On this blog I'm often looking at the new kids on the block, today is a bit of a change as this place has been going for 70 years. With those 70 years behind them they hardly need an endorsement from me but for what it's worth here's my humble opinion on the venue, coffee and service.
The venue 5:
It's all about location, location, location and this place takes some beating. Set in the gardens of Brighton's Royal Pavilion, the clue's in the name, and looking out across manicured greenery towards the pavilion itself it has one of the most pleasant views in the city. It's an open air venue and nestles at the back of the gardens under the shade of some large oak and beach trees, the dappled sunshine this afternoon made the whole place look as if it were bathed in gold. The tables are all rusty legged and wobbly and the chairs are plastic and of the type most commonly to be found on you've been framed. There are pigeons and squirrels galore scampering around the tables looking for crumbs, of which there are plenty. The clientele are generally of the older kind with a significant scattering of tourists, students and office types, the gardens just in front of the cafe are a hit with Brighton's bright young things.
The coffee: 3
Pleasantly surprised, my coffee being made by a young lady who I'm sure was not old enough to have ever tasted coffee. It was nevertheless nicely put together in a white coffee bowl, chocolate was added without being requested and white granulated sugar was available in sachets upon request. The bean was fairly nondescript, I was told that they buy whatever is available, and it shows. There was a strong caffeine hit and a slightly over roasted and somewhat bitter taste which I attribute to the inexperience of the barista. Having said that, there was a mild smokey aftertaste lurking in there that made me smile.
The service: 2
This place is a cafe, it's busy and it's staffed mostly by teenagers on school holidays and this shapes the service. There's a counter service that's efficient and to be fair sufficient. But the staff are mostly too busy and too young to be able to offer anything more. For a venue that's not much more than a kiosk they somehow manage to produce a decent range of nibbles, tray bakes and salads all of which are every bit as twee as they sound.
I enjoyed this place and left feeling more relaxed than when I arrived, it's not perfect, the coffee is just ok and the service is not great but it is in a great place and has charm and tweeness in abundance and is well worth a look.
Overall score: 10 out of 15
Hello Rob:
ReplyDeleteIt is rather a pity that the Pavilion Gardens Café is not rather more stylish for the kiosk itself, and its highly favourable position, give it the potential to be so much better than in fact it is. The furniture, as you point out, is dreadful and the fact that it is staffed largely by school children does not in any way help.
In Britain today waiting staff seem almost entirely to be made up of young [no problem], untrained [big problem] people as opposed to mainland Europe where similar work is regarded as a highly professional occupation.
Hi Jane and Lance
ReplyDeleteI agree, the PGC needs to try harder, the location demands it. I think the British in general have a pretty poor approach to customer service and I think this is perpetuated by a number of things including lack of investment in training, lack of decent wages, an inability to complain and as you rightly point out the fact that customer service jobs are not seen as proper jobs and therefore service standards can't be expected to be anything other than woeful. It's a dreadful inditement on our entire society that we can't, in most cases offer up anything other than sullen, lacklustre, rude and sloppy service. Let's start a campaign!!!!
I don't have much experience with just outlets. But loved reading the good and bad of the place you visited. :-)
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your comments on my blog. You always add something interesting to my thoughts. Thank you.
This is great!
ReplyDeleteCome At Me Bro
ReplyDeleteWelcome and thanks for that ringing endorsement. This blogger has a great take on all things tech and well worth checking out.
Zeba;
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking out my "other blog" I am a bit of a coffee nut and love checking out new places in my city.
You can bet I'll be checking in on your marvellous blog, always something to think about there.