Probably the worst service ever; slow waiters running all over the place, dirty tables and an unprofessional attitude not up to the standard of a French brand. Come for breakfast; Ask for the order while the waiter continues his walk, receive an old menu and hope to have your coffee before lunchtime.
Occupying the corner of Beirut’s famous central district, facing Aishti and Fendi, Paul welcomes you on the sidewalk of this vibrant city, or on on el for the couple tables inside. Choose your dessert from the display fridge or sit and wait longly to be served.
Paul, the famous bakery has been a favorite whenever I travel to Paris or Dubai. I like their food in Lebanon but not the service, bad and unprofessional for as long as I remember; it’s like the waiters forgot their job’s clear description.
Some unpleasant things:
- Waiters should walk, not run.
- Make sure the coffee cups are clean before delivering to the table.
- “2elle, Estez” is not the proper way of communication with a client.
- Salt and pepper pourer need a change.
- Waiters lack attention and to minimum rules of respect.
Paul’s menu is known:
- Tartines
- Salads
- Plats Tradition
- Omelettes
- Desserts
- Fromages
- Boissons
Good food is served here! The bread makes all the difference, the club is the fluffiest you can ever imagine, three layers of airy bread hosting layers of juiciness. Tender chicken, a juicy heart, fresh veggies and clear know-how. Love the eggs and their taste, the fresh lettuce, and again that bread I’ll remember for long.
The burger or French “Hambourgeois” as they call it has a great looking finish, an excellent bun, a delicious sauce, a unique cheddar cheese with a hard-textured overcooked patty that’s unpleasant to swallow spoiling the experience. A bit less cooking and less grinding of the beef would have made of this burger a must-try part of the top10 list of our country. Back to the bun, French style, a thick and enjoyable envelop, an airy heart, not a Pain-Au-Lait like the commercial buns of the country’s casual burgers. The sauce, unique and served hot, ketchup without the stickiness and sweetness. Good quality cheddar cheese and nothing else; you can add the tomatoes and lettuce at your convenience.
Now desserts: three tarts, strawberry, bananas and crème brûlée. They’re good but not enough, a bit of fine-tuning is needed. Fresh strawberries and good quality cream; more cream needs to be added on the biscuit that should be less condensed and less dry. Ripe bananas and a bit of pastry cream; add more cream and again, the crust is dry and hard. The best is the crème brûlée with a flaky fresh biscuit, an enjoyable crunchy layer of caramelized sugar and tasty finish. Paul has a potential of every piece is carefully created with love.
Enjoyed the food, not the experience which will, unfortunately, take clients to Angelina, the cafe next door; More choices and a way better service.
