La Papaye Verte - Alençon

Our first visit in March was ok. Service very slow, food good but not hot. Only one other table in there all night so why so slow? Revisit last week. Several tables waiting, no sign of food. Waited for 20 minutes with our menus. Owner seemed to be in kitchen helping to cook. No other staff. We gave up and walked out. The shame is the food is good and we hate the all you can stuff your face with buffet chinese restaurants that are everywhere so there is a market for good chinese food. Just don't expect your food to be quick or hot.

After a week of indulging in luscious French food we were craving something Asian en route home. Spotting La Papaya Verte we immediately pulled over. We were a bit late but still were seated by the nice owner. Around us locals were finishing up their lunches probably the €9,50 lunch menu. We went for à la carte when we spotted the soupe tonkinoise (pho), which had raw beef, cooked beef and beef meatballs. We also had a starter of nems and spring rolls. Lots of fresh herbs, a bit of lime, lovely. Even though they probably had to keep open late(r) because of us, we weren't rushed at all, having some coffee and being offered hot towels after our meal. A nice place, I can fully understand why locals would come here for lunch.

I 've never been disappointed by the quality of the food at this restaurant, even after have tried half of the items of the menu. I would especially recommend the assortiment vapeur 2personnes for starters. The price is not exuberant (in general around 20€ per person for a three course meal). The owner is extremely nice, talkative and pleasant. But the service is often slow (especially when there are more than two tables) as the chef is an elderly lady.

You must go often, the restaurant will close February 2021, retired.

This small restaurant (a few covered only) is held by some old Vietnamese, in the room, lady in the kitchen. It is a family, fresh, gourmet and copied cuisine. The boss, if we know him a little, accept the joke in good mood. on is far from the Chinese restaurants everything you can eat! they will obviously not make a fortune with their small group, but they deserve and courageous. I recommend trying, because in general, at least I think, trying to adopt it.