Flunch - Paris

This place was confusing and we didn't seem to get much help either! I wouldn't say so much a lack of communication, rather a lack of interest! We went for lunch and quickly found we had to try and work things out for ourselves as best we could. We ended up choosing roast chicken from the hot food area, a pre-packed salad from the salad bar and planned to divide and share. When asking for a second plate to dish up, was told we'd have to pay for it. Not one staff member was welcoming or showed enthusiasm. The locals obviously loved it here, probably because it is in the cheaper range and very generic like a production line.Stay away, this is not a good dining experience!And what's with the security guy at the door checking bags?

Whenever I want a quick, cheap and satisfying eat in France, I will head to Flunch. I love having their grated carrorts or celeriac or beetroot with vinaigrette for entrée and just a steak hache frites (hamburger steak) or poulet roti (roast chicken) and it comes with unlimited helping of vegetables (haricot verts, carrots, epinard a la crème etc) and mustard that leave you scratching your head! I also love that they do old-school desserts like chocolate mousse and Ille Flottant! I usually stay in Montmartre when I visit Paris, so this branch of Flunch is within walking distance.

There's nothing extraordinary about this cafeteria, but it is located next door to the Mercure, where we were staying, and convenient after a full day of sightseeing when decision-making skills wane! Food is average quality but filling and cheap. If you don't mind plain, even perhaps bland, dishes and find yourself craving veggies after days of travel, this place may fit the bill. It's a great place for families with young kids. There are a few set price menu options, allowing simply entrees with sides or the full meal deal. After getting drinks, salads, and desserts, head to the meat counter and then to the till to pay. Take a left for the veggie bar, where you can fill up your plate with whatever dishes you like. Creamed potatoes are homemade, not from a box, and good. Enjoyed green beans and a tomato/okra dish, as well as a medley of steamed carrots (orange and yellow). Grilled steaks are served here too. The atmosphere is more school cafeteria than anything else, so don't go expecting to find anything more than filling, nutritious, and cheap meals. Under €10.

Wandering around looking for a cash point, we accidently stumbled upon this place. Tucked away in the corner of 'Castorama' which seems to be like a cross between Ikea and B&Q on two floors. It's a small cafeteria type dining called 'Flunch'! Anything with that name had to be tried. For 9.95 Euros, you could have a 3 course meal with a drink which was a bargain compared to local restaurants and cafes. So, we got our tray, wandered around the buffet style desserts and fruits beautifully laid out and we could have anything with the 'fl' sticker on. I got a bowl and filled it with a variety of fresh fruit, then got a Crème Caramel for dessert and past the fridges which are filled with a vast range of cold drinks, next to wine barrels with wine on tap! There are also small bottles of wines. There was then a range of hot mains ranging from curry, fish, meatballs, steaks and burgers which are all cooked openly in front of you. The steaks were cooked to order depending how you like them. I had the chicken in a creamy sauce and the boyfriend had the spaghetti and meatballs. We went through the till and found a seat. This is where you go up to the 'help yourself' counter which contained fries, range of vegetables, pastas, sauces and gravy. You can go up as often as you like. We thought it was really good value for money and nice to have a change. Seemed to be used by the local office workers and locals. We actually went back twice and it was good each time. The only thing that let it down was 'NO MILK' !! Everybody knows the British love a nice brew of tea and we take our tea with milk. I managed to find a 'black breakfast' teabag amongst the Vert, Rouge and various other flowery teas, worked out how to get hot water from the dispenser, then the panic set in. I asked at the till, 'no milk', I asked the guy who was cleaning the tables, he took me to the 'mayo' dispenser, I asked the smiley guy on ice cream duty 'NO MILK'. Gutted. No tea then. It's open until 10pm, great range of foods, different offers on and great value. Worth a visit if you can find it. Flunch was great.

This place looks good but it really isn't. We went there for dinner one night and the knives and forks were dirty then we went up to the counter to get our meat. I picked fish because it was the only thing that didn't look like a dogs diarrhoea. I paid and then I went to get my sides I picked pasta and chips. When we sat down the pasta was dripping in yellow liquid not sure what it was and the chips were cold the fish was rotten. And the brownie I had for desert made me sick.