Cafe Rouge – Wokingham

Having tried Café Rouge in Windsor and finding it wonderful, we wanted to try this one, closer to where we live. It’s just as good. Absolutely excellent, and indeed better, because they don’t open doors onto the street, leaving you shivering, like in Windsor. No, we found this to be a cosy, warm retreat from the ridiculous traffic jam that is Wokingham. Perfect. The waiter, Dan, was wonderfully attentive. The décor is the same as the others; after all, it is a chain. All immaculate, roomy and welcoming, with plenty of art on the walls. Coloured pencils were brought as our two-​year-​old was made welcome. Other diners were a mix of mature couples, young better-​behaved families and a few groups. All looked very content with their choice. We had the seven warm bread batons to start. Delicious, and they were happy to give us two pots of garlic butter instead of one pot and one pot of the other stuff. Then I had the boeuf bourguignon. Incredible, with such soft, tender beef. My wife had the croque monsiuer again, and our little lad enjoyed a chicken goujon dish, wth a glass of milk and an amazing little chocolate sundae from their child’s menu. Everything was perfect. Well, okay, the table wobbled. But we simply informed Dan and he dipped down and corrected the situation for us right away. Oh, and a touch more garlic butter would have made my wife and I less worried we’d run out of dip before bread, but I bet they’d bring more if you asked. Happy with everything, really. We will be making this our regular now. If only we didn’t have to inch in along Wokingham’s traffic just to park near the place!!!

Wokingham has a ridiculous number of Italian and Indian restaurants, so anything else is a welcome change. Café Rouge, although a chain restaurant, offers an intimate cosy atmosphere and a delicious range of French food.
I started with a deep fried Camembert, which was nice enough but fairly similar to most other breaded Camemberts. However my steak was cooked beautifully, just a minute over mooing, and the chips were addictive.
My friends had similar meals, which they also enjoyed.
The desserts looked damn tasty, and I’d have dived in had I not been so full.
If you’re fed up of pasta or pizza, I’d definitely recommend Café Rouge. Particularly as you get discount with both TasteCard and Gourmet Society.

This branch opened during summer 2010. Before it was IMO, a really naff chain pub called The New Rose. Before that & for many years, it was a Berni Inn.
Went there one Thursday late summer 2010 for an evening meal with my girlfiend.
Olives to start. Leilah had Boeuf Bourguignon I had Confit de Canard, both with French beans & dauphinoise potatoes, washed down with bottle of Sauvignon Blanc.
The beef was very tender & very tasty, the sauce fine. My duck was little short of spectacular even the potatoes exceeded expectations (that were high). The beans were cooked to perfection & not undercooked as can be the fashion!
Having been thoroughly impressed so far, it would have been rude not to sample the desserts!
I ordered Pave au Chocolat Leilah, the Assortiment Dessert. Neither disappointed! Coffee followed.
We didn’t overdo the Hors D’Oeuvres, our choice was quite rich for a warm summer evening the menu does include lighter courses.
Well worth a visit.
Added 11/​06/​2013
Returned about a month ago. Was overcharged for two puddings each didn’t notice until the next day so showed them the receipt the next day got a refund without fuss. Food was just OK so drops a star