Cafe Rouge

I went for a Christmas/​birthday dinner with some friends. The menu didn’t really excite me. Most of it was written in french. Even though there were deals you could pick from, i didn’t feel that I was really getting a deal. If the memory serves me right, I was looking for the lunch menu and for 10 pounds something the main dish was an omelette. Anyway I paid £16.95 for two courses. The first dish was Saumon Fumé,
Scottish smoked salmon with lemon & chive crème fraîche and rye bread, which was 1 longish slice of bread cut in two. No need to say more. For main dish I ordered Dinde Rôtie. Roast turkey with a caramelized onion & sage stuffing, bacon wrapped chipolata, Brussels sprouts and thyme jus. I asked mine without the sprouts because I wasn’t planning to touch them if they were in the plate. Taste was was good, nothing amazing though. The plate was a bit depressing, 0 for effort in presentation and the reason i didn’t take a photo of it it was i didn’t want to look displeased at my friends’ outing. At least we got some complementary roast veg because we ordered from the Christmas menu. I was kicking my self though for not ordering the Boeuf Bourguignon. Don’t know why i chose the other one but when my friends plate came inside me I was fuming for choosing wrong. It looked and tasted delicious (I was being cheeky and asked to try: P). So final conclusion is that taste wise was ok but a bit on the expensive side.

I had a good evening. No real complaints, but my only gripe would be that as we where the only people in the place I would have expected them to get my medium rare lamb right. It came out well done.
Food was still good, but that extra % of attention to detail may have brought 4 stars.

We were excited to try this restaurant after a movie at The Light. The ambiance was nice, the waitress was attentive, but the food lacked flavor. I had steak frites and the steak was overcooked and just didn’t remind me of the mouth-​watering yet simple meat in France. My date had a cream and veggie dish which was generally okay, but underflavored and undersalted. The prices weren’t bad, and I wouldn’t be averse to going again now that I know what to expect. With its «outdoor» seating (the tables and chairs outside the restaurant are still in the warmth of The Light), it seems like a great place for coffee and/​or dessert.

I visit The Light regularly and straight in front of me was Bagel Nash (love the Smoked Salmon Deluxe), to the right was Browns (They do an amazing alcohol free mohito and a great Sunday roast!) and to the left was Nando’s (visit regularly with my kids and may get round to reviewing one day) so why did I end up in Café Rouge?!
Every weekend The Light Cinema shows a film at 10am for only £1 per person and it was Yogi Bear this week, afterwards we always go for something to eat and as it was the Easter holidays I let my children decide. Unfortunately it was 11:30am so Café Rouge were still only serving breakfast but nevertheless we sat down and ordered. I ordered a Full English breakfast, it was no more than satisfactory but then I shouldn’t really complain as I can’t expect a French restaurant to do a Full English breakfast! My eldest son ordered the Vienoiseries which consisted of a petit croissant, a pain au chocolat and a french baguette. As mentioned in previous reviews he is a vegetarian who doesn’t like vegetables so this was a great choice for him! My youngest son ordered the Full English for children.
Now why only one star…
Firstly I asked for a glass of pressed apple juice to go with my breakfast and it was definitely concentrated. Very disappointing at £2.50!
Secondly my son’s breakfast arrived without any bacon. I asked about this but the response was that the small breakfast did not include bacon and I had to actually show them the description on the menu which clearly said bacon!
After reading the other reviews I feel I need to give this chain another chance by ordering from their evening menu, and I may do so at another time but for now I would just say avoid the breakfast menu unless you’re into pastries and croissants, really fatty bacon and cheap apple juice!

The world would be a better place if we all had a little French in us. Some may beg to differ, but nobody can deny that Parisians have that little bit of class and sophistication if a huge dollop of surliness at times too. So when I’m in need of a quick French fix I get my kicks at Café Rouge.
It’s a typical European style café and bar. Lots of dark moody places to sit inside. It’s a nice joint, with spot on atmospheric décor and waiters who look like they’ve just come in from the Eiffel Tower. They want you to know this is French and I think they do it pretty well actually.
As for the drinks, well spot on sir, spot on. The wines are expensive but classy little numbers. Check out some of the sparkling for some fizz that’s not Champagne but tastes as fresh and crisp as the real deal. You want a good coffee? No problem either. It’s all there for you.
As for the food, top marks once again. I personally like the goats cheese salad which is rich and creamy beyond words. After all, the French know their cheeses. You can go for more traditional options or even sandwich it up with a nice order of fries with that (although I think they’ll curse at me calling them fries!).

Café Rouge, having for years been situated in a lovely white building by the Corn Exchnage, has downsized to a little space in the Light. A bold mood, but undoubtedly brings a few more folks in now, due to there being a popular car park as part of the complex, ensuring people will definitely walk past and see it!
A french chain, Café Rouge is like a cross between Browns with Bella Italia décor. Despite that measely description on my part, although I prefered it in its old location, it will always be a decent place to take a visitor (parental) due to its uncomplicated menu, guarenteed to please any diner, whatever their taste, and it is only slightly above par in terms of price. They serve up half chickens, steaks and fish, and more, but don’t let the sound of that put you off for being too basic, the flavours they use by way of herbs are delicious, and due to the service and the selection of wine to accompany your meal, a touch of class is added. The food is fantastic, and wont break the bank, providing there aren’t too many diners!

Charming and elegant yet relaxed and quaint is a perfect way to describe Café Rouge situated in The Light. Table service is quick, friendly and professional and staff are willing and able to offer their advice and help over any dish you may wish to choose from.
I decided upon the Demi Poulet which is a Garlic and Thyme Chicken dish that comes complete with French fries, watercress and beurre maison. It is divine! I also ordered a side of Herb Mash which was just the right side of the herb garden for my liking.
A glass of soft, fruity Merlot Vin de Pays d’Oc accompanied my dish perfectly. And for £16.60 it was an absolute steal.
The food was cooked beautifully and the service was faultless.
I would recommend trying the Crème Brulee for dessert.