After a local foody had written to us previously in the year detailing how they had had “a pleasant surprise” at the Coffee House we thought it was about time we sent our foody in to check out if it was true and of course to have a breakfast review along the way.
“ I stopped going to the Coffee House a while back, the previous regime was overpriced, had out dated décor and the food wasn’t up to scratch, so after reading the previous review I was hopeful of good things.
Not a second after walking through the door I was already disappointed, the same outdated decor was in view, the walls looked like they were missing pictures as I could still see the hooks where they should be and as I glanced to the hoody-wearing waitresses I wondered what was in store for today’s breakfast.
I decided on taking the window seat as this used to be my favourite part of the restaurant circa 2011, unfortunately the curtains looked like they hadn’t been cleaned since then, as all I could see was dead flies in them.
I waited patiently for a few minutes before I realised I wasn’t going to get given a menu and decided to get one for myself off another table.
As I pondered over the breakfast menu I noticed that there was a difference in price between ordering before and after 11am. Before 11am, for £6.50 you have the choice of a tea or coffee free with your breakfast which is great, but if it was after 11am the price was bumped up to £6.99 and you don't get a drink included. The time was 10:58am when I was ready to order as the time approached 11am I started to panic that I might have to get the pricier option, by 11:05 when I eventually got served my worst fears had been confirmed. Despite my entrance into the restaurant at 10:55am I had missed out on the cheaper option for breakfast due to no fault of my own as the waitress confirmed “sorry you are too late for that option” – never mind let’s hope the food makes up for it.
By 11:20am I heard the doorbell go and I knew this must signal my food was on the way as there was only one other customer in the restaurant.
At first glances the breakfast didn’t look too appealing, the fried eggs looked crispy like the pan hadn’t been cleaned before cooking, my white toast that I had asked for had been changed to brown fried bread and the tomatoes were quite raw and not quite cooked!
However the sausages and bacon were tasty but unfortunately they were not enough to salvage an otherwise dismal breakfast - the only thing that could have made it worse was cold beans...Say no more!
I was bitterly disappointed that it didn’t look like anything had changed from the previous regime and can only hope that something changes in the future as the Coffee House is a wonderful setting and with a few small improvements and a bit of TLC could be turned into a beautiful cafe again. I won't be returning for a breakfast that's for sure..."
Read our previous articles on Thame’s best breakfast below
Week 1 – The Thatch – www.thamehub.co.uk/big-breakfast-week-one-thatch/
Week 2 – Little Chef – www.thamehub.co.uk/big-breakfast-week-two-little-chef/
Week 3 - Treacles Tea Room - www.thamehub.co.uk/big-breakfast-round-3-treacles-tea-room/
