Chez Napoleon

Doesn't Recommend

PhilPo

Joined 3 years ago

Great food, HORRIBLY RUDE service!. Went with 4 other people and had a wonderful boeuf bourguignon, they all had coq au vin. Then had their souffle (we all split a lemon and chocolate one). This was our second time going there. We had such great food and service the first time, we went again.

We split our check five ways, on five credit cards, since there were five of us.

The waitress however, came back after we paid, and in front of all the other customers (it's tiny, there's only like 7 or 8 little tables), literally said, "was my service not good, the total tip is only around 12%?"

I couldn't believe it, she asked me, as though I knew what everyone else tipped, and why they tipped that amount.

First of all, when you take a job that has a tipped wage, you agree that you get some good tips, and some not so good tips. Tipping is always at the discretion of the customer. If someone tipped between 0% and 5%, I could almost understand some frustration. Almost. But even then, you don't confront a customer like that. Most importantly, it's just plain rude and self-entitled, especially when you do it in front of other customers. When I showed her my slip, and that I gave a 16.5% tip, she said "well not everyone in your party did."

Wow.

We left the restaurant, shaking our heads, appalled by the blatant and unabashed rudeness. But here's the kicker, she made a mistake and realized that we, in total, had given her the customary 15-16% tip. And she came out the door to catch us, and tried to apologize. None of us were overly impressed with the apology. It was better than not apologizing, that's for sure, but had I thought of it then, I would have marched her back into that tiny dining room, and made her admit to her mistake, and then apologize to everyone else for creating such an uncomfortable scene, for all to see.

If I had ever done that at my college job,working as a valet car parker and bellman at a hotel, I would have been fired. And rightly so.

Too bad such an amazing experience with wonderful and authentic French cuisine can be absolutely ruined by an obnoxious waitress. I called the next day to complain, and the manager said she spoke to her. Needless to say, neither myself, my colleagues that night, nor anyone I've told this story to at my company will ever go there again.

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slinki

Joined 5 years ago

old school french. I have been here several times over the years, the last time being July 2009. I appreciate this place for it's very well executed traditional French fare and casual atmosphere. It is cramped, but that contributes to the cozy, almost exclusive (in a good way) feel. I have generally found the staff very personable and professional...with one unfortunate exception. I don't know if she's still there, but she seemed to be in some parallel universe at the time she served us, barking at us to hurry up and order and being rather unpleasant overall (eg. coughing on us. Isn't that a health code violation? Well, it should be). And no, she was not French. She seemed rather to hail from some highway diner off the Jersey Turnpike. I do not like having to say a negative word about this place, and I hope it thrives as long as the owners want to run it. But something has to be done about that server!

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racheloves2eatout

Joined 6 years ago

delicious provencal french home cooking. an adorable cozy romantic sentimental restaurant with delicious savory south of France recipes that make your mouth water. This place serves one of my favorite bouillabaisse'. this dish is large however so order that for two. great foie gras, escargot, sweetbreads, and pretty much anything we have ever ordered.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review. This cozy midtown spot stakes its authenticity on the French "grand-mere" in charge of the kitchen.

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gripdxd

Joined 11 years ago

Cute Cozy French Place. I walked in for dinner and was immediately seated. It's a tight small place that decorated in an original design. You get the feel as if you are in France and not in NYC. It has a homey feel with a good story. My meal was good and dining experience great. Try this place for something different and out of the ordinary; it can be a romantic special one as well :D

Doesn't Recommend

charlesmstam

Joined 6 years ago

Bad. I went here with a large group of friends for an end of year party. The waitstaff was sassy and out of line, the food was overpriced and tasted bad, and the decor was revolting. The whole thing left a sour taste in my mouth and I will not be returning. Not recommended.

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roastbeef9

Joined 7 years ago

Best Old School French in New York City. Finally, a french restaurant where traditional french is done right. I went here last weekend and really enjoyed it. The wait staff was good, and the sauces for the entrees were beyond perfection. I would highly recommend this to anyone who appreciates finer classical french food.

The restaurant itself is not the most beautiful nor large but the food and red house wine surely make your other senses too busy to care.

Doesn't Recommend

crouterb

Joined 7 years ago

Poor Customer Relations. Maybe it's because they are so very French. I called before Christmas to see if they would be open Jan 1, New Year's Day. I asked twice -- and was assured they would be open, and they took my reservation. When I arrived in New York -- NOT OPEN! When I called, I was told that no one there would make such a mistake and it was not they're problem. I was disappointed -- and I know I didn't make the mistake -- someone at the place gave me bad information. The real frustration was that they wouldn't just say they were sorry for the mistake -- even when I asked for that -- they just told me I was wrong and it wasn't their problem. If that's how they treat you before you get in the door -- they can keep that door locked all the time!!

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mr_happy

Joined 8 years ago

Best French Food in Manhattan. My girlfriend and I were 'this' close to writing off French Food entirely. We had been to a few places around Manhattan and ALL of them were CRAP. So today was our 3 year anniversary and we were looking for a place to go for a romantic dinner. She said "Chez Napoleon?" So we looked up the menu and said to each other "This is IT. If this place can't make a good French meal, then there is NO French Food in Manhattan!" Well, the food was great. "OK" I thought, "this is GOOD FRENCH FOOD!" Finally. After dinner I thanked the bartender and told him how this was the only good French food we had found in Manhattan. He said "Thank you, it IS my grandmother cooking back there, so you understand that it IS going to be true French food." Great place. I'll come back.

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andmig

Joined 8 years ago

Cosistently Great Experience. We like and frequent this place for several years. Our friends from France, who we took there , confirmed my impression both food and atmosphere wise. We like their veteran waitress a skinny lady, who walks briskly like a ballerina and has a cute uptight angular properness.

The food feels very authentic. We liked everything we tried. My favorites are cold Foie Gras, Bouillabaisse and Souffle. They dont decorate dishes much, which I think is a plus because it harmoniously complements the experience.

The service is fast and friendly with a dash of polite aloofness, which I crave sometimes, especially in the Times Square area.

The surroundings are pleasant. Soft French background music and themed wall features definitely feed your nostalgic half. Unobtrusive restaurant scenery matches the encounter. Sometimes their matriarch chef Grand-mere takes break at the bar silently sipping her wine. Occasionally PBS-type celebrities pop in.