Vinoteca bread
I rencently read an interview with Michael Caine, he said that the key to having a successful restaurant is to provide good bread, and good coffee. His logic was that the bread is a diner’s first impression and coffee the last. I think there is definitely some truth to what he is saying.
I’ve been thinking back through my many restaurant meals…it’s quite amazing the range of bread experiences I’ve had, some of them were even traumatic enough to result in my own personal boycott . I once visited a very famous gastro pub here in London, where our server topped up our empty bread basket by carrying a handful of bread across the restaurant to our table, this just after I saw him popping olives (from the bowl destined for customers I might add) into his mouth, and fishing the stones out with the very same fingers that delivered our bread. On the other hand there are places like St.John where you look forward to the promise of their delicious sourdough bread, and posh butter you can enjoy while reading through the menu. And funnily enough, you wouldn’t believe how many Vinoteca customers have expressed to me that they “love the bread”.
As for coffee again, I think Michael is right, there is nothing worse than a bad coffee to finish off a meal. I usually avoid coffees for this very reason, if only all coffee could be as perfectly crafted as the ones I am lucky enough do drink each day from Dose Espresso.
Thanks to @zoedisco for the picture this is me enjoying a 'good' coffee at the bull & last, along with a delicious mini-brownie.
I was however recently impressed by a restaurant coffee, which I enjoyed after an ENORMOUS and delicious sunday lunch at the Bull & Last, it was a perfect end to the meal. It was a tasty coffee, but for me it was the service, the food, the wine, the atmosphere, and the affordability of the meal that left me impressed. Michael Caine makes an interesting point, but I don’t think that either the bread or the coffee alone can win me over.
Any thoughts?
Caitlin
3 Comments
September 21, 2009 at 8:33 am
I think good bread is important at a good restaurant, but good bread alone isn’t enough – a lesson the team at Lutyens might want to learn. Their bread is delicious, my two recent meals there were some of the most disappointing I’ve had this year.
As for coffee, it is increasingly important and with such a vibrant coffee culture in the UK now, there’s no excuse for nasty, bitter stuff at the end of a meal.
September 21, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Thanks for your comment, sorry to hear about your good bread, but bad food experience. I totally agree, it really is way more than the bread or coffee that makes for a good restaurant experience.
Which restaurants have you found that are serving exceptional coffee? Any favourite brand of beans?
Caitlin
September 22, 2009 at 9:17 pm
LOVE the photo Caitlin!
I agree with your post, good bread and good coffee (while wonderful) do not make the meal.
However, it kind of reminded me of my experience at a restaurant I visited in Montreal called Gibby’s. A 200 year old steak house and rumored to be the best place to eat in Montreal.
The entire meal, from the environment to the service to the actual food was impeccable. But you know what the first thing I say about the place is?
How, when we sat down, they brought us a bowl of succulent pickles, crumbled up bacon and tasty bread.
Had the rest of the night sucked, I wouldn’t have mentioned anything good. But considering the whole package, I talked about my first impression of the place.
z
p.s. Now I am sooo hungry.