Ive been dining at Saint Emilion for 8 years and recommending it just as long. Most recently however the owner Bernard and his employee demonstrated the most egregious display of “we don’t want or need your patronage” Ive ever experienced at a restaurant, including restaurants in Paris where that’s a whole vibe.
I made a reservation around 30 days in advance for 4 and the day before our friends had a their sitter fall through. I called the restaurant and let them know my reservation needed to change to two instead of 4.
Tenille picked up the phone and after I explained the change I was requesting she asked, “can’t you do it on resy?” I explained I tried but it just kept spinning and never confirming a change. She asked for my name, asked me to repeat it, placed me on hold, came back asked for my name a third time, asked me what time and then said she couldn’t make the change because there weren’t tables for 2. I asked if we could sit at the original table she said no, then placed me on hold again.
Bernard the owner came on the line and I explained myself again and he said he could only cancel my reservation. I said I understand it was originally for 4 I would happily pay any difference from us only having 2 at a 4 top.
He said “no we don’t do that, you can’t pay for things you don’t get.” I said I understood I would order 4 entrees and take 2 to go. He said no, I pleaded to still be able to eat there and that I would happily compensate them for the difference of us not being able to provide two additional bodies. And he refused.
It was incredibly upsetting that I was begging to dine there and grasping at straws to try and make it fair to them since we were taking up a 4 top that Bernard just didn’t care.
So even though this was the place that I used to scrape my money together for a special occasion meal in my 20s to now that I’m trying to throw money at them just to keep my reservation, I just don’t think food can taste good when I the owner just doesn’t care if you eat there or not.
So while Rise and Les Margot don’t have the same atmosphere… they’ve never made me beg to eat there and still told me no.
Good food…. But lots of places have good food and owners that are happy you chose their restaurant out of all the great options in Cultural district.
