Like it or loathe it – and most food writers fall into the latter camp – London is full of chain restaurants.<\/p>\n
Successful owners open more – the Jamie Oliver franchise – and sometimes forget that being able to run one eaterie does not mean you can run several – the Hix group which started well with one place has fared less happily with some of its other openings.<\/p>\n
Additionally, property owners prefer chains – they are more likely to get the rent on time. And the British public tends to go for names they know.<\/p>\n
But while I tend to dodge the obvious chain offerings, one group – Cote Brasserie – is the exception. This has a large number of outlets in London plus many others across the UK. At the last count, it was over 70 – and when the group last changed hands, it went for \u00a3250 million. It has ambitions to treble in size – whether that works or not will depend on how free each restaurant is to attract its own client\u00e8le.<\/p>\n
I’ve been to quite a few Cotes in the capital and elsewhere. And if you want a good, admittedly not outstanding, meal at a good value price, Cote is difficult to knock.<\/p>\n
The service is good – the waiting staff sort out problems promptly (not that I have encountered many but I did go to one with someone determined to complain before he even started) and they serve you water without having to ask (which is how it should be).<\/p>\n
The d\u00e9cor and the menu are unashamedly copies of the classic French bistro – but then many French bistros are copies of each other.<\/p>\n
My last visit – to the branch in Kensington – was for dinner with two others (restaurants hate odd numbers!) and we were all pleased with our versions of French classics – moules frites, fish stew, duck breast – with good first courses and puddings.<\/p>\n
Wine – all very drinkable – starts from a very reasonable \u00a316.50 to \u00a318.50 a bottle with virtually nothing over \u00a335. You don’t need a bank loan to drink here.<\/p>\n
You’ll do very well on a budget of under \u00a350 per person for three courses, wine and coffee.<\/p>\n
The three course set menu – times vary – comes in around \u00a315 in London, less elsewhere. There could be a bit more food on each plate here but it’s still good value.<\/p>\n
So Cote gets my vote.<\/p>\n
Cote Brasserie<\/p>\n