Cote (Soho)

Good food - not exceptional, but nice - and a nice atmosphere.

I had the terrine for starter and sea bass for main - both were pleasing, the fish came with a nice slightly cheesy sauce and was cooked to a good standard.

Away from the food everything was faultless. I was there on a date and it was perfect for the occasion, not too loud, good service, good food, good value... would recommend it to most people. just don't expect a gourmet banquet - its about 8/10 for food, but it's probably not going to break into your top 5 of all time meals.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Cote Soho never fails to deliver on all counts! I've eaten here many times in the last year and its just as consistent as ever. I took a colleague here for dinner on Thursday night and enjoyed another excellent night of food, wine and terrific service from Cote. The prawn starter was amazing and the chicken perfectly cooked, moist and tasty. The service was as it should be just right, never too much never too little but always attentive.

If you are looking for somewhere for a quick bite or a nice long dinner with friends this is the place. I have brought many clients and friends here over the last year and none have been dissappointed! As ever the atmosphere is great, the feel is relaxed and Nick and his team provide you with excellent service and warmth. Try it you wont be dissappointed!
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Alan
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, November 25, 2009

We went to Cote for the first time last night and had a mixed experience. We arrived early, around 6pm, and the restaurant was still pretty quiet. As a result the service was pretty spot on, and timings between the food orders being taken and the food arriving were fine. However, we ordered a dessert to share at 6.45pm and when this had still not arrived by 7.20 we had to flag someone down in order to cancel it, as we were going to be late for our film. When doing so, the waiter wasn't apologetic at all, and seemed more put out than really necessary at having to get our bill for us. Meanwhile, although the food was quite nice, two mains and two soft drinks came to £40...not exactly helpful on the pocket. Not sure if we'd go back at this stage.
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Courtney
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Thursday, July 16, 2009

I was trying to find somewhere in central London that served decent food, in a good atmosphere at a reasonable price. This turned out to be a pretty daunting task when reading through reviews of many of the restaurants around central London on this site, many of which seemed to be charging high for low quality food.

Cote has generally good reviews on this site and I'm happy to say I agree with them. I went a couple of weeks ago with two friends for an early dinner (around 6 ish). It was a hot day so the large panel windows at the front of the restuarant were open making it very light and airy, with a decent amount of space and a pleasant atmosphere that seems a happy medium between formal and informal (if that makes sense). I imagine it looked nice in there later in the evening with lower lightling and with less of the street outside on view!

Our waiter was very prompt and polite and seemingly always happy to help. I did realise that as we were eating early, they probably wanted us in and out as quick as possible before main evening shift, but we didn't feel particularly hurried (although our main course did come out pretty quickly).

The food was all very nice. I had the steak while my friends had chicken, all were cooked very well and were what I'd expect for the price. Speaking of which, was very reasonable, although none of us drank any alcohol, so this may be where they make up the difference (although I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that's no the case)!

Overall, well worth a visit, especially for a lunch or a light dinner before or after going to the theatre or whatever else. Do give it a try.

PS- We visited Cote on a week night, so service etc was probably all a bit quicker than on the weekend as it was not full.
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Tony
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Thursday, June 25, 2009

I liked the calm interior of this restaurant and chose to face inwards, finding the dark decor and soothing atmosphere preferable to facing the dull grot of Wardour Street. Greeter and waitress were friendly and efficient. The cool tap water in a stone bottle was a nice touch. I opted for the early evening menu (up to 7pm) at £11.70 for 3 courses, plus the anchovy pissaladiere. This had just the right balance of soft and crisp in the bread, with the sweetness of the caramelised onions contrasting perfecty with the salty fishiness of melting anchovies and the savoury punch of black olives. It was better than the starter of bayonne ham, green salad and grape chutney - nothing wrong with it, it was good, but the bread edged it.

The main of grilled seabream fillet was lovely, a soft yet firm piece of fish with perfectly crisped charred skin, sitting on silky flageolet beans fragranced with bay and studded with tomato and onion. Creamy mashed potatoes (added as a side dish) completed it beautifully. I went for a really unctuous chocolate pot - good once I'd scraped away the unnecessary top layer of creme fraiche. A dark Americano coffee was just right. With my starter and main I'd drunk a very good Breton cider. Too often we forget what great ciders the French have.

This set menu is brilliant value, and even going a al carte wouldn't break the bank. I'll definitely return.
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Backdrifter
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, March 26, 2009

Today was the second time that my husband and I went to this restaurant. It is just fantastic. Excellent food and service, especially the steak, grilled chicken, mussles, fish, practically everything, will definitely go there again and strongly recommend it.
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Mahtab
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, January 24, 2009

Heard about this place after all the press, so thought I'd give it a go. Basically, I got exactly what I thought I'd get, from the positive reviews. I had a simple meal of garlic chicken and chips, which was very nice and a healthy portion. Came with a nice butter to put on the chips, and for a tenner you can't go much wrong. Had a nice glass of wine for £4.50, and liked the little pot that the free tap water came in.

Service was very good, very friendly and attentive, but not overbearing. Atmosphere was fine. Basically it's a great place to have a cheap meal if you're out and about. £15 gets you a proper meal in a nice environment. Will go back.
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Stephen H - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, December 31, 2008

After a fantastic first visit in which we had recommended this restaurant to most of our friends, we were thoroughly disappointed on our second visit to find things had radically declined in a couple of months. It seems in their initial opening they had pulled out all the stops for review's, press ect. and have now replaced it with the cheapest alternative. Rude and seemingly untrained waiting staff along with cold food that we had to send back, which we had already waited an hour for. Now a run of the mill chain restaurant. Such a shame as we had high hopes for what seemed excellent food and reasonably priced. Will not be rushing back.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Sunday, October 19, 2008

I went to Cote last night with an old Uni friend looking for some French flavours. We studied in France together and my mate used to be a waiter at the Nottingham Pierre Victoire so we were keen to try the next heir to the cheap French eats crown. The restaurant was very busy indeed but we were found a table within about 5-10 minutes. We shared a pistaladiere starter which was OK and then I had the Lalande roast chicken and my friend a sirloin steak. Both were excellent I ordered my chicken plain so was worried it would be dry but it was wonderfully moist, the steak was a perfect colour and taste. The fries were a bit tepid but nice enough washed down with a very reasonable red. A big plus for us was the complimentary filtered water which is a really positive touch. We had desert which for me was a bit of a let down as My Tarte Tatin though zesty had little crunch or caramel, my friends ice cream was fine. The bill came to £60 for two which was good going. I would go back as it is good honest fayre.
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David Ginsberg
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Thursday, October 02, 2008

They say that when you discover something great, you should keep it a secret.

Cote is my new favourite everyday restaurant. It is very reasonably priced, and serves delicious food in Central London.

There is something for everyone, so there is no need to look for anything elsewhere!

The Steak was cooked perfectly, and so was everything else. The wine was reasonable too.

Just do not know what to say apart from that this is the perfect medium price range restaurant, of which I think there are very few in London.

GO GO GO!
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j - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, September 26, 2008