French Market Grille West — Restaurant in Georgia

We have been to this restaurant many times where the quality and service was better. Latest experience left such a bad taste in us that we have to post and advise others.

Called to make a reservation for a Friday night (May 27, 2022) for 3 people. Was told they do not take reservations for parties of that size. OK, we figured we would still go and just wait. Upon arriving, we were told they could seat us at a half booth and half table. We walked right by an empty booth and we inquired is this booth available? Was told no, it is reserved. There were 2 place settings and 2 menus on the table. We inquired again about reservations and the hostess seemed to not hear us or even care that we were making an inquiry. We sat right next to the booth and thought well maybe there will be a party of 4 that sits there. No, it was a husband and wife only. So not sure who you have to be to get reservations but I find it odd that the playing field does not seem to be consistent with all employees and patrons.

We ordered an appetizer of fried green tomatoes. The server returned to the table to inform us that other patrons have indicated that the tomatoes had some red spots on them and asked if we still wanted. We indicated if it's just some spots that would be fine. They arrived and they were completely red ripened tomatoes that had been battered and fried. There was not even any green spots on them. We pointed it out to the server who replied well I told you what they told me. She never offered to remove them or offer a discount.

All 3 of us ordered the West Bank Duo - for the most part it was consistent as past visits with the exception of the Bernaise sauce. The sauce arrived in a small container that was 1/2 filled (have photo's if anyone is interested in seeing). So glad we ordered additional Bernaise sauce (which was an additional fee) so that we could receive a full serving.

Ordered bread pudding with chantilly cream. Now mind you we order this every time we come to this restaurant, we know what it is supposed to taste like. We advised the server again that the chantilly cream did not taste quite right and had a strange smell and after taste. We believed it to be sour, she said she would let someone know. I don't know who she advised or if she advised anyone. Again, there was no apology or offer of any sort of discount. Today we are making a dessert at home - we pulled out our heavy cream and it had spoiled. It smelled just like the chantilly cream that we were served Friday night.

The entire restaurant appeared to know the couple that had received a reservation for reserved seating, multiple servers and managers stopped at the booth next to ours and chit chatted. It left long time patrons as us within ear shot of all of this feeling less than appreciated.

Our total bill was over $160.00 for sub par food and service. Not to mention the unfriendliness of attempting to make a reservation to be told we don't accept reservations for small parties yet we saw for ourselves upon arriving at the restaurant that apparently they do accept reservations. We have noticed inconsistencies on several other visits post Covid which is not an excuse for any of the issues we experienced or have posted about in this review. These patrons will take their business elsewhere if Friday is an indication of what is acceptable by French Market Grille West management...

The food was really good. It was not super busy when we arrived, but when we left around 6.pm. there was a line.

We had a group of 6, and after we ate and paid, we were patiently waiting because my mom wanted desert to go, and they needed to redo the check.

This took maybe all an extra 20 minutes. With that said. I rarely complain or gripe on my reviews.

Again, grant you there was a small wait Saturday evening, as we waited for the desert and the check to be redone the Manger must have come to our table at least 4 or 5 times in 15-20 minute time span.

We had separate checks, and he grabbed ours and rang it up. The receipt the waitress had taken to redo with the desert he brought back for us to pay

Didn't let us explain that the waitress had taken the receipt to add the dessert.

As we were getting up to leave, here comes the manager again to thank us for coming. And followed us to the door.

The reason I bring this up is because this poor customer service, and we have never had poor customers, and we come here often.

I'm giving customer service a 3 because our waitress did a very good job considering how busy the restaurant was getting as the evening progressed

Atmosphere 4

Food 5

Price Point...

New to area and trusted the reviews. Hadnt had Etoufee since I lived in Metairie, LA! Ordered delivery for the first time. The order was missing 2 slices of peanut butter pie - okay, an oversight.. They sent Salmon Salad instead of Smoked Salmon appetizer - okay, an error or miscommunication. My Crawfish Etoufee was entirely inedible. I took one bite. Made my sister taste it so she would know I was not exaggerating. Tossed the $18 meal directly in the trash. The gumbo ( which I'd planned to save for lunch) tasted like burnt roux and NOTHING else. Bites of seafood only tasted like burnt roux. Trashed. The Shrimp Creole was so nice. The side salads were crisp. My portion of this meal was over $50. Never again. *Update - Management will write a CHECK, which we have to go back to pick up, for the 2 pieces of missing pie. No resolution on the wrong order or inedible orders. Please BEWARE. The other diner used her card or I would be talking to my credit union. * I realize I should have packed the entire meal and taken it back. During the call, the woman did not suggest returning it, either. She did say "Sorry you had that experience" before DISCONNECTING the call. Sad...