We headed here on Sunday as, since it's opening, we'd wanted to check out the new incarnation.
I was a fan of the old Forest Cafe for free gigs and somewhere to bring cans from Tesco (I'm mad classy, I may have mentioned this before...) My first year here, I popped in and out but never really became a 'local'.
I have no intention of becoming a 'local' to this incarnation... first off because I think I've outgrown it but also....
It's cold! Oh so cold! Granted, I was near the door, but brrrr! Concrete, linoleum (I think) and giant windows do not suit Edinburgh. Speaking of linoleum, the floors were dirty which I could deal with if it didn't look like weeks worth of dust. The staff were friendly but, and I'm going to sound awful here, the service was bad. we ordered a tea and a coffee and were told it would be brought over to us. The drinks arrived, no milk or sugar in sight so we go back up, with our drinks, to get the essentials. There weren't too many in when we went so I couldn't really get a feel for what it would be like on a Friday night.
If this was anywhere but the Forest Cafe it would be one star. No question....but....I like the idea. I like the 65p to come drink your own cider in a place that isn't your living room. I like the local drama workshops. I like the free space for artistic expression. I think it's necessary to have a place like this. Also, I think they've learned a few lessons from the last place and the running of things has slightly improved. Based on those points I think Forest Cafe deserves a bit of leeway...
I want this place to work! I really do, but I think the volunteers maybe need to step up their game a bit and have more pride in what their doing....just the opinion of a rambling mad-woman though.... read more