Place Pigalle — Restaurant in Seattle

I never thought I would be writing a review of this nature in my life but my experience the other day is one that I cannot ignore. As an American born, 1st generation of 2 legal immigrants to the US citizen of the United States, I have NEVER been made to feel like an immigrant or racially profiled in the manner that my friends and I were yesterday at Place Pigalle in Pike Market,.

My 2 friends and I made a reservation for noon on 12/28 for a post-holiday catch up. As we were eating, everything was pretty standard and nothing out of the norm. We were talking, laughing, and reflecting on our past year like the rest of the patrons in the restaurant. In the middle of our conversation, about 30 minutes in to our time at this 4.5 start rated restaurant (which adds to my shock value as I would have expected much better behavior than what we experienced), Tina (which I would soon to learn from another server was the actual manager) leaned over my shoulder and very curtly said "Excuse me. Can you please keep it down over here". No additional explanation, no context, and definitely not in a tone that was appropriate. I was so shocked and confused that it took me a moment to regain my composure, rendering me unable to have any response to Tina's very abrupt and rude interjection. My friends asked me what was said and I clued them in. They were both aghast. Yes, we are two Indians and an Asian, yes our culture is more animated than others, but by no means were being loud. In full disclosure, I can talk very loudly, but being with two of my best friends, they have always told me so when that was occurred. Being in the far back corner table of the restaurant, with no patrons in the table beside us, both of my friends agreed that we were not being any louder than the table of two white women (relevant as you read further) that we could hear 4 tables away but never dawned on us to complain.

Being very upset, I asked another server, not realizing who Tina was at this point, to speak to a manager. Much to our dismay, Tina showed up as the manager on duty. I informed her that I thought her comment and execution of the message was very rude and there were many different ways of delivering that message. Instead of acknowledging our expressed feelings, her response was "well, I said excuse me and the other table was complaining. This is NOT the type of ambiance we are trying to portray in this restaurant." At that point, my friends and I looked around us when she said "ambiance". Everyone in the restaurant was talking, jovial, and enjoying themselves. It was at that moment that we ALSO realized that we were the ONLY non-white patrons of the restaurant. That's when it dawned on all of us. We weren't being asked to be quiet simply because we were being "loud", it was because we are minorities who were obviously being profiled as immigrants and didn't "fit in" to what the white "ambiance" of the restaurant was. I was further perplexed and annoyed at her reaction and simply stopped talking. It was at that point she offered the most insincere "I'm sorry if you took offense to that." Again, not an apology as that statement puts the blame on me, the person who "took offense." We very much so would have walked out of the restaurant then and there, but our male waiter was great and a lovely waiter and unlike those who have no respect for others, we would never leave an unpaid bill like that. Needless to say, the experience is one that I have never imagined I would have to undergo in current times but maybe that is expected with all that is going on with our government. Needless to say, we will never frequent this establishment again nor will any in our network but more importantly, I hope that you are deeply ashamed of yourselves as regardless of what you may say to justify your comments or behavior, the perception has very...

This place was a nightmare and the service was UNACCEPTABLE.

I was in Seattle for a weekend trip and had a tiring day of walking and exploring. Staying close to the Public Market seemed like a good idea so we picked Place Pigalle based on the Yelp reviews and pictures. I honestly picked this place to have a view of the ferris wheel during dinner. Lesson learned -- don't book reservations for any restaurants near the most touristy spot of any city.

Ambiance: As soon as we walked into the restaurant, we knew we had made a mistake in booking this place. It looked old and dark with cheesy, outdated artwork (the kind you find at Pier 21 home furnishing stores). Quite the disappointment as every other restaurant, cafe, coffee shop we visited throughout the weekend had beautifully and thoughtfully designed spaces. I felt like I was in an old nursing home's dining area. Want to kill my mood? Look like this place during meal time.

Service: We were seated at the smallest table in the restaurant...it was a table for ants. This really should have been reserved for people who planned to have dinner alone. Oh, and our waiter smelled like cigarettes.

Food: The menu didn't have anything special; it had the usual items particular to sea town restaurants. We had already decided to share a dish as soon as we were seated to save room for a second dinner at Shiro. We didn't want to be the rude guests who change their minds and leave without actually trying the food. I ordered escargot to start with and the bouillabaisse for the entree.

First of all, why were my snails not in their shells? Second of all, the seasoning was sub-par and all I could taste was cheap butter. I'm not an escargot connoisseur, but I've ordered escargot in a multitude of places, including France, so this isn't my first rodeo and these were an utter disappointment. Flavors were poorly balanced and the bread they served alongside didn't go well with the dish.

The bouillabaisse was bland, flavors were not well rounded, and the seafood was not fresh. For a restaurant RIGHT ABOVE Pike Place Market, I expected a richer, heartier broth with seafood cooked to near perfection. Not something that tastes like it was boiled together with tomato paste in 20 minutes.

Lastly, the server came around to both tables on either side of us to ask how they were doing, each time skipping our table. Um.....I need my water refilled to wash down this bouillabaisse. We were charged an automatic 18% gratuity for a party of TWO. What?!?? Not that I wasn't going to tip my usual 20% regardless, but doing so without my consent? UNACCEPTABLE.

I normally eat out 90% of the time and try new restaurants every weekend ($-$$$$); I know my foods and I know good service. If someone told me I'd have the best doughnut of my life for $60, I'd try it, but hell, I am not down with a crappy bowl of soup and escargot done wrong for $60.

Skip this place if you'd like to be treated with respect and courtesy like any normal guest would at any business related to...

Atmosphere Place Pigalle is an excellent choice to unwind and have a luxurious evening. The dimed lights and lit candles glowing throughout the dining room instantly set the mood. The maitre d' and service staff are very welcoming, charming, and hospitable. Only a moment after you're seated, the endulating music rolls at a low volume between beautiful chatter from patrons and washes over you. The scenic view of Elliot Bay from nicely sized windows includes the Seattle Great Wheel and Harbour cruise easing to and fro.

Dinner My waitress was patient and kind as I tried a few wines to decide what to have with dinner. I really enjoyed the seared Duck and Rabbit pate. The consistency with the baguette service alongside pate was off. The bread served with the pate was room temp. The second round, which came at the perfect moment, was warmed. I'd come missing Paris and was looking forward to a fresh French baguette. But it was an American recipe that included semolina. It was, however, baked locally.

I was served a generous portion of the Northwest Bouillabaisse. The Saffron Tomato Broth was brilliant!

Excellent pacing of service! If you enjoy the pace of a course meal, you will love the attention Place Pigall pays to the natural progression of the meal at each table. I came about 10 minutes late to the last reservation time slot for the evening, but I was welcomed as if I were the first person through the door. I wasn't rushed to finish in any way. The staff are very hospitable. It was as if I'd come to a friend's home for dinner. I really enjoyed my evening. I will be back again the next time I'm in Seattle.

Getting there I came while on a business trip. Although Place Pigalle is only a 25 min trip from the Sea-Tac area, I found uber and lyft to be expensive; so, I chose to take the Light Rail. I don't regularly take public transportation. I found the system safe, easy to purchase a ticket (kiosk) and navigate. I took Line 1 to University and a quick 6 min walk to the restaurant. If guided by Google Maps, this walk does include a manageable incline.

I was grateful for the table right next to a window. I came just in time to watch the sunset over Elliot Bay. My seat by the was situated next to the bartender's work area. That comes with light traffic and the conversation of those sitting at the bar traveling in your direction. But it was still a nice evening.

Things to consider The Google menu prices are outdated. I found the actual prices to be about $10 more. I chose this eatery because of the "locally sourced French fare & Puget Sound views." The view was indeed exquisite. However, the baguette wasn't traditional French. It's an American recipe that includes semolina. It was fair, but due to the description of the food, I hoped a...