Perhaps it was a mistake visiting at half term as the cafe was busy with families.
The cafe is in the Basement of “The Collection”:http://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/review/attraction/152655-review-the-collection-museum and is a fairly small area with chairs and tables and some more comfortable chairs. There is outside seating but on a dull and misty day at the end of October, no one was tempted to sit outside.
It is counter service and although there were plenty of staff behind the counter, one seemed to be serving. Even though it was only the 27th October, staff were wearing Halloween make-up which I found a turn off. I don’t particularly want to be served by someone with fangs and blood… Staff were also slow to clear tables which received a very cursory wipe over.
A young man eventually appeared at the till and took my order – a bacon sandwich and a slice of Betty’s cake. There were jugs of water with glasses to help yourself to. They don’t seem to provide trays but I was helped to my table.
The bacon sandwich was two slices of rather ‘piggy’ back bacon in two slices of pre sliced bread which was a bit dry. I should have asked for sauce with it. At £2.95 I felt it was expensive and not very good. The slice of Betty cake did redeem the meal a bit. It was a generous size slice with plenty of fruit and slightly soggy I enjoyed it. For £1.85, I felt this represented good value.
The cafe specialises in savoury and sweet crepes, cooked to order. They also do a soup of the day, paninis and a rather uninspiring choice of sandwiches. The scones looked good but there was a rather restricted range of cakes with carrot cake, chocolate brownies, cup cakes, almond slice, biscuits and flapjacks. The selection of salads put out for lunch did look appetising, served with quiche, sausage roll etc. There is also a children’s menu.
The cafe is linked to Stoke’s High Bridge Street cafe. The Stokes family have been selling freshly ground coffee and a selection of fine teas for generations. The range of coffees and teas served here reflects this.
Stokes always had a good reputation but in more recent years has been resting on its laurels. I was not over impressed by this place and prices do tend to be on the pricey side for what is provided. I won’t be returning.
“Website”:https://www.thecollectionmuseum.com/
