French Service Controversy: A Triumphant Reopening for Bob Chang

With a menu translated into French and a waiter with the same last name as the mayor of Quebec, Korean restaurant Bob Chang reopened its doors Wednesday evening to the delight of many of its customers.

• Read more: Korean restaurant Bob Chang: Marchant makes a mini mee gulpa

• Read more: The restaurant claims he was threatened

“I found four hours in my schedule and I’m happy to help them. They’re adorable,” said Béatrice Marchant, a student at the École du Barreau du Québec, who is not related to Bruno Marchant.

The young woman was not idle on Wednesday, with customers being greeted, take-out orders, telephone reservations and invoices to be completed. At the end of the line, the calls were slightly longer due to encouraging messages.

Without the full crowd, the dining room was very busy. Already, the smiling staff has learned some typical formulas like “Bon Appétit.”

Newspaper I was able to taste a great “pul-go-ji BBQ” or grilled and marinated slices of Korean beef.

An honor to grow

The restaurant on Avenue Maguire in Sillery, embroiled in a political-linguistic saga, made headlines since October 12 because it was almost impossible to get service there in French.

Without offering a formal apology, Bruno Marchant admitted that he should have shown more “altruism” in the file.

The mayor had previously said that labor shortages should not be an “excuse” for not serving customers in French. Mr. Marchand admitted that he “certainly” could have expressed himself differently.

“There is really little mercy for our traders who take the initiative to come and settle. Opening a business is already a lot of effort for a French-speaking Quebecer. So someone who decides to uproot himself needs the goodwill of the community.

You should be proud to see them learn instead of angry,” explained Stephanie Salman, the first customer of the evening with her wife and their 21-month-old son.

“It’s a bit of bad advice on the mayor’s part,” added Mark Bowin, a big fan of Korean food.

“I was surprised coming from him who worked at Centride. But he apologized and that’s fine,” said another customer, who did not want to be named.

The restaurant declined to comment on its reopening. Those around him explain that he wants to protect his children, who “don’t know racism.”

The latter could rely on temporary staff and volunteer servers to reopen his restaurant and provide service in French.

Positive result

Maguire, chief executive of the Business Development Corporation (SDC), said he was delighted to finally see people rallying behind the franchise.

“I am very proud of the reaction of the people in the neighborhood. Citizens, politicians and businessmen are ready to help him. They understand the situation better and want to fix it in a welcoming way. We are in a situation of adaptation and the French are not denying the truth,” commented Bruno Salviel.

According to him, the restaurateur had to learn a third language in four months.

“So that’s my call for patience. He’ll learn it. I’m not worried. In six months to a year, he’ll be able to hold a conversation in French.