Underhill B.
Yelp
I had high expectations for Ladurée on the Champs-Élysées, given its worldwide reputation for luxury and fine dining. The décor and building were truly magnificent--elegant, sophisticated, and perfectly Parisian. The food itself was as good as you would expect, although the prices were outrageously high. I assumed this was for the service and experience, but I couldn't have been more wrong.
The hostess was sweet and professional, setting what I thought would be a pleasant tone for the rest of the meal. That's where the positives ended. Our server, who was apparently named Sarah (according to our receipt), was shockingly rude and hostile from the moment she approached our table. She had round, thin-framed glasses and brown hair clipped up, and her attitude was one of sheer disdain. She rolled her eyes, crossed her arms, and quite literally slammed the menu on the table when I asked simple questions. She was directly and obviously trying to glare me down. Her aggressive body language and eye-rolling were so blatant that I had to turn to my husband and ask, "Are you seeing this too? Is something wrong?" We were both bewildered.
It felt like we were being punished for simply existing in her section. Her behavior was so unprofessional that I was on the verge of leaving, but when I made a point of speaking loudly about it to my husband--loud enough for her to hear--her attitude very slightly improved. However, the damage was done, and the rest of the experience was completely ruined. This is supposed to be a high-end, luxurious dining experience, yet I've received better service at McDonald's. Sarah didn't just disrespect us, she disrespected herself and the restaurant with her utter lack of dignity. How does someone like her get hired at an establishment of this caliber? It's mind-boggling.
On top of all this, the menu stated my brunch order came with two sides, but thanks to her unbearable demeanor, I forgot to follow up, and I ended up with a sad, plain omelette. So not only was the service atrocious, but I didn't even get the meal I ordered.
Time is precious, especially when on vacation. Choosing where to dine is part of the experience, and this was an absolute waste--of time, money, and energy. Save yourself the frustration and avoid this place unless you enjoy being treated with contempt at exorbitant prices.