Le Pain Quotidien

I recently visited a Le PQ restaurant and only remembered when our coffee and food were served. I was a bit puzzled by the coffee being served in a bowl without a handle, which I found a bit risky. However, the coffee was delicious. We also ordered a large and tasty cheese scone. The overall atmosphere at Le PQ is modern and casual, with wooden floors and rustic tables and chairs. The prices were a bit high for the portion sizes.

It is possibly the third time that I come to this coffee shop and they do not allow me to choose a table even having an empty restaurant area and another completely crowded with small tables and very close together. Besides this, the service it's sometimes incredibly slow. The coffee used to be cold on several times and I have the impression that the food is getting worse and worse despite the high price of the menu choices.

Hesitant to complain, however £7.50 for a ham and cheese baguette feels like daylight robbery (particularly when it 's £4 via take out). I had the same baguette, dine in, at the Chiswick branch for £4. I appreciate these places have overheads to cover but a nearly 100% mark up seems ridiculous. The dining environment is nothing special; neither is the service standard. Then, on top of this, the optional service charge was automatically added to the bill and presented as such at the card machine. Considering I had to wait a good while for the bill to arrive, I wasn 't planning on paying a tip. Isn 't the tip optional? , I asked the waiter. The service charge is stated on the menu . But it says 'optional ' . [no response]. Overall, a poor experience. In excess of £12 for a coffee and baguette next time I think I 'll stick to Caffe Nero, where it 's almost half the price, with a superior dining environment.

I went there for a relaxing time but I had the most stressful and unfriendly service. Food took a long time and coffee was cold. When served, cup put at the other extreme side of the table and in a very agressive way and manner. The manager was informed and she apologised for the service. This is a good reaction and give better impression. My recommendation is that staff should cool down and keep their stress under control.

It was quite busy when we arrived but we spotted a couple leaving a 'booth '. Asked one of floor staff if we could sit there. He had to check with manager- point 1 train your staff! We were not allowed to sit there as it was being save incase 4 people came in. I kind of get that. We we shown to an area where there were tables for 2 and 4 , we could choose any. I dont get that! A couple came in after us and seated themselves in the booth. Good on them, wish I 'd done that. The food , as usual was good. Shakshouka, is not a shakshouka (Mr O would be shocked), however, tasty enough. The gentleman who served us was polite and happy. The manager needs some training in customer relations. My husband wanted to remove the service charge from the bill on that basis. I hope the tips go to the floor staff, otherwise...