Crumpet

SO disappointing. I had forgotten why I don't come here, and today I was reminded again.

This is a dirty place, with toys that look like they're never cleaned. The loo could be great - there's a big one for mummy, a smaller one for toddler and a changing table for baby – however the bathroom needs a lick of paint and a thorough clean.

The food is way over-priced and sub-standard. I'm not sure whether they buy in a strong cheddar (which really ought to be mild in a children's cafe) or if the cheese had simply been out too long and was old and sour, but it tasted unpleasant. I had a baked potato with baked beans and cheese which was luke-warm to start off; they kindly made me another one, but all the ingredients are microwaved together and the result is an unpleasant, cloggy, greasy mess which I gave up eating half-way through. My two-year-old’s cheese on toast fingers had also been microwaved: they tasted revolting so she didn’t touch them. We tried marmite sandwiches (£2.40 for two pieces of bread), thinking that they surely cannot get this wrong, but they arrived made up without any butter and my daughter struggled to cope with the multigrain bread because of all the grainy bits; sadly there was no straight-forward brown bread or even a white bread alternative. Fortunately they did exchange it for a croissant, but they didn’t refund the difference.

All in all it was a serious disappointment. I had spent £16.40 and neither one of us had had a proper lunch. I was sorely tempted to tell them how gob-smacked I was, but having had to complain about three dishes I was just too embarrassed.

The sad thing is that this could be a fantastic place: all it needs is someone with some basic baby/toddler knowledge – just think of all those customers living on the doorstep.

On a positive note, the coffee was absolutely delicious and the staff were extremely friendly, despite everything (they must have broad shoulders!) There is also a microwave for parents to heat up their own baby food.

I'd go back for a coffee, but wouldn't dream of taking my children, so it’s unlikely that I will.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Crumpet used to be great but is now looking really tired and dirty. It's fantastic if you have kids, except now they could do with spending a bit of money on the place. Orders are delivered in a haphazard manner - when I went recently with a friend there was a twenty minute gap between our lunches arriving which doesn't make for a great lunch date, the place is filthy (really filthy) and it's pretty pricey for what you get.

They could have an absolute gem here if they just cleaned the floor and tables more regularly and invested in some more toys for the kids. As for value for money - it's terrible. I'm quite happy to spend what they charge for a good place to go with the kids but with much more competition opening up on Northcote Road alone I think I'd prefer to spend my hard earned money elsewhere.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, July 11, 2007