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Polidor Restaurant- Luxembourg Gardens area

Just returned from 11 days in Paris. Rick Steve's Paris guide was INDISPENSABLE and spot on for nearly everything. I actually purchased both a paper copy and a digital copy (easy to look on my phone when out and about). It was my "go to" source while in Paris. My only disagreement is with the recommendation for the Restaurant Polidor. We chose this restaurant because we were at the Luxembourg Gardens and had a charming description in the guide. When we arrived, we were the second party in the restaurant. While the food was decent, the service was slow (even compared to standard Paris service speeds) and the host had an air of disdain toward guests. . I'm hoping this was an incident that was isolated to us and others have had a better experience. For future guidebooks, it may be worth revisiting this restaurant for an updated review. I normally do not post reviews, but hoping this is helpful for someone who might be considering this restaurant.

Posted by
2537 posts

Polidor has been the same for decades. Part of its charm is its age and decaying interior, it is certainly not the food which is basic, almost cafeteria quality. The prices are absolutely cheap by Parisian standards. Service in French restaurants is not supposed to be fast. It is for all of these reasons that Polidor is in any guidebook.

Perceived air of disdain by a host is not really rational to remove a recommendation for such as restaurant unless you have something a lot more tangible. Polidor, much like Chartier, is a very inexpensive restaurant and one should manage expectations accordingly.

Posted by
3656 posts

Maybe what the OP is describing is what Rick calls fun, old-Paris atmosphere in the review of the restaurant. As Tocard said, Polidor, is a place where managed expectations are key. At least the OP found the food to be decent, which is way better than I would rate it. Usually, in my experience, RS guides give good restaurant suggestions but I think with respect to the bouillons, the guide is aimed at suggesting historic places as opposed to great places.

Posted by
10118 posts

We’ve been going there for decades and never experienced what you two say, which leads me to believe there are now different employees or new owner. Also, corporate restaurant groups have bought up most of the historical restaurants and brasseries, which changes working conditions for employees. Something does sound off here. BTW, I felt our last meal there was rushed by the waitress.

Posted by
2020 posts

Well, I can only say that our one experience at Polidor two years ago was a pleasant one. The staff were friendly and very patient. It wasn’t haute cuisine but we didn’t expect it, and certainly didn’t pay for it either. We traveled with two friends who recall that evening as one of the highlights of their trip. Who knows?

Posted by
6 posts

Please understand, my post was not meant as a criticism of atmosphere. Having dined for 11 days in a variety of settings, I found this one as an outlier. Take it for what you may. Had I seen my post before going, I would have chosen a different restaurant. Hope this is helpful to someone in m a similar situation.

Posted by
2261 posts

When I tried to speak in French to keep my table, I was loudly bullied into the very back near the restroom and kitchen.

Wow, that's harsh.

Posted by
5697 posts

We have visited Polidor on almost every trip to Paris -- in April we noted that the restaurant now does take credit cards but prices have risen about 10%. Still good value, though.

Posted by
9403 posts

dude, thanks for taking the time to post this. Rick’s guidebooks are a helpful resource but i don’t always agree with him. We’ve stayed in several of his hotel recs in europe that were not good. His recs are only one person’s opinion (and not always his). Your post is helpful to me, i’ve never eaten there in all the years i’ve spent in Paris and was considering trying it this Fall, now i’m gonna pass on it. I like good quality food.

Posted by
2030 posts

Thanks to JHK and others for pointing out the reality of this restaurant. I have not been there in many travels to Paris, and was considering finally going to it in October, but am reconsidering. Historic, and inexpensive though it may be, mediocre food quality is not a selling point for me.

Posted by
6 posts

I think BETS may have hit it on the head. The employees did not seem very happy so the restaurant may have changed hands. I’m all for reasonably priced meals, but it certainly was not cheap enough to justify the other concerns. One personal note, I try to go to places that have at least a few locals. The night we went the restaurant was filled with Americans. As Rick says in the book, nothing is perfect, so chalk it up to a memory. If nothing else, go there to check out the old fashioned toilet!

Posted by
9403 posts

I grew up with those toilets in France, happy to never see one again... : )

Posted by
5697 posts

Interesting about the review of the toilet -- asked my husband and he said the men's room had a standard toilet in April, no complaints.

Posted by
6 posts

I did not read the article but agree about moderately priced meals. Even in nice restaurants there was usually a prix fixe menu for between 20 and 30£. There is a higher option that included entree, plat, and dessert. This is what prompted my original post. For a similar price to the Polidor, I had much better service and food.

Posted by
3656 posts

I read this NYT article a few weeks ago and had mixed feelings -- bummed out to see some of my favorite places in Paris included in the article while happy to see some places getting the recognition they deserve.

Posted by
10118 posts

Separate restrooms, credit cards, no locals—it’s changed, indeed. We’ve been going there for thirty years, the last time last year. This was a go-to for locals, too. Noticed the first tourists there in 1999. The squat toilet outside in the courtyard was part of the charm, especially after half a carafe of wine. Come on Susan, childhood memories.
BTW, the menu has hardly changed over the years.
Definitely sounds like a new owner.

Posted by
9403 posts

Bets, even at 4 yrs old i refused to use them - lol. But yes, they definitely take me right back to my childhood...

Posted by
46 posts

In almost any arena, you need some exposure to a range of critics/commentators/reviewers to find those whose views most closely align with your own. For example, I have long since learned which movie critics tend to like the kind of movies I like. Not that the others are “wrong.” They’re just not helpful for me. I have found that RS’s taste in restaurants frequently doesn’t mesh with mine, so I tend not to follow his recommendations (which is not to say that I don’t value the more objective, factual information he provides).