After noticing the new French Restaurant in the 7-11 strip mall for the last couple months, I finally stopped to see what the deal was.
First impressions, on driving by, were humorous. The hand-printed poster board and magic marker signs, complete with backwards "N," and the trumpeting of "Milkshakes," struck me as quite funny. The almost complete lack of customers, or cars in the
lot, has been almost pitiful. With so many restaurants fleeing Ashburn, I imagined a story of a gutsy owner bucking the tide and the economic trends to realize his dream in the old pizza shop.
So, this afternoon, I stopped by to get the full story, hoping to speak to the owner or manager, and learn the whole story.
Well, the whole story will have to wait.
"Julie," (French pronunciation) was at the hostess desk of the completely empty restaurant just after 4:00pm today. She could not, or would not, tell me if she was the owner, or the manager. After some mysterious pauses and evasions, she said that she'd talk to her father. She went to an office in the back, and returned in a couple minutes. She provided her email address, and said that I could email her with any questions.
Tres estrange.....as they say in Paree.....
The whole story will have to wait.
In the meantime, if you'd like to get details on the restaurant, here's Julie's email: julietrwb@yahoo.fr
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ReplyDeleteIt's a very unfortunate time to open an restaurant.
ReplyDeleteIt does appear to be doing very little business each time I pass on Ashburn Road, but from our family visit can advise that the food is outstanding. I hope it does enough business to survive, and we that can keep a genuine taste of Paris in Ashburn!
Richard,
ReplyDeleteYou're sure right about an unfortunate time. It seems that restaurants are going by the wayside right and left in Ashburn, big and small.
I haven't tried the food, but it looked real.
From my long experience with Southeast Asian refugees, my guess is that the proprietors are likely Vietnamese, by way of Paris.
It would be great if we could help them with business, but the owner was not interested in talking to me about his restaurant.
If you learn anything more, please share.
Thanks.
Kent Clizbe
"the whole story will have to wait" So should we assume you did not follow up with an email saying you were interested in blogging about the restaurant itself? Many Europeans are more reserved than Americans and it sounds as though the woman felt put on the spot (which I'm sure was unintentional on your part). To leave your blog at that, with no impression of the restaurant other than the failure to obtain an interview, is overtly negative. My husband and I have dined there several times and it's a true hidden gem. While as a bogger you have no journalistic responsibility to the story, leaving an impression based on a stymied conversation with a non-native English speaker at a family-run restaurant is unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteStill haven't had a chance to visit Paris Prestige. All the feedback I've heard from those who have, however, is very positive.
ReplyDelete"European reticence" might work well in Antibes, however, we're in the good ol' USA. If you want to make a go of a business here, you need to adapt.
I have pretty extensive experience with both European, and Asian, cultures. The proprietors are Asian, likely Indochinese (Vietnam, Laos, or Cambodia).
There is absolutely no reason to NOT provide details about your restaurant to someone off the street.
The attitude of the proprietor was inexplicable. A savvy businessman would come out and chat with someone asking questions about the restaurant and food, building goodwill with a potential customer.
No intent on my part to be "overtly negative." Just providing the details that I found, and didn't find.
Hopefully, my family will get a chance to try their food in the near future.
Thanks for your comment.
Kent Clizbe