Hugo's (previously Organic Cafe)

Having been recommended Hugo's by a number of locals for the fantastic food we were bitterly dissapointed. The service was appalling, we felt like we put the waiter out merely by showing up, and then worse still by placing an order for food. Having experienced the shocking waiting service we were waiting to experience the "fantastic" food but no such luck, the food was just as substandard as the service.

For the price they were charging we couldn't believe the food that was served up to us. The presentation was somewhat lacking and we thought they might outdo themselves with the flavours but once again, bitterly dissapointed. The pasta that came with the fish looked like packet pasta thrown into not so hot water, barely warmed through and stuck together with no sauce or added flavour and the fish plonked on the top. The leg of lamb was a small steak of lamb - what happened to the leg? Once again plonked onto top of what appeared to be beans emptied straight out of a can and microwaved with the lamb slapped on the top.

We raised our concern with another staff member (waiter?) and questioned if this was how the meals were meant to be, had we turned up too late and the chef had gone home already and a kitchenhand was in charge of the kitchen? What was up with this place. We were informed that the menu was new that evening and they were trialling it and no one else had complained that night - I couldn't believe it? As visitors to London we were bitterly disspointed but maybe it was just a bad choice of restaurants, choice off the menu....?? On a good note tho, the spanish red we ordered was exquisite and very well priced. The venue is great, the place has potential....
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Saturday, May 24, 2008

We've been going to Hugo's/The Organic Cafe for years, and love the atmosphere. Recently the service has improved a lot - very friendly and attentive!
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Rachel
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Great setting, perfect for chatting with friends but the most pretentious staff I've ever come across. They act as if you shouldn't be there and that you're putting them out by even ordering. Ignore them and it 's great.
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Helen
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 1
Thursday, January 17, 2008

I am a local and a regular and whilst I am never surprised by the appalling service that they add 12.5% to the bill for, the food is normally excellent. Sunday nights are jazz nights and are popular, the specials and fish dishes are fantastic, and the chocolate brownie and icer cream dessert is to die for. Sadly the last time I ate there, I had the mussels which I wouldn't recommend since they were steeped in white pepper and too much salt. I'll still go back - sometimes I don't pay the 'optional' service charge when the service has been truly terrible, but the food is rarely disappointing if a little on the pricey side.
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lucy - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Having been here now for a second time after a disastrous first, I have come to the conclusion that there is no value for money here. The place has got great potential but too many issues to deal with. The food is so so but definately overpriced, service is poor, pretentious and amateurish. With staff that think they do you a favour of serving you rather then the other way around. On a different note the setting is very nice and they food is not that bad. If you fancy paying 12.5% service charge for something you do not get then you might want to give it a try.
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EW
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Hugo's could be so much better than it actually is. The food is good, yes. But that's about all to be said in its favour. The waiter might have grinned nicely but his grasp of English was weak. When we asked for tap water we received a warmish 0.7 litre bottle of the stuff which is scarcely generous. I was somewhat surprised that when we then asked for ice and such was the general atmosphere it arrived at all, but in keeping with the general atmosphere it was slammed on the table in the most ungracious way (before you cry cheapskates, we'd also ordered a bottle of organic wine between 2 adults and a soft drink for the child, plus with their much-flaunted green credentials you'd have thought they'd see the reason for not shipping bottled water the length and breadth of the country).

If a restaurant is going to serve traditional battered cod and chips and mushy peas (which to be fair were excellent in themselves) then they darn well ought to offer vinegar too. Ok, not everyone would choose it, but so far as I'm concerned it would have been much better than the lemon and the tartare sauce. To cap it all, the frigging salt cellar didn't work, which is pretty hopeless in a joint that does serve good chips. Tried inverting it and scarcely anything came out, so of course I put my finger over the top, pulled the plug out the bottom and got it out that way instead but could avoid spilling some on the table.

Although I live just round the corner I'd only ever been there with enthusiastic friends before so hadn't had the opportunity to scrutinise the bill for myself until today. 4.80 for a side order of chips, 5.50 for one dessert, and a mandatory 12.5% service charge suddenly enabled me to understand why I'd always correctly thought it grossly expensive for what it is.

It all speaks complacency and lack of attention to detail. I hope I won't be going back. Penks and the Salusbury are a step away and much to be preferred.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Saturday, July 28, 2007

I had to double and triple check we were talking about the same place here. Hugo's is a fantastic little place. It is very laid back and informal. The food is great and the wine list is ok. But the setting and the atmosphere are great, tucked down a little mews, french doors open and spilling out onto the mews in the summer, dark and inviting with candles in the winter.
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JShizzle
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, January 26, 2007

I really don't understand the bad reviews Hugo's has gotten, as I absolutely love the restaurant, love the food, love the jazz and love the chilled atmosphere. Went there again last night, had some wonderful mussles, smoked haddock and a delcious passionfruit tart. The staff was friendly as always, and the combination between the fantastic food, the hot weather and the jazz made this one of our best 'dinner nights' for a long time. Will definitely recommend the place to everyone!
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Julie - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, July 03, 2006

We were reasonably regular visitors to Hugo's with our three year old (mostly for weekend brunch) but have noticed a decline in quality and service. When ordering breakfasts recently we were told we couldn't order a half portion of pancakes for our child as there were 3 pancakes in a portion (with either bacon or fruit). When I asked if we could just get 2 pancakes on a plate this was refused - you apparently must choose something from the menu (or presumably there is chaos in the kitchen!) The booking was messed up (written in for the wrong day), the food and drinks were slow to arrive and very nearly cold when they did, and the bill took forever. If I were less honest I could have just walked out. Lots of staff so they can't be being overworked - just slapdash and uninterested. Given the prices this just isn't good enough. Try Jack's instead.
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Fiona - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Hugo's is a stalwart of Queen's Park and they play a great range of soothing Jazz music, though the customers tend to be at the older end of the QP crowd, however the atmosphere is young at heart. Service is attentive and homely, if a little short. I last went to Hugo's in 2004 and enjoyed the food immensely, however in 2006 perhaps a change of chef has caused dishes such as favorite 'Mediterranean Fish Stew' to come out made using farmed salmon, mussels and carrot. Not London's best 'organic', perhaps it's jazziest. I'd go back, but not to eat.
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Peter - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Saturday, June 10, 2006