Café Rouge

Having walked past Cafe Rouge so many times in the past, and wistfully looked in, we decided to visit there for Saturday lunch (30/03/08). This small restaurant was buzzing and busy but still had a nice laid-back atmosphere. Didn't fancy either of the tables for two where you're sideways on to a pillar, so went upstairs, which was nearly as busy. Like so many other establishments, the tables for two are on the small side, and not as nicely placed as other bigger tables, but we were comfortably seated by a wall and able to watch other diners. Our confidence was boosted when surreptiously watching a young couple patently thoroughly enjoying their steak meal. Not being super hungry (for a change), we opted to share an Assiete Campagnarde, menu description ~ Traditional platter of chicken liver parfait, dry cured meats, Camembert , olives, hoummus and French bread. Starting on a bottle of rose helped kill time whilst waiting for the food, which took a fair while, but hey, it was Saturday, they were busy, and we had no pressing appointments. The surroundings were very pleasant, similar to a French bistro and our smiling waitress brought our food with a flourish and apolgised for the delay. It was a large platter, the french bread was hot, crispy and light (yes I know it was probably take and bake), there were large sumptuous green olives and tiny baby black ones, a small pot of very light hoummus, slices of salami and ham and the parfait. There was also the welcome addition of some baby salad leaves. Everything, especially the parfait was very tasty. Having asked for, and received quickly, some olive oil, I used that for the bread rather than the butter provided, and for the leaves. We left the platter clean barring a few olives, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. They do have a worrying large menu; always think it's preferable to have a limited menu that's done well instead of a large selection that isn't. However, on our limited experience, we would venture back again. Eating there is by no means cheap, unless you share as we did, but we will return at a later date when we are flush.
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Anne Bond
Sunday, March 30, 2008

We held our Christmas Party at the Cafe Rouge last thursday, 20/12/07. The service and the food were excellent given the size of our group (26). Will come back for private meals!
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Emma Marsh
Wednesday, December 26, 2007

I am a french businessman and i stayed in brighton for a conference for three days and i saw this little beautiful corner restaurant with their amazing christmas decoration (simple but traditional french!) that catxh my attention, i had a super meal, the wine that was suggested by my waiter was delightful. I was alone and they made me feel welcome and good. Must go back!
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Jerome Dallard
Saturday, December 22, 2007

Cafe Rouge continues to turn out the Harvester menu in French. Bagette Poulet and pommes frites? Put a few extra wines on the list, add some posters and the Amelie soundtrack album et voila, it's Allo' Allo interactive. Still, if you like your british food topped with a large slice of ham, it's acceptable. The menu is standard pub-grub, the booze is agreeable, service good when we have been there (always in quiet moments) and they are amenable to nibbling visitors whiling away afternoons. Not very cheap for what it (really) is, if you want french food, there's a ferry from Newhaven!
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Lordsoandso - View all reviews by this user
Thursday, December 06, 2007

Cafe rouge has really gone down hill. When the chain first started I had good meals there - but now its just very overpriced food that the French certainly would be horrified to have to eat. It's like a french food theme cafe with the standards of a bad Little Chef restaurant.

The service was good. The food was not. I had prawns in tomato for starters and there were literally 3 prawns under a bit of hot salsa. We ordered two steak frites that were burnt to a cinder and tiny - but cost £13+ each. The menu is really lacking - I have never seen deep-fried camembert or a whole baked camembert as a course in France - its an abuse of the french name.

Cafe rouge - please don't treat us like imbeciles - we do know good french food and we'd like the old cafe rouge quality back asap!
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Suze
Thursday, June 07, 2007

Took my mum here for her birthday lunch and we weren't disappointed. The staff were great, especially as we were an hour early for the lunch menu and they let us order drinks and wait. The food was good too. We've both eaten in other Rouge's and this one matched the high standard we'd experienced in others.
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Jennie
Sunday, May 13, 2007

I have been to Café Rouge in Brighton many times and always had good food and virtually always had excellent service. Don't be put off by the fact that Café Rouge is a chain - most chains would do well to learn from Café Rouge that it IS possible to be a big business AND provide good food and polite, friendly, helpful staff!
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Simon
Monday, April 23, 2007

Had a pretty good steak-frites lunch here, it's not bad for a chain.

A chef friend of mine says they are one of the only chains that do not microwave everything from a packet.

They are trying to pack far too many tables in though, difficult to get in and out of your seat !

Does anyone remember when this was a bar called the Frock and Jacket ?!
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Jamie carr
Thursday, February 08, 2007

Hmm not a bad establishment..chains with bella italia..so must be noted that its frozen food microwaved.
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natalie
Wednesday, January 24, 2007

What is happening at the Cafe' Rouge...something incredible...the food is rubbish, the service as well...

I went here one year ago and everything was ok but what's happened two days ago was in a word...a nightmare!!!

I hope that was just a busy day...otherwise, it's better if they go out of business...
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Robert
Sunday, September 17, 2006