Palm-b - Bandol

We had dinner and then lunch at le Palm B in Bandol. The setting is beautiful: eating with our feet in the sand, right by the water, with stunning late‑afternoo... read more We had dinner and then lunch at le Palm B in Bandol. The setting is beautiful: eating with our feet in the sand, right by the water, with stunning late‑afternoon light. During our first meal, we wanted to order the lobster (langouste), but the waitress told us they were out. So we chose other seafood dishes, which were good. When we went to pay at the counter, we discovered that the dish of the day was homard (which is very similar) and we were really disappointed that this information had not been shared with us, because that is what we would have ordered. Two days later, we returned for lunch. We were seated right next to the aquarium where a live lobster was displayed. My sister asked if she could order it (it was on the menu), but the waitress immediately told us it was “reserved,” and then proceeded to mention its price (which was on the menu) and added that it was “a lobster for two.” The tone and the way she presented this made us uncomfortable, as if she assumed we wouldn’t be able to afford it. We didn’t understand why these details were necessary, especially given that the lobster was supposedly unavailable. We felt we were being treated differently, which deeply surprised us. We travel a lot, we have never experienced anything like this, and some of us wondered whether the color of our skin played a role in this interaction. The setting is gorgeous, but the staff would benefit from better training in hospitality and communication so that all guests feel respected and welcome.

Beach restaurants and thatched huts are often tourist traps, but Palm-B, right on the sand, is an exception, even in the height of summer! We highly recommend... read more Beach restaurants and thatched huts are often tourist traps, but Palm-B, right on the sand, is an exception, even in the height of summer! We highly recommend it, being locals

Beach restaurants and thatched huts are often tourist traps, but Palm-B, right on the sand, is an exception, even in the height of summer! We highly recommend... read more Beach restaurants and thatched huts are often tourist traps, but Palm-B, right on the sand, is an exception, even in the height of summer! We highly recommend it, being locals

Beach restaurants and thatched huts are often tourist traps, but Palm-B, right on the sand, is an exception, even in the height of summer! We highly recommend... read more Beach restaurants and thatched huts are often tourist traps, but Palm-B, right on the sand, is an exception, even in the height of summer! We highly recommend it, being locals

Beach restaurants and thatched huts are often tourist traps, but Palm-B, right on the sand, is an exception, even in the height of summer! We highly recommend... read more Beach restaurants and thatched huts are often tourist traps, but Palm-B, right on the sand, is an exception, even in the height of summer! We highly recommend it, being locals