Jean-Pierre D.
Yelp
An extremely disappointing experience. Our family has celebrated mother's day at Aboyer quite regularly over the years (and I'm a fan of George Trois). But our service at the mother's day brunch this year was a horrendous disappointment - way below expectations for a restaurant of this caliber and especially price tag.
1. After receiving our round of cocktails, we waited more than 1 hour before our food arrived. Given that guests paid a deposit this year, there is no excuse for kitchen delays that long as demand was 100% predictable. When you charge a reservation deposit, there is an expectation of good service.
2. After 1 hour, I asked for baguette, which the server brought with the appetizers, defeating the whole purpose of the request. It is unacceptable to make guests wait an hour for any food (especially when drinks are on the table).
3. Before food arrived, two guests switched chairs. The server warned us this would confuse service staff and, sure enough, our table found itself exchanging incorrect appetizers and main courses. Really? When server already knows beforehand that 2 people changed seats, this cannot be communicated to staff?
4. Bottle of wine was finished by end of appetizer course. We asked to see wine list to order another bottle for main course. No-one ever brought it. After main course served, i was eventually able to flag down our server and ask once again. About 15 minutes later, the server brought the wine list when we were already halfway done. By that point, few people wanted more wine so 3 of us ordered by the glass. My glass did not arrive until after my plate was empty. No apology; no offer to comp the glass ... no nothing.
5. One guest ordered coffee which arrived cold (I can confirm). We requested another that never arrived. When bill arrived, we inquired about the coffee and the waiter brought another one, which was also cold.
6. I had left my credit card with waiter upon arrival and explained I wanted to pay discreetly and not to allow other guests to pay. Bill arrived without my card, so I had to request it. Waiter came back with my card and receipt only to start discussing the itemized expenses indiscreetly in front of all the guests (precisely what I had wanted to avoid).
7. When I arrived home, I realized the waiter had MASSIVELY under-charged. He had only billed drinks and 1 of the 7 meals. I immediately phoned the restaurant and, indeed, host confirmed the more than $500 billing error. After taking my credit card information, it was only when I jokingly pointed out they were lucky I'm honest that the host thanked me for calling.
This is supposed to be a fine dining establishment. In the past, I have had some lovely dinners and brunches at Aboyer and its adjacent dining rooms. But this service was unacceptable. At these price points, there is a minimum expectation of service. At a minimum, an apology for the sub-part service would have been appropriate (e.g., manager apologizes to table). In other restaurants, I have been comped for considerably more benign service failures.
VERY DISAPPOINTING AND VERY EXPENSIVE. When a restaurant charges a reservation deposit, they cannot argue that they were unprepared for all the customers. I will add one positive though ... my pea soup was absolutely delicious.