Bistro de Paris, Leicester

After a previous bad experience at Bistro De Paris I intended never to go again but as I was invited by a friend decided not to tell her about my hesitations to visit this restaurant. First people to go in at 7.30 so that shoud have told us something on a Friday night. However we got off to a good start, waiter seemed friendly and helpful. We decided to have lemony chicken and some side dishes which was ok. After 1 desert and 1 coffee we requested the bill. 10% discretionary services was added which made the bill 41.something. I asked the waiter to make it 40 (so my friend and I could split the bill easier) which wasn't very well received. He kept insisting we should pay all of the discretionary charge as that was the way he had made up the bill. We I pointed out it was a discretionary charge, he asked me if the services had been bad. I said no (that is why I was already giving him £2.something) He left in a huff to get another receipt. When we were presented with the bill again he told us he hadn't charged us for the bread and he normally would do that. I told him ok, thank you for the bread and paid £40.00 (still leaving him with a £2.somthing tip) After payement he left in a huff and looked at us with a very nasty expression from behind the bar. You can imagine my friend and I had a good laugh about this as we thought it was beyond rude.

We had to wait to get a table (we had booked), long wait for order, goats cheese salad was served on bread from a super market, the vegetables served with the main were cold, the restaurant was freezing, we both asked for our coats back to wear while eating, the table was wobbly, the chicken pastry was lacking in portion, they added 10% tip by default (can be expected from a good service, we had it removed), 4 courses advertised, 3 received. All round pretty disastrous in my opinion.

Had a terrible experience at Bistro de Paris for Valentine 2009, at the pleasure of £30 a head!

We have been here four times now and have not yet been even slightly disappointed about any aspect except the lack of diners (not that we want it crowded). It's a genuine treasure of a place. Superb cuisine - truly good helpings of extraordinarily tasty and well prepared food. The place is a delighgt.

Staff seemed rude to us and appeared to speak over us in their language.

We were not offered any change back after paying the bill which was about £7...I would never tip this much! We didn't say anything to avoid embarrassment also because we did not feel welcome.

I have never been back to this restaurant since this incident. There seems to be a lot of choice now in Leicester for restaurants, my opinion is that if you want the business you have to offer excellent customer service!

This is a good attempt to present French food in an authentic environment, but there are limitations. My suspicions were aroused when I noticed the spelling mistakes in the French version of the menu. These appeared on the outdoor blackboard, on the indoor promotion boards, and on the printed carte. Not good enough attention to details, as some were quite laughable.

The maitre d' did speak French, but I would have expected at least a French chef, and preferably other Frech staff. I have spent significant amounts of time living, working, taking holidays and dining in France, and I would say that the average French restaurant would easily match this level of cuisine.

Notwithstanding, six of us had a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and we would probably go back. But at £350 for six meals and drinks, we'll have to give the alternatives serious consideration.

Beautiful restaurant in the heart of Leicester. I love visiting Bistro de Paris - it's takes a really special restaurant to get me to review it, but I just thought it necessary.

Highly recommended - a decent French restaurant is a rare find - there are lots of little cafes which claim to be French, but they're pretty non-French if you ask me!

The staff are genuinely a pleasure - they are always smiling, and are very professional and attentive.

Excellent restaurant!

Bistro de Paris is a beautiful restaurant, and is often forgotten about as people always go to San Carlo, the sister Italian.

We went there on Friday night and had a really romantic evening. The wines were delicious - a great selection from France - and the food was great.

Overall a really great place - definitely give it a try!

Bistro de Paris is often over looked, as many people don't think about French Cuisine when they fancy a night out. I know I didn't, and only stumbled across Bistro after San Carlo next door was full. The food was beautiful - and the creme brulee was the best I've ever tried!

I will definitely be going again!

I was very impressed - I've eaten in San Carlo before, but never ventured to Bistro de Paris, as I've never really fancied French cuisine. However, I really can't recommend the place enough - it was a new experience but one that will be repeated! The food was delicious and I enjoyed the whole evening very much indeed.

Highly recommended to anyone - there were lots of people in there for lots of different reasons - a birthday celebration, a business gathering, and several family meals. Make sure you book!