaurant boasts fresh squeezed juices such as Carrot Orange juice on their menu, so in the past I would ask for Apple Carrot juice, which they gladly did every time, even though it was “off menu”. Today, the answer was “we can’t do that”. Didn’t even try to find out if they could. I think La Provence needs to step up their game especially in terms of hospitality and service to justify their prices and claims of being French. The menu items look delectable, different, and intriguing only to be disappointed in the entire experience.

The South Store Cafe further down Scholls Ferry has a much better experience, quaint decor, and delicious homemade food… hands down the best pastries. But once they sell out then it’s out for the day. I think La Provence could...

There's absolutely no denying. This has delicious food here and the service is impeccable. The waitresses and waiters are friendly. The presentation of the food is very nice. The interior atmosphere for the most part is nice. Unfortunately they didn't know I was there to give a review as this is my first time in a long time being there. I had a friend meeting me there about 20 minutes after I arrived. I asked for a table of two. There was a waiting line so I waited for a few minutes and then they asked if I prefer it inside or outside and being April even though they had heaters outside I chose inside which I am very happy I did. They proceeded to seat me underneath the stairs next to garage doors that were going outside. The garage doors were closed to keep the heat in. It was also next to there service station where dirty dishes and other supplies were kept which they had behind a black curtain that was only half closed. So I proceeded to eat my meal looking about a foot away from some dirty dishes. That brought it down one star for me right there. Unfortunately, as I looked up at the stairs above me which were only a few feet above me, cobwebs were there that look like they had probably been there for over a year. Things hanging from the cobwebs. I actually physically moved my table a little forward because I thought some stuff might fall right on my table. They absolutely should not have a table there. 100% no. The rest of the interior look to be sufficient for seating. Some booth, some open tables. The outdoor section was barely above adequate. It was still post covid type with filthy dirty plastic sheeting for walls, picnic tables and some other tables. Mix matched with some stand up heaters. The waiters and waitresses did not serve the area as often as inside just because it was more difficult to get to so people out there. I saw continually waving their hands to get people's attention. I have to admit my server underneath the stairs was above average and checked on me constantly and I could have asked for a new table but I thought this is what I got and that's what I was going to stay with 99 times out of 100. I'd probably had a better table and this would have received four stars at least. A little bit overpriced. I thought for the portions received but again it was very good food and fresh bakeries items. I wouldn't go out of my way to go here but I would go back if I was...

After a 40 minute wait to be seated while waiting outside. The lovely staff escorted us back outside to an outdoor seated area. Yeahhh !!! That was a surprise. On a lovely 45 degree day in the wet, rainy, cold state of Oregon. Mind you I had a light sweeter on, Not a jacket. I was looking forward to warming up. That’s what I get for thinking. Did I also mention I had My 6 month pregnant future daughter daughter in. Newly introduced fiancé to my daughter who just flew In From Utah with us. We were seated outside in the cold with a so called heater. Freezing our azzzz off. No joke!!!! We could see our breath. The first thing they do is serve us ice water. I thought it was a joke. Apparently not!!! No compliments coffee or hot chocolate. Hand warmer. Blankets. Hats or jackets. Just Ice water. The waiter did ask if I wanted just a glass of water after pointing out the not so funny joke. Lol. OMG!!! As we are waiting for our drinks and food. I wrapped my self inside my sons hoodie like a cocoon. attempting to get feeling back in my legs and arms. As I look down. I noticed we had a guest come join us. Yes that’s right a guest. Their pet mouse!! A Fu?&@$ mouse. Running around under all the tables. As other guest start to notice, the staff comically and sadly failed to catch the mouse with a to go box. As the mouse got away. The staff looked in the direction Of the guest and the same direction of the mouse. Eyes wide open. Mouth to the ground. They quickly turn away and steadfastly walk away as if they knew nothing. Allowing the mouse to join us gain. Fun times. Best part is the food came out hot but that lasted for w 60 seconds before the lovely Oregon Cold rested upon our food. Paid 200.00 for the cold, mouse infested meal. Only to be told. There is an automatic 18% service /tip charge already applied. WHAT!!! Didn’t think it could get any worse. So I called the manager to file a complaint. That was a short conversation. In short. Yep we know we have mice. We have Orcan out and we have mouse traps. It’s to be expected with outside dinning. Offered us a gift card to come back. I laughed and said I was never coming back. I was going to make it my goal to post reviews everywhere about there lovely establishment. So if you like long waits, Sitting in the cold? Eating with the local mice, paying outrageous prices with an automatic 18% non negotiable charge. This...