Zucco Le French Dinner

05/06/10

New manager is rude and does not split checks

by soulflyeye

I have been fan of Zucco’s Le French Diner for years, however, ever since Zucco’s death, the service of this restaurant has taken a serious downturn.

Recently, I scheduled a dinner here with a business associate who was in town and wanted an “authentic New York restaurant,” and something different than the typical business spots like STK, Buddakan, etc..

The food was wonderful and service was fine, until the end of the night when the check arrived.

Since it was a business dinner, we both wanted to split the balance between two corporate cards (pretty standard practice, the bill was over $100). When we presented the waiter with our cards, he told us “we can’t split.” Knowing this is untrue and contrary to American Express’ merchant agreement, I asked to speak to the manager. The new manager, whom I had never met before, told me they don’t ever split bills between cards because of the restaurant’s computer (which is a blatant lie). He said “it’s not me, it’s the computer” and flatly refused when I suggested we try and charge each card as a separate bill (i.e. two $55 checks).

When I explained to him I had dined at this restaurant before and had never encountered this dilemma, he actually responded with “So? Am I suppose to give you special treatment because you dine here before?” I couldn’t believe how callous and rude he was, even his body language suggested he felt attacked by my request. I told him all restaurants in NYC that accept Amex will allow you to split a bill and he replied “but we are not every restaurant in New York.” It was unbelievable.

In the end, I put the bill on my card. When the copy arrived, we asked for a re-print of the receipt (my colleague was going to give me cash and then use the re-printed copy of the receipt to expense her portion of the bill). The waiter told me he “didn’t have one.” When I re-approached the manager with this request he told me he couldn’t print out another copy of the receipt! Since I had already paid, I was “out of the system,” and he could not call up my bill!

Needless to say, I reported him to American Express this morning and do not plan on returning. There are so many wonderful restaurants in NYC, why waste your time with lowlife managers who won’t split a hundred dollar bill two-ways.

Save yourself a headache and don’t bother with the rude service and cheapskate tactics.

• Pros: Great Food
• Cons: Cheap Skate Manager

07/01/09

fantastic

by CYou22

small, romantic, old fashioned hard work

• Pros: just right
• Cons: non

03/22/09

Favorite Restaurant in NYC

by JonathanSarno

Only seats about 10 people and the food is great although a bit pricy for me.

My favorite restaurant in NYC and right across the street from where I live

• Pros: Example: best croissants in town
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?

10/09/08

Perfect

by PlayLab

This is our favorite place to eat brunch, ever. Everyone there is awesome. The food is perfect. Don't read our review and go there though, we want the place for ourselves.

• Pros: It's perfect
• Cons: It's small

06/29/08

Hidden gem

by btour

The frisee aux lardons is my preferred dish at Zucco, if you like this dish you need to order it. Depending on the cook on duty, it gets even better. Then you have the lamb shank, it's not on the menu, but they have it Tuesday through Saturday. The goat cheese salad is also a must-have. The place is very small, so don't even bother going there in large groups, there's simply no room. They don't serve Bud Light, hate ketchup, play all sorts of music at a high volume, and the seats are uncomfortable. Enjoy!

• Pros: Frisee aux lardons, goat cheese salad, lamb shank, confit de canard, etc.
• Cons: Fish