Le Strand

I would have rated The Strand much higher based on food and ambiance. However, our good impressions were dashed at the end of the meal. The server – who apparently was also the sommelier – presented us the credit card machine and as we were about to pay, he bald-​faced asked us to give him an additional tip.
I enquired (in French; I am a retired high school French teacher) as to whether the «service”(aka charge for gratuity) was included. We had just spent 5 days in Paris and 4 in St. Tropez and had not encountered a single meal where the service had not been included. Oh yes, he said. But he added that not a penny of the service goes to the servers.
Huh? My spouse and I looked at each other in astonishment at this, a scam we’d never heard in some 40 years of traveling the world. It was all we could do not to burst out laughing. Needless to say, we declined the server’s entreaty. He had already identified us as Americans and had insisted on speaking English to us, so obviously he pegged us as rubes, even though he knew we were staying at the most luxurious hotel in town and were well traveled. I sincerely doubt he was going to pull the same shtick on the group of French diners next to us, with whom we had been conversing.
The next day we told the concierge of our hotel and he was equally astonished, and promised to contact the manager of The Strand.
Not smart for the restaurant if they want repeat business, though maybe they don’t care if a «tourist» is ripped off. But in this age of social media, that’s not a smart attitude. Caveat emptor at the Strand! Shameful.

Malgré un accueil sympathique et une belle carte, les plats né sont pas à la hauteur des attentes d’un restaurant de cette gamme. Au vue des prix la déception est de mise!
Despite a friendly reception and a promising menu, the food was not up to the usual standards of a high end restaurant. The prices are too high and the quality/​quantity too low. What a disappointment!

Don’t be surprised if you here La Vie En Rose playing in the background as you approach. You definitely want to dine on the patio there.
We ordered two fish and they were both a little boney. The atmosphere is nice outside and they have music during the summer.
I wouldn’t rush back for the food as the fish I had at most other places was better. But the atmosphere is lovely and they have a good selection of champagne.

Magical al fresco dining experience in the garden adjoining the restaurant. Classic french cooking done right. Classy, romantic, and not over-​the-​top like the rest of Saint-​Tropez.