Le Pain Quotidien — Restaurant in New York

I am a frequent Le Pain guest. I was at LPQ the other day waiting for my order to be delivered to my table. I always sit at a table and am accommodated by a server. During this time I overheard quests saying the large community table will be taken away. I'm not sure if that's a rumor or truth. If this is for real it's a very poor decision of management. Why?

First of all, the original owner, Alain Coumont, came up with this idea after visiting a local flea market, he found a long table and purchased it so guests could sit, eat, and communicate together. It became Le Pain Quotidien's first communal table and a place for guests who bought at the counter and those who ordered from the servers. What about respect for tradition?

The idea of a communal table has been seen everywhere from Southeast Asian street food to Irish pubs and German Taverns. It sends a very clear message that our restaurant is a place of social gathering and it conveys a sense of comfort and tradition, as if dining in someone’s home.

Second, when I was there a party of ten arrived and were seated at the community table and they ordered from a server. So, what happens when this table is gone? The servers would then need to push tables together, disturb other guests, and if the tables that were unoccupied were all over the place, it would be an unfortunate experience for everyone.

Third, I have seen a multitude of guests order at the counter who are directed to the community table so that the other tables are serviced by the staff. So, what happens if it's removed? They are told you can purchase, but you have to leave. There is no room in the inn for you! I'm sure those loyal guests won't come back after they're told "you have to leave with your counter purchase". Would you? I wouldn't!

Be true to loyal customers, not...

I'm not even sure where to begin but, certainly, food and atmosphere are great: rustic and consistently fresh. But I had an experience there that I'm still processing. I had left my invisalign retainer wrapped in a dirty napkin on the table the other day. Even worse, the invisalign is as advertised, clear plastic.

I ran back to get it and when I arrived they said that they had already changed out the trash. My heart sank. I asked them to please check their trash anyway and they did. They spent about 15 minutes rummaging through the trash trying to find some invisible retainers. They couldn't find them but I was glad that they took the time to check.

About 3 hours later, I got a message from my friend who I had lunch with there. I don't exactly know how they got into contact with him. But someone reached out and told my friend that they had found my retainer! Someone actually went through the trash again, found my retainer, searched for my friend's contact (I think they ended up googling her name, the wife, because she owned a business and sent her an obscure dm.)

Those retainers are hella-expensive! Not to mention, I was going to lose half the day just going to the dentist in an emergency appointment. And, like, who does that?? Who goes through the trash again even though it seemed like it was simply sitting in a dumpster when they had changed out their trash. Like, why do that?? I couldn't believe it. It really made me think about things.

So, God bless that person. God bless that place. Thank you thank...

Yummy date night proposal with a new friend presented us with a culinary experience not too distant from the swamps of Louisiana.

Crawfish Etouffee and Jambalaya was on tonight's menu.

Decor: When you walk in, it's hard to tell whether you are at a neighborhood bar or your cat lady aunt's kitchen. A very cozy & eclectic feel here at Sugar Freak lending to the down-home feeling!

We were sat at a table near the back of the quaint restaurant. Our place mats? You guessed it; pictures of all of our nation's presidents with Mr. Obama right in the middle. Again, just like at auntie's house! LOL

Waitress was friendly and food came to the table quickly.

Dinner:The Crawfish Etouffee had a viscous consistency and a soft oceanic taste. It was lightly seasoned but had a bit of heat on the back end. You could taste the fresh cracked pepper. The Jambalaya was the star of the night. It lead to a speechless evening as we enjoyed our meal! The Jambalaya also lay atop a bean puree textured tomato based "sauce". I put the quotes because I'm not really sure. What I was sure about was that it was dog-gone good.

A great meal cooked by your crazy cat lady aunt that knows how to throw down in the kitchen.

Now, before I go, let me not forget to mention the fried banana pudding. A frozen ball of sweet creamy goodness, battered in funnel cake and fried to perfection. Needless to say, it was a delicious ending to a phenomenal meal. Thank you Sugar Freak... why are you called...