Brasserie de Paris. Not good experience

[barrys]

Hi Dawebo

Let me start by saying that I do not have any vested interest in the restaurant in question.

My thought is, though, that you had every opportunity to say something to the owner at the time - you yourself say he was there.

On the rare occasions that I've had a problem in restaurants here, I have always addressed the matter at the time in a civil manner and the issue has been sorted out on each occasion to my satisfaction.

You say, "... and I didn't want to go through the "hassle" of complaining and probably waiting another lenght of time to receive another re-heated steak"

The above is pure conjecture - maybe you would then have got the steak of your life - you said that the first steak wrongly delivered to you was fine and you were happy with it - so why wouldn't the next one be as good?
That would also have given you the chance to return the salad you weren't entitled to - I'm sure the next table would have appreciated such a gesture

It seems to me that you were a bit unlucky from what you say - but is that really a reason to broadcast this to the world when the solution lay in your own hands at the time?

It's a delicate balancing act running a business here in the present economic climate and we've already read that someone who had intended going to the restaurant will not be going now on the basis of your report.

Is that fair? The proprietor will then suffer because one unhappy customer who had the chance to allow the matter to be rectified at the time did not choose to do so and opted for the Internet route instead, while all the contented customers have not chosen to post.

I happen to know the owner of this restaurant because our booking office/restaurant is only a few doors away.

His name is Thierry and he's from Belgium and he's been running his restaurant for the last 15 years.

He's presently also very active in cleaning up all the beachfront along that road - he came to us a few weeks ago looking for support for this measure and we were happy to get involved.

He's certainly a very approachable guy and I believe his chef is also a farang, so there was every chance for you to address the matter there and then.

He can't really be doing that much wrong if he's kept going here for the last 15 years.

Why not go back and have a quiet word with him about what happened - I'm sure he'll be very receptive to what you have to say - go on, why not give it another chance.

[thaiorchid]

stgrhe: two seconds after I submitted my post, I saw where you are from. So ofcourse it should have been Expressen (swedish rag) with the right to the scoop.
Back to the subject. I still think that internet is not the right forum to critisize private ventures, because it could be misused. Vendetta might not be the right word, but if I for some reason did not like the owner of the Brasserie, this would be to perfect and anonymous way to hurt him.
By the way, I do not know him, and Dawebo I do not doubt you had a lousy experience, I am just questioning if HHAD is the right forum ?
stgrhe as you can see, your experience of CC was not shared with most other posters, so I think we should leave to each and everyone to decide, and not let someone else play Guide Michelin on our behalf.
So put the Brasserie back on your list of places to try, go there with an open mind, and let us hear how you liked it. You might be in for a positive surprise.
And I believe in the marketpowers, so really bad restaurants they will go out of business automatically.
thaiorchid

[HappyCamper]

Can't comment on the Brasserie I've not tried it yet....mainly because when its time for a steak we can't go past the American BBQ place above Mcdonalds.....best fillet steak I've had in Thailand and its local beef.....never disapointed.....oooohhhh I'm hungry

[Lev]

I am just questioning if HHAD is the right forum

HHAD is the only forum that lets people find out about the good and the bad - every 'bad experience' thread has enough replies to counter it with good ones and vice-versa.

Make your own decisions and your own choices and use the internet simply as a guide.

[Francois]

His name is Thierry and he's from Belgium and he's been running his restaurant for the last 15 years.
...
He's certainly a very approachable guy and I believe his chef is also a farang

Hi Barry,

His chef is French and I already spoke to him.

This being said, I hate to have a firm and fixed opinion on only one event. It should be of interest to cross different opinions of people having food there.

I cannot say anything as I never got food at "La brasserie de Paris" : as a golden rule I avoid restaurant located in touristic area and if I am in a need of French or westerner food, even Irish, Welsh or British , I cook it by myself...

Cheers

[Lung Per]

There are a number of cheapish looking food stalls at the Grand Market that serve a variety of mainly Thai food. When you enter the market and walk straight down the stalls, the next to last restaurant on your right hand side does in fact serve an excellent steak cooked to your liking at a reasonable price. Go for the Australian cut (local beef is for making shoe soles only).
Bon Appetit.

[migrant]

As a business owner, I am always glad to get criticisms in order to learn. Some are valid, some not so much.

When I go to a restaurant, or experience a bad job from a business, I mention it. I also qualify it to the owner that I am not looking for, or accept, a freebie, or makeover. I don't get angry (unless the owner doesn't accept it in the spirit given and gets angry first).

I simple state my observations and state it's my own personal opinion.

If I read a critics, or public posting, of a bad experience it doesn't necesarily stop me from visiting, but if I read 4-5 then I'll probably pass,

I think these forums are good places to post. I think we've had some personal vendettas before, but with a wide variety of people here, seem to get to both sides soon.

[moja]

I agree with Farang and Sj when it comes to Natta Restaurant on Soi 88, never had a bad steak there; in fact have never had a bad meal there in the 18 months he has been open.

His Mango Crepes are to die for!

[m_right]

I do like a good steak occasionally and therefore frequent restaurant Natha opposite Markwin Lodge on 88 Northeast.

I have eaten there three times and it has been great. I even head steak once. I avoid steak in Thailand as it is usually so bad it is almost funny. I could'nt resist however. Theirs was the best I have had in Thailand.

[Dawebo]

Thanks for the advice on the some other places to find a good steak in HH.

I have agreed with many of you in my own post saying I normally prefer to complain at the time, as I know this helps the restaurant in the long run. Just on this one occassion I didn't feel like it. Sometimes we can feel like that!

Regarding posting on forums, I do believe a forum is a fair place to let people know of an experience, good and bad. I appreciate the experiences good and bad that I can read on this and other forums. I also understand becuase one person had a bad experience does not mean that that is the standard in the establishment.

I'm not advising people not to go there, and I'm glad others have mentioned their good experience. I was simply posting my bad experience. Yes, I was unlucky. I think most people wait to see several bad experiences about a place before making up their mind not to visit.

[nanyang]

Thanks for the advice on the some other places to find a good steak in HH.

I have agreed with many of you in my own post saying I normally prefer to complain at the time, as I know this helps the restaurant in the long run. Just on this one occassion I didn't feel like it. Sometimes we can feel like that!

Regarding posting on forums, I do believe a forum is a fair place to let people know of an experience, good and bad. I appreciate the experiences good and bad that I can read on this and other forums. I also understand becuase one person had a bad experience does not mean that that is the standard in the establishment.

I'm not advising people not to go there, and I'm glad others have mentioned their good experience. I was simply posting my bad experience. Yes, I was unlucky. I think most people wait to see several bad experiences about a place before making up their mind not to visit.

You had every opportunity to address the situation you weren't happy with - but chose not to do so.
However, you choose to air your grievance in a cowardly way by reverting to anonymity on this forum.
Get some BALLS man GET SOME BALLS.

[nanyang]

Hi Dawebo

Let me start by saying that I do not have any vested interest in the restaurant in question.

My thought is, though, that you had every opportunity to say something to the owner at the time - you yourself say he was there.

On the rare occasions that I've had a problem in restaurants here, I have always addressed the matter at the time in a civil manner and the issue has been sorted out on each occasion to my satisfaction.

You say, "... and I didn't want to go through the "hassle" of complaining and probably waiting another lenght of time to receive another re-heated steak"

The above is pure conjecture - maybe you would then have got the steak of your life - you said that the first steak wrongly delivered to you was fine and you were happy with it - so why wouldn't the next one be as good?
That would also have given you the chance to return the salad you weren't entitled to - I'm sure the next table would have appreciated such a gesture

It seems to me that you were a bit unlucky from what you say - but is that really a reason to broadcast this to the world when the solution lay in your own hands at the time?

It's a delicate balancing act running a business here in the present economic climate and we've already read that someone who had intended going to the restaurant will not be going now on the basis of your report.

Is that fair? The proprietor will then suffer because one unhappy customer who had the chance to allow the matter to be rectified at the time did not choose to do so and opted for the Internet route instead, while all the contented customers have not chosen to post.

I happen to know the owner of this restaurant because our booking office/restaurant is only a few doors away.

His name is Thierry and he's from Belgium and he's been running his restaurant for the last 15 years.

He's presently also very active in cleaning up all the beachfront along that road - he came to us a few weeks ago looking for support for this measure and we were happy to get involved.

He's certainly a very approachable guy and I believe his chef is also a farang, so there was every chance for you to address the matter there and then.

He can't really be doing that much wrong if he's kept going here for the last 15 years.

Why not go back and have a quiet word with him about what happened - I'm sure he'll be very receptive to what you have to say - go on, why not give it another chance.

An excellent post - I concur.

[redzonerocker]

You had every opportunity to address the situation you weren't happy with - but chose not to do so.
However, you choose to air your grievance in a cowardly way by reverting to anonymity on this forum.
Get some BALLS man GET SOME BALLS.

a slightly over the top reaction
i though dawebo explained himself pretty well
appraisals are all posted with anonymity, so why should criticism come under fire for the same reason, especially as a high percentage of forum members are in general, anonymous??:?

restricting posts so only the good experiences & reviews are aired would be far to biased
as long as the criticism is fair & just (in the posters opinion) & not slanderous, then why shouldn't it be posted.
it can then be debated & views & opinions exchanged in a civil manner

[nanyang]

You had every opportunity to address the situation you weren't happy with - but chose not to do so.
However, you choose to air your grievance in a cowardly way by reverting to anonymity on this forum.
Get some BALLS man GET SOME BALLS.

a slightly over the top reaction
i though dawebo explained himself pretty well
appraisals are all posted with anonymity, so why should criticism come under fire for the same reason, especially as a high percentage of forum members are in general, anonymous??:?

restricting posts so only the good experiences & reviews are aired would be far to biased
as long as the criticism is fair & just (in the posters opinion) & not slanderous, then why shouldn't it be posted.
it can then be debated & views & opinions exchanged in a civil manner

OTT - I defend myself thus, when did you last order a Chateaubriand and not be 'surprised' to see it arrive TEN minutes later.
The man is, clearly, a charlatan.
No, the complainant is without substance nor, indeed, argument.
I am surprised, however, that someone as erudite as yourself could protest that," i though (sic) dawebo explained himself pretty well".

[Amarita]

Thailand is not an easy country to complain in for us that dont speak Thai.
And I of course take full responsibility for not speaking Thai.
Sometimes I dont get the food that I ordered, sometimes it is not after my expectation. I tried to complain in my early years, but not anymore.
So now I only eat Thai food and are happy with that. The food is normally very good. The only times I get food to complain about is when I try western food. The meat is often tough and not after my expectations.
But that is me - not the rest of you.