My dinner experience at Restaurant À l’Échevin was disappointing. The food was good, but the service was the worst I have experienced on this trip.
The evening started with a large table of nine guests next to me spending nearly 20 minutes sorting out a misunderstanding about their set menu. Most of the service staff focused on that table while I sat alone waiting just to place my order.
The bigger issue involved my dietary restriction. When making my reservation, I clearly noted that I am lactose intolerant. Upon arrival, I reminded the waitress that I cannot have cow’s milk, although butter, cream, and aged cheeses are generally not a problem.
After waiting about 15 minutes for my main course, the veal was presented and I was informed it had been poached in milk. When I explained again that I am lactose intolerant, the server repeatedly insisted that the milk had been cooked and therefore should not be an issue. Despite my concerns, he continued to argue the point rather than simply offering an alternative.
After several uncomfortable minutes, I firmly explained that I had no intention of becoming ill and that the dish needed to be replaced. While the server later apologized and acknowledged his misunderstanding, the damage was done. What should have been a relaxing evening was overshadowed by an avoidable situation and a lack of respect for a clearly communicated dietary restriction.
Good food cannot fully compensate for poor service, and unfortunately the experience left a lasting negative impression.
What a beautiful experience at l'Échevin restaurant! Enchanting place, lovely old-style design with cosy sittings (we had a table from where we could enjoy the direct view of a picturesque canal), delicious food, fantastic wines and overall elegant and friendly serving (especially the top sommelier). Touristy for sure, but with class. It's not very expensive, but neither cheap, I think it's a good balance for the price of the service one receives.
We spent a wonderful evening at l'échevin. It has an upmarket feel, whilst being laid back at the same time. Service was top notch from start to finish, staff were friendly and efficient without being overbearing. Then the food - just wow! We had the signature menu and the flavours and quality of cooking were exceptional, refined and surprising. A thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Restaurant À l'Échevin serves very good dessert, I will definitely come back again for their sweets.
It's the Michelin Recommend restaurant I'm the hotel of À l'Échevin, part of the Little Venice area.
The Signature Menu starts from their duck liver, À l'Échevin served it with kiwi and chestnut 🌰, probably the best combination I've ever encountered, love it !!!
Not a fan of their smoked eel and the filled cake of sea bass and lobster, smoked eel tasted like smoked salmon, and the lobster stole the tenderness of sea bass.
As to the roasted doe, too dry.
But have to give BIG credits to their desserts, the pre-dessert is the barley ice on black garlic jelly, very interesting chemistry blended together in your mouth, love it !!!
As to the final dessert, they barley ice on the ice pears, it's sweet but very mild and smooth, melt right into your mouth; as to the barley rice pudding, the kick of buckwheat caramel is the spotlight.
We requested for seats by the canal but was informed that they were reserved. We were then seated at the inner area with red plush seats.
We ordered steaks and sea bass which were decently plated. The sea bass was good for me.
