Harden's survey result
Summary
“Yes, it’s a chain with an unadventurous menu and average cooking, but – judging by the buzzy tables of old friends catching up and office parties – this chain is getting it right”: so say supporters of these ubiquitous Gallic brasseries, which are tipped by their legions of fans (including parents) as a “cheap ’n’ cheerful” standby, charging “good prices for proper French food” – “slightly formulaic but nevertheless a standard for an informal lunch”. Its ratings continue to plummet, though, boosting those who feel that “sadly, standards have really declined of late”; and – with some incidents reported of “shockingly average food” – there are those who feel that “what was once a fairly reliable and good value (if predictable and unexceptional) chain has become a tired lottery, with quality varying hugely between branches”.
Summary
“OK its a chain”, but these faux French brasseries are one of the most talked-about brands in our annual diners’ poll, due to their huge army of fans who see them as a “not-brilliant but consistent” standby for a “cheap ’n’ cheerful meal disguised as something more upmarket” thanks to their “reasonable prices” and “very pleasant” ambience. For an easygoing breakfast, “family-friendly” meal or pre-theatre pit stop, they are particularly nominated. But while standards of service have held up relatively well here post-Covid, there was a strong feeling this year that the food is “on the wane” with lots of reports of “boring” or even “bad and unappealing” meals (“What has happened to Côte? It used to be so reliable, but we have had several experiences recently when we had to send dishes back because they’d been poorly cooked”).
Summary
“Nothing to set the heart racing, but decent, plain food, friendly staff and reasonable prices” all continue to carve out a surprisingly massive fanclub for this middle-of-the-road bistro chain as a “tolerable and relatively reliable fall back”. It’s particularly liked for breakfast (“something for everyone”), pre-theatre, or a family meal (“unfussy” and “you know what you are getting”). Few reports are wild with enthusiasm though – even some fans fear their feedback reads “almost as if I am damning it with faint praise”. And sagging ratings support those who feel it’s now really coming “off the boil” (indeed, struggling to simmer), in particular when it comes to ambience.
Summary
“It won’t blow you away, but is still adequate and reasonably competitively priced” remains the upbeat view on this ubiquitous high street chain, whose “bistro-style” offering still has a surprisingly large fanbase (including those with kids in tow). Its ratings are entering the danger zone, though, as it passes from private equity owner to owner – the latest having purchased it out of administration in October 2020. One sceptic notes: “my favourite chain is going from hero to zero under the new ownership, and heading down the same path as Café Rouge and Strada before it”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
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