Topic ID 3707
Has anyone eaten here recently ? Had lunch here last week and was really disapointed, I know it is only a chain but it used to be a place to have a quick bite at a reasonable price and the food was always good. I had a piece of chicken that was soooo dry it was inedible and the wife had steak that was extremely tough. Breakfast is still good but are they just trading on the fact that it is one of the few places you can sit outside on a nice day to eat. where else in the town can you sit outside and watch the world go by ?
Reply ID 53972
I've eaten there once and I wouldn't go back. The food is somehow heavy, bland and stale-tasting all at the same time, while being relatively expensive. The fact that it is based around the idea of a French bistro must make the owners of such establishments turn in their graves.
Reply ID 53974
The food is all delivered part cooked and then frozen - even the croque sandwiches!! The only fresh thing on the menu is the salad. Caffe Uno is a better prospect but sadly has no outside seating. The hotel is soon to gain approval for tables and chairs in Parliament Square - here's hoping the food is good and the service has improved [:)]
Reply ID 53975
I have to say (from distant memory) that I could fuel the car with their French Onion Soup.......
Reply ID 53978
Wow, i cant believe the comments, we ate there last week for lunch and it was amazing - 2 of the best desserts we ever had, and the salads were fresh and well put together with good variety! So i'd reccomend! Although i still believe it can be slow when busy - thanksfully it was relatively quiet when we went. Also you can't beat sitting outside in the square, very nice!
Reply ID 53982
I can only describe Cafe Rouge as woeful. Everytime I have been the service is woeful and the food is basic and tasteless. After my last visit I won't be going back in a hurry. If the hotel get's outside seating then that would hopefully buck Cafe Rouge's ideas up.
Reply ID 53986
quote:I think the head waiter from cafe Rouge moved over to the hotel a while back.
Originally posted by Bubbaoshea
I can only describe Cafe Rouge as woeful. Everytime I have been the service is woeful and the food is basic and tasteless. After my last visit I won't be going back in a hurry. If the hotel get's outside seating then that would hopefully buck Cafe Rouge's ideas up.
Reply ID 53994
quote:Oh God!!! So the 'chefs' aren't even trusted to make a toasted sandwich. That explains a lot though, how is it that this chain survives?!
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
The food is all delivered part cooked and then frozen - even the croque sandwiches!! [:)]
Reply ID 53995
I've not had a problem with Cafe Rouge, although their slow service is well documented. I can't believe that someone actually rated Caffe Uno above them though. Many the negative things said here about Rouge is exactly what I've experienced at Uno. I've been two or three times before and vowed never to go back, whereas I've yet to have a bad experience at CR.
Reply ID 53997
quote:But doesn't it put you off that the food is part cooked, then frozen, then finished off at the restaurant?!
Originally posted by Steve
I've not had a problem with Cafe Rouge, although their slow service is well documented. I can't believe that someone actually rated Caffe Uno above them though. Many the negative things said here about Rouge is exactly what I've experienced at Uno. I've been two or three times before and vowed never to go back, whereas I've yet to have a bad experience at CR.
Reply ID 53998
quote:Gordon ramsay does that with some of his ingredients! Well with pastry anyway :)
But doesn't it put you off that the food is part cooked, then frozen, then finished off at the restaurant?!
Reply ID 53999
Gordon is a god [8D]
Reply ID 54002
quote:I suspect thats par for the course at most chain outfits. It doesn't put me off to any great degree - like Steve I've not had a particularly bad experience at Cafe Rouge. The worst I can say is that they ran out of our choice of wine on one occasion. If you want fancy fresh food go to the Hillside. Oh yes, silly me....
Originally posted by Jo S But doesn't it put you off that the food is part cooked, then frozen, then finished off at the restaurant?!
Reply ID 54003
quote:Thinking about it, my honest answer has to be no. I don't really care how the food gets to my table - so long as it tastes good and isn't overpriced for what it actually is. I suspect that many of the restaurants in Hertford are guilty of using pre-prepared ingredients.
Originally posted by Jo Squote:But doesn't it put you off that the food is part cooked, then frozen, then finished off at the restaurant?!
Originally posted by Steve
I've not had a problem with Cafe Rouge, although their slow service is well documented. I can't believe that someone actually rated Caffe Uno above them though. Many the negative things said here about Rouge is exactly what I've experienced at Uno. I've been two or three times before and vowed never to go back, whereas I've yet to have a bad experience at CR.
Reply ID 54006
I had breakfast there on Saturday morning, it was OK but the joy of eating outside on a summers morning was just priceless!! Breakfasts at HHH are better, let's hope they get permission to set tables outside
Reply ID 54007
I thought the slow service was supposed to be a reflection of the pace of mediterranean/continental life? We seem to be kept waiting even when they are not busy. Surely it must be purposefully slow? No waiter/waitress service can be that bad?...can it? [:(] Do agree however it is great to sit in the square with a bottle of wine.[:p]
Reply ID 54008
quote:I find a Leffe more satisfying [8D]
Originally posted by Richie
Do agree however it is great to sit in the square with a bottle of wine.[:p]
Reply ID 54012
quote:HHH were refused permission for tables outside.
Originally posted by MoJo
I had breakfast there on Saturday morning, it was OK but the joy of eating outside on a summers morning was just priceless!! Breakfasts at HHH are better, let's hope they get permission to set tables outside
Reply ID 54027
quote:The reasoning is in the application. [url]http://e-services.eastherts.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=3/07/1352/FP&theTabNo=1&backURL=<a%20href=wphappcriteria.display?paSearchKey=108494>Search%20Criteria</a>%20>%20<a%20href='wphappsearchres.displayResultsURL?ResultID=231070%26StartIndex=1%26SortOrder=APNID:asc%26DispResultsAs=WPHAPPSEARCHRES%26BackURL=<a%20href=wphappcriteria.display?paSearchKey=108494>Search%20Criteria</a>'>Search%20Results</a>[/url]
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:HHH were refused permission for tables outside.
Originally posted by MoJo
I had breakfast there on Saturday morning, it was OK but the joy of eating outside on a summers morning was just priceless!! Breakfasts at HHH are better, let's hope they get permission to set tables outside
Reply ID 63794
Well I see that Cafe Rouge seem to have expanded the number of tables they have outside quite considerably - was very busy on Friday night a couple of weeks back when the weather was so good.
Reply ID 73042
Haven't been to Cafe Rouge for a while and so having not booked anywhere went back on Friday eve. Busy but we got a table with no problem. I know it is a chain, but the food has always been good here and service was fine too. Hopefully if the weather improves (I hear rumours from a reliable weather company that we might be in for a hot summer!) they will have all the tables back outside again.
Reply ID 74815
Two of us had dinner here this evening. The service was very good, my friend's Duck Confit was judged as simply superb and the dauphinoise potatoes with it were rated as fantastic. My steak was cooked to perfection and the bottle of Cotes du Rhone we shared was excellent. One of the most enjoyable meals I've had in Hertford this year - well done!
Reply ID 93969
I notice that Cafe Rouge has undergone a refurb recently - haven't eaten there yet but it certainly looks very nice inside and far more modern.
Reply ID 93971
quote:Yes, they appear to have tiled the signage with public toilet tiles.
Originally posted by Donostia
http://www.afroditi.com/work/brand-restaurant-design-2/
Reply ID 93972
You can't polish a turd.
Reply ID 93974
I have always enjoyed Cafe Rouge and use the Hertford and Cambridge ones. I think the last post was rather offensive and I will reserve judgement on the refurb till I next eat there... but I like their restaurants and they serve a good purpose![:)]
Reply ID 93975
No offense intended, perhaps a giggle at most. It looks very nice now, I just find the food plain awful, minus their tapas menu and their French onion soup. It always amazes me how they are always packed, however as you say, it clearly is meeting a demand.
Reply ID 93976
quote:Me too. The mussels and frites are fabulous. I've always found the service to be very good too.
Originally posted by Drama Queen
I have always enjoyed Cafe Rouge and use the Hertford and Cambridge ones. I think the last post was rather offensive and I will reserve judgement on the refurb till I next eat there... but I like their restaurants and they serve a good purpose![:)]
Reply ID 93982
quote:I would agree. I enjoyed an excellent steak the last time we visited.
Originally posted by Robboquote:Me too. The mussels and frites are fabulous. I've always found the service to be very good too.
Originally posted by Drama Queen
I have always enjoyed Cafe Rouge and use the Hertford and Cambridge ones. I think the last post was rather offensive and I will reserve judgement on the refurb till I next eat there... but I like their restaurants and they serve a good purpose![:)]
Reply ID 93983
Just me then [:D][:D][:D]
Reply ID 93985
quote:Mrs S is with you re the tiles but is the Moules Frites are good I might have to visit for the first time (in 15 years)!
Originally posted by mdjaquote:Yes, they appear to have tiled the signage with public toilet tiles.
Originally posted by Donostia
http://www.afroditi.com/work/brand-restaurant-design-2/
Reply ID 93993
quote:They are called Metro tiles (After the London Underground). All the rage at the moment. I love the look.
Originally posted by mdjaquote:Yes, they appear to have tiled the signage with public toilet tiles.
Originally posted by Donostia
http://www.afroditi.com/work/brand-restaurant-design-2/
Reply ID 93997
quote:Would be boring if we ALL liked the same thing!
Originally posted by Louis M
Just me then [:D][:D][:D]
Reply ID 94054
Visited last Friday after a gap of about 2 years. Have to say, it was really good. Our waitress was lovely and all the food was great - the sirloin I opted for was one of the best I have ever had. Quite liked the new decor too.