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A Shocking Disappointment at Au Vieux Couvent: How Does This Michelin Star Stand?
As seasoned diners who frequently enjoy Michelin-starred restaurants, my wife and I approached our lunch at Au Vieux Couvent with high expectations, anticipating the exceptional quality that a Michelin star promises. Having savored a spectacular meal at another Michelin-starred restaurant just days prior, we were eager for another memorable experience. Instead, our visit to Au Vieux Couvent was a profound letdown, marked by unacceptable food, unprofessional service, and practices that call into question the legitimacy of its Michelin accolade.
The most egregious issue was the fish dish served to my wife, which was raw in the center despite being presented as fully cooked. This is not merely a culinary misstep but a serious health risk, as undercooked fish could have caused illness. Shockingly, when we pointed this out, the kitchen took back the same partially eaten pieces—a practice that raises serious concerns about hygiene and could violate health regulations. No chef or manager emerged to apologize or address the issue, a stark contrast to the attentive care we’ve experienced at other Michelin establishments.
The service was equally dismaying. As connoisseurs of fine dining, we expect a level of professionalism that Au Vieux Couvent failed to deliver. The staff, while seemingly making an effort, lacked the polish and attention to detail befitting a Michelin-starred venue. Our table was left strewn with crumbs, with no one bothering to clear them. Used, dirty silverware was left on the table for the next course, a shocking oversight for a restaurant of this caliber. The sommelier neglected to check if we wanted more wine, leaving us feeling ignored. When I raised our concerns to the sommelier, I was met with a sarcastic, condescending “thank you” and a smirk—an utterly unacceptable response for a restaurant of this supposed caliber.
The food itself was a mixed bag, far below the standards we’ve come to expect from Michelin-starred dining. Only one or two dishes approached the quality worthy of such a rating; the rest were, at best, mediocre. The desserts were particularly disappointing, overly sweet and amateurishly executed, lacking the sophistication we enjoyed at the other Michelin restaurant we visited that week. This inconsistency is baffling for a kitchen awarded such a prestigious honor.
Having enjoyed an exquisite lunch at another Michelin-starred restaurant just days earlier, where every dish was impeccably prepared and the service was flawless, we are left questioning how Au Vieux Couvent maintains its Michelin star. A Michelin star signifies excellence in both cuisine and hospitality, yet this restaurant fell short on both fronts. The negligence, unprofessionalism, and potential health violations we encountered are simply unacceptable. We strongly urge Michelin to reevaluate this establishment’s rating and caution fellow diners to temper their expectations. For those seeking a true Michelin-starred experience, look elsewhere.
