Martel Bistro & Bar — Restaurant in Fairfield

The food is really good in this quaint French bistro, and they don't skimp on the liquor in the cocktails when you eventually get it. I had been so very pleased to find that a French restaurant existed in my town, I just moved into the area two years ago, so I'm still exploring my culinary options. That said, I prefer my meal without a side of attitude.

On Saturday [May 13] night, my sister and I decided to give Martel a try. We waited at the bar, and we were the only two people standing there while the others were seated and already served. The bartender Natasha did not acknowledge our presence, though she saw us. A gentleman came up to the bar, and she immediately asked him what he wanted to order. I let her know that we had been waiting to be served. He apologized for skipping over us. She didn't.

I don't know if he was flustered because it was busy, but the big, tall gentleman whom I suspect is the owner displayed a brusque, impatient, and unwelcoming manner.

We were fortunate enough to be seated next to friends, the only pleasant thing that happened there as we proceeded to wait for 15/20 minutes. When a wait staff member came to clear up their crusted dishes, we asked if she would be serving us. She looked her nose down and smirked a sarcastic "no" at me.

Finally, our server Esteban came along. The first thing out of his mouth was not "Hi, my name is Estaban. I'll be....". It was "I came to ask for your order but you were talking." He did not. The place is so small, we couldn't have missed him coming to the table. Not for nothing, he was wearing a mohawk. How could I have missed THAT?

We ran out of water, and he didn't refill until we waved him down. I wanted another drink, but since he didn't return to check on our progress, I never got to ask. I got the bill, and that was it.

It seemed like the place was filled with regulars, I had hoped to become a regular, however I'll chose to spend my money where I am respected,...

I think it's under new ownership for a few years now. Same small tables, tiny place, long waits on busy days; good food. This place has never been really affordable, but, boy, prices have become steep. We just paid $123 for two persons, and we only had soup (French Onion Gratinee, very tasty) and the specials of the day (scallops and a beef stew), no drinks, and no desert. For that kind of money we expect prime service, the full extra mile, table cloth, a table that fits everything comfortably, candle light, soft general lighting (lights were flickering), at least filtered tap water if you can't serve cheap regular bottled water that costs you 50 cents, some soft materials to cut down on the noise (can be very loud in there) and we don't want to hear a "Are you guys done?" and "I'll take care of that for you, guys". The regular water is cold tap water as it comes out of the faucet, chlorine taste. Not something I would expect for a $100+ dinner for two, without frills. Please clean up the parking around the building too, there are pot holes and your dumpsters are not nice thing to display, when...

Cold, overcooked branzino, rubbery steak with congealed au poivre sauce, undercooked chicken with microwaved vegetables, the list of inferior quality foods go on and on at Martel. Those are not the only things you'll get at Martel - you'll also be served racist comments and a hefty side of unprofessionalism.

Marty, the socially awkward and racist owner of this cramped, dingy, out-dated restaurant, would benefit from customer service and diversity training. I heard him yell, "We don't want your kind," after a customer gently gave him feedback on how he inappropriately handled a large party that lingered a bit too long after a 50th birthday dinner. I witnessed him dismiss the customer, who apparently has just paid a 4-digit bill for the dinner. Math, Marty, math: even if the party stayed all night, you would still be winning.

Tonight was my first meal out in a very long time during the pandemic, but I'm ashamed I was ever a patron this...