Cafe Bleu

Anna Hemmingway (29 April 2007)

We live in Newark and we've eaten at Cafe Bleu a few times. Having come from London, I of course make comparisons with the Ivy and other London restaurants. (They seem to be regarded as the East Midlands answer to the Ivy, so why not make a comparison?)

Whilst the food at CB is largely good, if a bit hit and miss sometimes and not perhaps as exciting as one might expect given its local reputation, the service can vary from OK to really appalling. On the last Sunday we visited a few weeks ago, I ordered a Bellini when we arrived, only to be greeted with a blank stare and "A what?". No Bellini then, so I ordered a Bombay Sapphire and slimline tonic, only to be given some foul tasting non slimline G & T from the bar pump - validated by the fact that I asked the barman to show me what he'd made the drink with, and he waved the pump at me in blasé fashion, and glared at me furiously when I retorted that it wasn't what I’d ordered, before plonking the requisite bottle of slimline in front of me and leaving me to walk back to my own table with it.

I then asked for the Olives from the menu, only to be told CB had "run out" - fair enough, but we had one of the earliest tables of the day, and if they had no Olives, why at least hadn't they popped across the road to Waitrose, who have a very large olive bar indeed? The waiting staff on Sundays at CB are often junior, and the maitre d' was not present - I think it would help if he was there, as often the staff seem to lack direction and, certainly, experience. This isn't the first time I’ve had cause to fault the service at CB, and the attitude that they seem to exhibit when criticized is concerning given the reputation they seem to think they enjoy and the slightly pricey food they serve. Even if CB doesn't have much competition here, I’d like to see them try a bit harder with their staff training and sometimes hit and miss service.

Phil Chambers (29 December 2006)

We booked a table for the first time on 28/12/06. I have just recently started dating my new girlfriend and we took her family for them to meet me. I just want to say what a perfect night it was from the food to the service and we are going to book again in the near future. Once again thank you.

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