Finally a light hearted look at disability that might actually make people stop and think about the serious stuff..........
Friday, 16 November 2007
Cote Bistro
We both took a days holiday today so we could go and buy Mel a funky wheelchair but being new to this disabled lark we did not realise that we would have to book an appointment in advance. The next available slot is in 3 weeks!
We could therefore spend the day doing whatever we fancied , eating and drinking came to mind. We tried to get a table at Chez Bruce but mid-day seemed more brunch than lunch so we plumped for this new restaurant that had recently opened up in Wimbledon Village that had received some decent reviews. Cote Bistro is the brainchild of Andy Bassadone, formerly MD of Caprice Holdings (The Ivy, Le Caprice and J Sheekey), and Chris Benians, one of his chefs. In 1999 they cleverly created Strada, a chic, mid priced Italian restaurant specialising in wood-fired pizza and pasta. The company ended up with 26 outlets before being sold in 2004 to businessman Richard Caring for £56 million. They have now launched their first bistro, which upon visiting , is something poor old Cafe Rouge should have become when the local pub went all gastro.
The place was absolutely rammed and we were incredibly lucky to get the last table , however once seated it dawned on us how old the clientele was, still this was Wimbledon Village. There were good points and bad points , sadly our experience aired on bad, the old duffers next to us had a ball! Service was extremely slow and mildly confusing with the starters arriving before the wine , 20 minutes seemed a long time wait,we stuck it out but sadly during this time 2 couples vacated their tables food less. Had Mel been a little quicker with the old pins we may well have joined them.
The food to be honest was not bad. Mel's starter of Hock terrine with a yummy chutney was lovely, but my Rilettes was disappointing. It was a reverse of fortune for the mains, I had confit of duck on a bed of butter beans with some poncy jus that was to die for, being the pig I am , I also had a side of unnecessary frites. Mel had Moules that unfortunately seemed to come in a bowl of flavourless cream.
The restaurant was very nice and had the potential for an incredibly strong brand identity. They have done it with Italian food and trust me they will make it happen with French food. Within 24 months there will be a Cote Bistro on a high street near you!!!
Sadly, we would also like to point out that the Disabled access in this newly refurbished restaurant was appalling. Whilst it is appreciated the building is old it has been completely refurbished and no effort had been made to make the restaurant wheelchair accessible. No hand rails are provided on the high step to the restaurant from the pavement, and there was no sign of a ramp or a wheelchair call button. For those that are mobile enough to access via the one step into the building there are no ground floor toilets - these are in the basement accessed only via a steep stair case with a hand rail on only one side.
We are undecided as to whether we will go back.........
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