Before moving to San Jose, Mashayekh had lived in Santa Maria, California where he met and married the mother of Scott Cooper (Le Papillon's Executive Chef).

Executive Chef Scott Cooper[8] was born in Santa Maria, California[9] and was 12 years old when his stepfather Mike Mashayekh opened Le Papillon.

Zagat Survey, in its San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants 2010, rated Le Papillon 27/30 for food, 23/30 for decor, and 27/30 for service.

[15] Animal activists conducted weekly street demonstrations at Le Papillon from April 3, 2010 to October 23, 2010, protesting the serving of foie gras by the restaurant.

The weekly protest was conducted by Santa Clara County Activists for Animals (SCCAA), a local group of animal-protection advocates.

The protesters expressed the view that the method of foie gras production, including the force-feeding of ducks, is cruel and inhumane.