Brighton Forum: Is Cote good quality/value?

Thanks, Poppy.

Fancied french style and like the look of it, wouldn't go to Iguanos for this, tend to to that youngsters in tow and have found it ok, fun atmosphere, good lunch deals too but I digress.

Cote sounds good, looks good, and it's handy for the time and location we want, hopefully some other regulars will add to your observation, thanks for your views.

Stoofer.

I loved Cote when I went but watch out for the hefty service charge

Like Poppy, I really rate Côte. I've been to the Brighton branch numerous times, and one of the London branches as well, and I think it's both good quality and good value.

I like Brasserie Blanc as well (though I had a better experience at the Oxford branch than the Chichester branch - having said that, though, I'd go again to the Chichester BB), and it's similar to Côte. The latter has a larger menu, and is great for steak & frites, whereas the BB menu is more seasonal.

Thanks bton girl & artgirl

I don't mind a service charge if the service is good, in an ideal world the charge ensures a good rate of pay for the staff and professional attitude when serving and it negates the decision regarding what to tip as it's done

unless someone excells. I realise the system is abused but anyway, no worries about service charge for me although I am one who refuses to pay it if i get poor service, something more folk should do IMO. ;-)

Authentic steak frites sound good artgirl, so thanks for the comparision with BB. I've been to the Chi branch a few times, find portions small but

quality ingredients and chefs that know what they are doing. Blanc does well in Chi with a good Maison Blanc too and whilst a bit pricey I've been unable to fault them on the food presented.

3 out of 3 good recs. can't be bad and concurs with reviews, so I think we'll gve Cote a try.

Cheers

Stoofer

Re the service charge. You can always ask them to take it off and personally give your waiter/waitress a tip. We tend to do this, especially where the staff don't get a portion of the service charge.

Hmmm, well yes Poppy, but that's a can of worms.....

Because it doesn't always work as the management should want to know who was serving when a service charge was refused as it signals service failure. The principle of service charge is *supposed to be* that you will definitely get very good service and it's in the service charge advertised.

it would be far better if covered by legislation as promised several years ago. Too many unscrupulous companies misuse service charge and tips. It's why we often get poor service in UK, the waiting staff don't get enough money so professionals are few and far between. Also service charge and tips/bills quality is an uphill battle in U.K., getting better but It's not in our culture to complain when we should. I reckon 90% of complaints we see on TA are from folk who never complained on-site concerned and a large number of restaurants with poorly paid staff not good at their jobs are collecting service charges wrongly, in many cases it's scandalous.

Grumble, Grumble, Grumble ;-)

Stoofer

P.S. It could be worse, the U.S. culture of grovelling OTT in yer face service to make up a low wage is a disgrace IMO,

I ate at Cote in Guildford last night, and had a good meal. Had 3 courses for £11.90 which was very good value I thought. Meal portions not overly generous though.

Wonder if they have the same set menu in all their restaurants?

I had pear / goat's cheese salad; the seabass; apple flan

Hi Gilligan

I think the menus much the same and the set menu deals the same. One thing I dislike is arriving on a Saturday and seeing a 3 course meal on the menu that works out half price if you go midweek or at a early bird time, always makes me think the original prices are way too high and to avoid weekends..

I've not been to any branch of Cote, especially in Brighton there is such a huge selection of eating places that branches rarely appeal but French restaurants are thin on the ground here and this Cote site is a lovely building. It's very nicely renovated and literally the building opposite the concert hall.

Given this input I'm sure the meal will be good, just a question of is it worth going a la carte at those prices when 'meal deals' are available, somewhat limited deals on a Saturday so most likely a £100 + spend for 3. I we can eat and drink really well elsewhere for that close by, hence my caution..

Stoofer

I've eaten at Cote on three occasions now, and the first time (within a couple of weeks of opening) was by far the best experience, in my last 2 visits however the food was a let down, ridiculously over cooked steak and a cremated Duck Confit. Whilst its a place with a buzzy vibe and always full, its not fine dining for sure (ha!, where is these days in town??).