Cote (Tavistock St)

As part of a group of six I ate at the Covent Garden branch last Wednesday. It was after work and the place was very busy with people going to the theatre.

The atmosphere was buzzing and once we were sat the waitress was with us fairly quickly. None of us had starters, no reason, and went for a mixed bag of main courses, duck, fish cakes, steak frite and salad nicoise. My tuna was perfectly cooked, still pink, and the salad was good. Everybody enjoyed their food, and although the duck was over cooked it was tasty; all accompanied by a nice Pinot Noir to drink. No desserts either this time. We never felt rushed and the service was efficient save for when we tried to order the second bottle of wine; bit of struggle to attract anyone's attention

I like Cote restaurants and have eaten in a couple, for those who don't know them they are a French version of Strada, it's good food and nice atmosphere for the price.
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nickdoris - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, October 11, 2012

Delicious lunch last Saturday, but the restaurant was packed to heaving with deafening noise levels and the manic atmosphere just made us want to leave as soon as possible! Our poor waiter deserved a medal for being able to tolerate and work in such bedlam plus we had an awful table right next to the preparation area which certainly didn't help! Having said that, the food arrived swiftly as we had requested (we were going to the theatre afterwards) and as usual the fillet steaks were tender and tasted fabulous, the fries tasty and crisp and the bernaise sauce scrumptious. Didn't stay for pudding, although I do love Cote's creme caramel, but we just couldn't bear to stay a moment longer with all the banging and crashing of cutlery and plates, people jostling and pushing past our table, as well as all the shouting over the din! Think we will stick to our gently buzzy usual branch of Cote in High Street Kensington!
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KikLondon
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 10
Monday, February 20, 2012

Having a nice setting doesn't make it all, service very unpersonal. It didn't feel very French as much for the service which was rushed and not friendly and my main came cold as I waited 20 minutes.. Not coming back
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3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Friday, December 23, 2011

I visited this place on Wednesday, lunch time. Unfortunately, I cannot particularly recommend this "French like bistro". I was attracted by the lunch offer of 12 pounds or so for a glass of wine and a main dish. Food is reasonable or O.K, service not very kind. Risotto was undercooked and when I mentioned to the waiter, he seemed not to bother about it. If you never tried "vegetarian" risotto (containing asparagus, rocket, spinach, onion, pesto, beans and so on.....) before......you won't be surprised by the only ingredient you can strongly taste: garlic.

I have not tried other dishes, but my partner did not seem very impressed with the sausage dish.
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sofia
5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Monday, November 14, 2011

I like Cote Restaurants generally for the good food, stylish decor and good service. However, at my last visit at this restaurant, I was not too impressed with the food. Some of it was too salty and one of my friends was very disappointed with the steak frites, which was sliced very thinly instead of hammered thin.

I have a feeling the quality is declining but let's hope not.
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Greedy Pig
7 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, April 12, 2011

We visited mid Friday afternoon, and the restaurant was occupied to the right level - enough diners to create a bright and buzzy atmosphere, but not too full to slow service or create a delay. Evidently lots of regulars in the place, and having eaten, I can quite see why.

Starters of chicken livers with grapes, pine kernels and raisins (the best I've had) and reblochon pissaladiere led perfectly into four main courses, all of which were eagerly devoured by their hungry recipients. There was a lot of "Mmm, try this" and proferring of sample forkfuls across the table.

Desserts were to the same high standard.

I had ordered a side of tomato and shallot salad which didnt arrive, and when I pointed this out to the waiter when paying the bill, they knocked off not only the salad but also the price of the drinks, which was welcome but entirely unnecessary, and most generous of them.

Cote is very highly recommended, and we will be back again soon.

Lunch for four, including service came to £80 - a bargain in a well-located and welcoming place such as this.
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matt hodsdon
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, February 25, 2011

The food and service are good and the lunch menu is great value. The service is better if you sit inside. It is a brilliant location for the theatres around Covent Garden. Definitely worth a visit for good value bistro dining.
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Steph - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Sunday, January 23, 2011

We looked at a few restaurant reviews on london-eating before deciding on Cote. The general concensus was that this place was good and having now used it last night for dinner (pre-theatre menu) and this morning for breakfast (morning after the night of said theatre!) we'd agree with every word previously said.

Cote serve up a delicious, beautifully prepared and immaculately presented meal. The service is absolutely spot on, the ambiance utterly wonderful - very Parisian, in the best possible way! As an aside, the location could not be more convenient for the Theatre Royal...it really is a stone's throw away.

Yes it's tiny bit expensive, but certainly not excessively so. If you want something good, then you've got to expect to pay for it - end of.

All in all, very highly recommended.
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Max Harris
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, January 02, 2011

I visited Cote Covent Garden with a friend two weeks ago and was so impressed. Friday evening in London I am used to being hurried out of restaurants after a couple of hours. Here we sat from 6 until 10:30 attended to with charming service and delicious food at a price that is extremely reasonable for central London. I decided yesterday to visit alone, just to see if my original visit was a one off. Again - great service and great food. This is what Chez Gerard tries to do and fails at all the time. The service is what impresses me so much - where do they find such friendly, welcoming staff? Not just my server, but everyone who makes eye contact with you smiles and asks how you are. I am a fan and will be using the restaurant a whole lot more.
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andyb - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, October 22, 2010

I have been to this Cote twice and have found the same thing on both occasions. It is certainly value for money, the food is perfectly adequate but the service was stretched outside. This is a good chain restaurant but sit inside.
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wagonwheel - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Monday, October 11, 2010