A Chain with a Difference

Large restaurant chains are often a hit or miss. Commercial crap or a restaurant which feels like an exclusive. And that is exactly the note which Côte has struck. Opening only a couple of weeks ago in Bath, this fine brasserie has already proved a hit with the locals – and particularly myself.

With French cuisine in abundance, Côte is a perfect little hideaway – on a summer evening on their terrace or inside their beautifully decorated restaurant when there is a chill in the air. The steaks have proved an awesome hit with my friends who described the filet as ‘to-die-for’ after another friend asked whether it was worth a visit. For the vegetarians amongst us, the choices are limited – yet delectable. The risotto vert includes all the finest summer vegetables, with an addition of watercress and rocket to top the creamy plate off perfectly. The wine list is strong and our waitress was very knowledgeable in recommending a brilliant red for the evening.

Perhaps most impressive is the dessert list – with their special crème caramel and a rich, yet fabulous iced berries with white chocolate sauce. Côte’s can be found all over England, yet doesn’t feel like a huge chain which has aged over the years. Instead, you are treated like their first guest on every visit.