Thank you to the French Revolution that inspired Victor Hugo to write Les Mis that inspired the name of this Deli. The sandwiches look as if they've been taken straight from a Pinterest board and the coffee prices aren't bad either. Situated opposite the meadows, you can live out your Parisian dream of pergolas, outdoor seating, and a good view without having to actually visit France. I love it here. read more

Victor Hugo - Indoor seating with bookshelf and sofa - Delis Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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The perfect light lunch on the water. I ordered the sandwich cold and they handed it to me immediately, no waiting at all! Was really nice to sit on the patio and enjoy a rare sunny day read more

Victor Hugo - Prosciutto Parma sandwich - Delis Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Nice from the outside, inside is needed for a face lift, sometimes it is cool with old style of interior bur this place is not cool in that way, red floor for example. Food was ok we had breakfast Staff was nice read more

We were really craving sandwiches for lunch, so I did a quick search on delis close to us and found this gem! It is a very cute looking shop, and everything behind the deli glass looks delicious. There is enough seating inside and outside, and even though it was raining outside, we sat out there anyway (underneath an awning with a heater lamp). The BF and I had pastrami sandwiches and shared a raspberry lemon cake for dessert. Both items were freshly made and hit the spot! Great little cafe that I would definitely go back to if I ever visit Scotland again. read more

Victor Hugo - Pastrami sandwich - Delis Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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Another branch of Victor Hugo, this time in sunny Portobello. Went here for a coffee and ended up spending a good couple of hours here. You order at the counter (and then pay) as its not table service. Coffee was good. Usual selection of deli items and cakes and they even had gluten free brownies which were lovely and moist but not too heavy. Decent brunch menu and seating outside and inside. Nice addition to Portobello and would return as its a great place for a catch up without feeling rushed. read more

Victor Hugo - Victor Hugo Portobello - Delis Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

It's a deli, brilliant, nearly an instant high scoring for offering exciting and exotic foods arranged in an attractive manner, although obviously if the food tasted horrendous despite looking amazing then that would be a different matter, but anyway. This establishment also has a really catchy name, or maybe it's the dramatic Les Miserables connection. Victor Hugo isn't really anywhere near my 'hood, which is unfortunate, as it means I don't frequent this deli as much as I would. The first time I came in here I was on the way to a friend's house in Marchmont, and Victor Hugo appeared as my red painted solution to the fact I hadn't bought anything to bring over to my friend's flat for dinner. One tub of plump mixed olives, a good bottle of white wine, and some organic, crazy flavoured chocolate later, I was all set to shower my friend with culinary joys. Everything you would expect from a deli is here, and there's a fairly extensive range of goods on display on the full to the brim shelves. Victor Hugo has a very traditional look and feel, with its stacked wooden shelves and wooden counter, which I always feel is quite comforting. A lot of the brands and produce here are quite unique, or at least I hadn't ever seen a lot of the products before, and there seems to be a lot of smaller, local producers on sale, which is always good chat. Victor Hugo hosts quite a few tasting events, so I'd get in there for a enthusiastic nibbling if I were you. read more

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This bistro offers a great selection of breads and sandwich fillings for those (occasional) sunny days on the meadows for sandwiches. It also has very good hot meals (the bacon roll rocks!) and the coffee is very good. There are some indoor and outdoor tables to sit at and it's located in a quiet corner close to the Meadows. Being a bistro you can buy a selection of jams, trickles, organic spreads, olive oil, cheeses and smoked meats as well as some organic veggies. The girls who have served me on the various occasions I have been here have varied in service, a couple being a bit ditsy with our order and getting it completely confused, whilst others being just fine. Prices are standard for an Edinburgh Bistro, meaning the quality is great but the prices are a bit high. There sweet selection was a bit disappointing compared to other bistros though, but I like the red building it's in and the layout of the shop! A lovely place to head for a snack/coffee after a lazy afternoon in the Meadows! read more

Victor Hugo - Delis Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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Victor Hugo is a great little Continental Deli on the edge of the Meadows in Edinburgh. It is in an ideal location to catch all the University students on their walk to and from classes and is a great place to go to in the summer as it is just across from the Meadows. Victor Hugo has an excellent selection of freshly made bread and serves sandwiches and cakes make fresh every day. They have a counter full of all different types of meats and cheeses which are very tempting. My absolute favourite is their chocolate brownie which is very more-ish and I frequently pop in for breakfast in the mornings and have the fresh fruit salad. Everything is organic and freshly made, and although everything tastes delicious, it is a wee bit pricey. Victor Hugo now sell hampers so you can choose which foods you want in it and they will make it up and deliver it to you. There is seating inside the shop, and it also has tables and chairs outside so it is a lovely place to sit and watch all the action from the Meadows on a warm day. read more

Victor Hugo - Delis Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Victor Hugo is in an excellent location for catching a great sandwich as you walk along Melville Terrace. The first time I came in here I wasn't too impressed as it was nearing closing time and it just looked under-stocked and expensive. Since then, however, I've been back several times and discovered that it actually has plenty to offer. The service is friendly, inviting and knowledgeable about the produce they sell. They have a decent range of organci, healthy cereals as well as the usual olives, cured meats, wines and a vast selection of cheeses. Further, they have freshly baked bread on a daily basis which makes for delicious sandwiches. My personal favourite it is their salty, smoked ham with strong cheddar and tomatoes. Their prices aren't exactly cheap, but they make up for this with the quality of their produce. read more

Victor Hugo - Delis Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Happened to stop by here searching for macarons. We were pleased! Friendly and helpful staff, clean place and clean restroom. Food was really good. Cappuccino was really good as well. They have specialty sandwiches and can custom make you a sandwich if you wish. Highly recommend! read more

I really like this place but the slow service knocks of a star for me. Popped in for a post-run brunch & although it was busy I counted 5 staff. I'm not sure if some were fairly new but no-one seemed to be in overall charge & it was fairly chaotic. The service was really slow - we waited 10 mins to get a pot of tea, the couple next to us hadn't even received their drinks by the time they'd finished their food & our food - bacon baguettes -were cold when they arrived & the bacon was sparse. It used to be so much better. read more

I would so like Victor Hugo's to be better! It has all the ingredients but comes up short time and again. Brilliant location and essentially a good business model let down again and again by poor execution. Often freezing cold too as the door is left propped open in midwinter! The use of boards as trays or plate substitutes seems like a good idea (they look nice) until they plonk them down and spill your coffee (they don't work! -have you not noticed!!) This is after waiting 10/15 mins for said spilled coffee to arrive. (In the freezing cold wind tunnel!) Oh dear! Please sort it out. read more

I have been coming here for years and was a little saddened when the previous owner sold up and moved on. However the place was spruced up and new deli items were offered a few years back. For one reason or another it was quite some time till I managed to get back. I have visited several times for coffees over the years and pop in ever few weeks/months for a pizza slice as this is the only place I can find that sells these inside out school pi\zza slices (base/cheese/sauce). I gave up on the other deli offerings some time ago, due to various bad cheese experiences etc. Each time I have the same issue. The staff really don't seem to have a clue about the products they sell or how the work flow behind the counter needs to work. it took 20 minutes for the couple in front of me to be served and for me to pay for a pizza slice and a quiche. This also somehow tied up all 3 staff for each transaction...mmm. Every time I am in there seems to be new staff, previously it was the same staff for years and years. I think this may be where some of the problems lie. Okay for a coffee if you not in a rush, but many of the food items are expensive and seem a little past their best on occasion. Staff really don't seem to know about the products or the service they are delivering. The good points - Pizza slice - Potatoe Salad - Quiche / Spanish Tortilla - Sit outside over looking the meadows - The coffee - Nice clean, well laid out shop The Bad Points - The service, it is slllloooowwww - The staff don't seem to understand what they are selling and how the till works. - My missus is veggie and ended up with a quiche Loraine rather than the tomato/pesto one on the signage. Veggies and bacon don't mix well. ;D read more

This place is quite delicious. Been here many of times for every meal of the day. Pros: Sundays they have great brunch food and if the weather is good we like to sit outside and stare into The Meadows. Fridays are super because they have Supper Club every Friday with a rotating prix fixe menu at a fairly affordable price with 3 courses including a amazingly tasty cheese board (mmm do I love me some cheese!) During the week I've come here for lunch mostly. The food is tasty and they always have vegetarian options. They have great sandwiches and quiche too. Cons: They tend to take a while to get their food out. I am usually not in a hurry when I go here but when you order to sit in, it takes twice as long as take out it feels like. Which really, that would be fine, but the setting isn't that comfortable inside because most of the time the main tables are taken up. I wish they had a big comfy chair in there and then maybe that would make it better but they truthfully have no where to put one. Otherwise this place is really great and I love stopping in when I'm passing by. My favourite would have to be the Friday Supper Club and, if you're not in a hurry, head here for some good coffee, cheese, olive oils, and hot foods. read more

I've had the pleasure of tasting Victor Hugo's many delights. Some nicer than others, other just a disappointment. My first recent experience (in the past month) was trying there smoothie. Meh, small serving, with okay flavours, but one could tell it was made from real fruits, which was the saving feature. I next tried the deli, ordering olives, artichokes, and bread. The bread was freshly made an hour before hand, but taste wise was lacking. The olives were amazing. Rosemary and garlic! The artichokes were a let down, for a large size, grilled to bring out flavour...there really wasn't much to them! I hate saying things like this but adding a little spice, or even salt would make them much better. I've ordered two hot chocolates in the past month, and both times they've been a let down. The second time was absolutely bad in that they hadn't stirred in the chocolate, which resulted in warm milk until i got to the bottom where I had to scrape the chocolate with a spoon. (tasted like Cadbury's which is another let down) I'd ordered a breakfast roll, which was delicious, but took a very long time to arrive, and wasn't really worth the price they were charging. read more

As i've just moved very close to Victor Hugo and i've heard very good things about it i've been dying to try it out. I walk past it everyday and my mouth waters at the sight of all the cheese in the deli counter. So today i finally went in. We sat in and i had a tea and my friend had a sandwich and water. I do like that they have bottles of tap water and glasses in the chiller cabinet so you can just help yourself, it's a nice touch. My tea was nice and everything was nicely presented on wooden boards. The staff seem friendly and i want so badly to love this place but i was a little disappointed. The door is kept open so it is really cold when sitting in, and the seating is a little odd. We had to sit at the end of a long table and then some people with lots of children came in and so sat at the same table. This made it a little difficult to have a chat with my friend. I do love the thought of this place so no doubt i will be back again soon so i will review again :) I do look forward to it on the summer as it has lots of outdoor seating and it's in a lovely location! read more

Have had a lovely time chatting with a friend today. Sadly no plugs to charge phone or free wifi. Spacious and gentile. Had lovely prawns on baked potatoe with salad. It was perfect. My friend loved his coffee. read more

Ive had a love/hate relationship with this place for a few years now but I think it's starting to grow on me.. It's in a great position to pick up lots of passing trade from the wide and varied residents and users of the meadows.. As a deli it's fantastic with lots of fabulous cold meats and cheeses to choose from and a wide range of accompaniments from olives to grilled vegetables it can be easy to get carried away - although you have to be careful as it's definately not cheap but great for the occasional treat! They also stock a range of cakes although unfortuneately for me they are still very slim on the gluten free choices although the introduction of a gf chocolate brownie is a step in the right direction! If breakfast if your thing then I'd recommend a good old bacon sandwich (my pre gf days!) with your choice of fresh crusty roll and home made sauces or chutney is well worth the visit! All in all a good place for a catch up over coffee (Not a coffee drinker myself but am reliably informed it's very good!) and a spot of people watching in the meadows, better in the summer (well if the sun shines!) as the outside seating makes for a more enjoyable experience! Oh and if you like this place then why not try their new place down in Portobello which is opening soon.... read more

Had a great breakfast sandwich! Eggs cheese and BACON! One of the best tasting bacon on a sandwich I have ever had. Plus they had tons of other things to satisfy my sweet tooth. read more

This place has a sweet deal. Not only is it one of the best deli's/bakers/cafe's ever - when the sun comes out it gets a load of business from the students who take over the meadows just over the road. Seriously, this place is wonderful- the deli counter is full of things tht you just have to try, meats, cheeses, spreads - its all amazing looking. The little shop also does odd little bit and bobs too - so you can stack up on your gormet tea and fruit preserve. The cafe is what I come for really though. Grab a seat outside in the sun, order a drink and a breakfast rool. The bacon is award winning, and you can tell - its amazing, and always well cooked. You also get a choice of breads from the wide selection of freshly baked breads/baguettes/rolls which makes it all the more tasty. A really great place, whether you eat in the cafe, or take it home from the deli. read more

Victor Hugo - From business website. - Delis Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

The Victor Hugo Deli is the perfect pit stop if you've spent the day in The Meadows and are looking for somewhere to freshen up and grab a bit to eat. It's a beautiful deli with friendly staff, a great selection of savoury and sweet snacks and as well as sitting in you can also get food to go. The sandwich fillings seem endless, each one looking more delicious than the last and I was torn with what to go for. I ended up going for a chicken salad roll and it was to die for, exactly what I needed after a busy afternoon. My favourite thing about Victor Hugo Deli is the fact that many of the seats are in little booths right beside the window which means you can look out over The Meadows whilst sipping on tea. read more

This cafe always catches my eyes when I'm on my way home to Marchmont from Newington. Possibly because it's painted a delicious red colour, possibly because it has loads of gourmet deli goods. My heart flutters mainly at the prospect of their cheese. I'm certain in another life I was probably a cheesemonger. Scratch that, I was definitely a cheesemonger. Just like any gourmet deli, it has overpriced sandwiches made with beautiful bread and beautiful fillings. They also make pretty decent coffee at not too outrageous a price. There's seating inside and outside (when the weather allows) and it's pretty much the only cafe in the area. read more

I've had a similar experience to Jenny's. Although I very much liked the look and sound of this place, the actual experience was a bit disappointing. I was here with a friend and we opted to sit outside, which means they bring your drinks out. Great, you think. Less hassle for us and more time to have a chat. Not quite. The mocha that my friend ordered was stone-cold, so cold in fact, that it made him a wee bit grumpy. (which I can imagine as it was chilly out). It was also covered in what I think was cocoa powder, normal for mochas but not when the cocoa covered lake is sloshing all over the rim of the cup (drips everywhere, the cup was swimming in a puddle on the saucer making it impossible to take a sip without dripping all over yourself.) Maybe it's not such a big deal that a deli doesn't serve a proper in-house mocha, but it just ... was such a disappointment to have a simple hot drink turned into a cold disaster. This probably is a very good deli however, the sit-in experience was aggravating to say the least. The annoying thing is that this place has real potential, it just seems like they don't really car as far as in-house service goes. Shame! read more

Okay, I used to work here long ago, I admit. I quit because they weren't able to give me the type of hours I needed, blah blah, long story. The point is that I no longer work for them, and I'm pouting, because this is a fantastic little deli. Previously, I was a fan of that other delicatessen/gourmet eatery, the chainyou know the one I mean. And then I discovered VH. First of all, the location is hard to beat. Perched on the south side of the Meadows, VH is a perfect spot to sit outside and people watch while sipping coffee (goooood coffee, specifically) or to grab a deli sandwich for takeaway, or to sit inside and sample whatever loveliness sprang forth from Joanna's kitchen that day (Joanna is young for a chef (somewhere in her early 30's?) but the refinement of her tastebuds belies her age) On a tangent, I get a bit miffed at the many eateries in Edinburgh that claim to be delicatessens, yet they offer only turkey and ham as cut meats to choose from, and the same ol' boring tuna-mayo fillings. When I hear 'deli,' I want to enter a shop with an array of hung and dried carcasses from several different species, cut and cured in a hundred different ways. The owner should wear an apron, and be able to tell you every detail about the deli product and where it hails from So let's get one thing straight: VH is a proper delicatessen, not a sandwich shop. Okay, moving on. Upon visiting VH, the bustly owner will encourage you to taste absolutely anything in the shop that catches your eye, either the many varieties of olives or cheeses or meats, anything. They usually have tasting tables set up to encourage the more mousy to try a nibble. And you will find something new that makes you think, Hmm, so THIS is what a deli is supposed to be. Prices are reasonable, especially considering the high quality of product on offer. Try the chorizo rocket muffins, if there are any left. And the mini-quiches. Ooh! And the moussakaand the browniesand.and read more

Well there doesn't seem to be much to add to the previous review of this place - how unfair that you used to work there though! i bet everyone who ever goes in feels jealous of all the freebies and knowledge you must get if ever you were on the other side of that big glass counter filled with ever-changing yumminess. Unfortunately for the student-likes of me, we can rarely afford more than the occasional dark chocolate dipped stem ginger cookie as an essay-writing treat... Or some finest Colombian fair trade coffee (freshly ground, of course), which i always have a packet of in the fridge. hmm... I've been trying to think of some other 'Q's to go with the obvious one to describe this place. how about: Quintessential Quality at Quasi-affordable prices..? read more

My 2 best discoveries of 2009... Great shoe shop in Glasgow & Victor Hugo in Edinburgh!! Victor Hugo is fast becoming my favourite place to catch up with friends - great location with on street parking rather than the hustle & bustle of trying to get into town, therefore making it a far more relaxing experience from the onset! The friendly staff take a genuine interest in the customers & to top it all the Deli counter is to die for with a vast selection of top quality products guaranteed to get the taste buds going!! I could happily sit & drink their coffee all day..... PURE BLISS!! Looks like I need to return ASAP to try a bacon roll... read more

so I did succumb to my roll...and was greeted with an atmosphere that could be cut with a knife. I had forgotten just how objectionable the woman owner is. She talks in a terrible manner to her staff in front of customers, ok it was just 2 of us in at the time but it was still embarrassing. She actually called"service" when all her staff were busy and a guy had just arrived at the till. Had she also been busy then that would be ok, but she did not seem to be occupied and just walked straight outside to have a smoke. In my opinion she should have seen to him. I also don't think it professional that she smokes outside the shop, it is a food store for goodness sake! At the cafe in the museum I worked in, people smoked in the garage. I guess it its one star for the roll and one star in pity of the poor girls who work there...awkward! read more

A nice little deli in a great spot. All the typical deli 'stuff' and nice coffee and cakes. Would be a great spot on a summers day with the seating outside. I've been a few times recently while visiting the Sick Kids hospital nearby and I'm quite amused at how staff seem a little disorganised when even just a handful of people in. Otherwise a nice little drop in for a snack or treat. read more

I really like Victor Hugo, and I go there regularly for cheese croissant or some eggs. I do agree with the other reviewers however: the service can be a bit of a mixed bag, which as annoying as they certainly charge top dollar! read more

Never disappoints! Great Union coffee and delightful pastries, and their deli cheeses and numerous ham, salami, etc are high quality and delicious! read more

I think like most other yelpers I am a little bit indecisive about Victor Hugo's. From the exterior, it is everything I want a cafe to be: a position in a bright red corner of Marchmont, continental tables outside the café, the meadows as the its front garden. This image promised a French love of food and picnics in the park. There is a cheese counter inside, the cheeses do seem way too overpriced. The fridge has some interesting options like stromboli, yet these also seem a bit steep. There's a gluten free cupcake! I'll take it! I took it home, and the frosting was just overpoweringly sweet and crumbly, the sponge was dry. Some of the other cakes looked good, yet the scones were not the best in town. I had some kind of vegetable soup here once, it was that forgettable that I can't remember which vegetables it had in it. It was just a thing to fill the void. I have tried the bread in the past, and it was good when bought fresh, though I am not sure whether they make it on the premises or buy it in bulk from au gourmand (not so much of a bad thing, the lovely people at au gourmand bake very well). So... hit and miss, a little overpriced, somewhat pretentious. Nothing to call home about. I have never heard anyone rave about the coffee here either. read more

Popped into Victor Hugo for lunch bites, and to order soup. Staff not sure if there is any left, goes to check. Is it still lunchtime I thinks. Quick time check shows it's around 1pm, and wah-hay soup is available; Broccoli & Stilton. Quick service and soup looking good, but thats where it ended. I was presented with a v.cool bowl of soup, chef had not told staff it was cold. Surely that's the first thing to do? I asked for it to be quickly blasted with some kind of heat, that done it was fine, no worries!? Not salty either (another gripe of mine), but it was tasty. Staff helped with wobbly table and straightened it with technical cardboard, so I was happy with that as needed to work. But again something upset the apple cart? BT was only connection for wifi shown here. I kind of thought they used to have a varied connection here? With the chocolate moose cake arrival, which I must say was delightful looking and so easy to eat whipped up so soft and light (more pls), coupled with soy cappuccino was great. I quizzed staff on what happened to wifi and if VHugo still had its own dedicated wifi. No idea was the reply and would check, but guess what - never came back to me. So minuses for no wifi, another for staff not getting back to me, plus another for resurrection of cold soup, after making a fuss. I don't like to critique much but when it wasn't really busy, what can you do - discreet suggestion box? VH I know you can do better; lots of people agree with this. 4 stars for tasty food, but nothing else. Overall a pleasant place to have food, as it's quieter, has an appealling Italian feel to it with shelves stock full of deli products. Look forward to another visit when I don't need the Internet...may be for late supper as it's BYOB. read more

The coffee here is really good, alot of love goes into each and every one. I had a roll with prociutto, goats cheese and a really good chilli jam that they sell in store. They also have a great range of deli foods and samples of very nice olive oils and balsamics. read more

Pretty much had lunch here on a daily basis once upon a time. The "Basque" is still my favourite baguette. It is gourmet heaven made of sun-dried tomatoes, prosciutto and chilli jam. They also have great coffee. I'm not a big fan of caramel shortcake but theirs I would happily eat on a daily basis. read more

It's bright red and it's just across the meadows from town. It's an old deli that has changed hands frequently throughout its history. Other than its cheery and welcoming red exterior, there are some nice tables and chairs outside, and on a nice day this is the place to be. The usual deli fare is on offer, along with a good range of interesting wines, oils, breads and coffee. On summer weekends a BBQ is often set up out the front of the shop, and this brings in the punters off the meadows, as does the wine tasting, juice tasting, oil tasting, etc. Victor Hugo is staffed by a constantly changing group of young girls, and a new face is guaranteed at virtually every visit. I'm not sure why read more

One of my favorite places in Edinburgh. Great for a weekend brunch. The sandwiches and coffee are some of the best you will find. With a fantastic selection of meats and cheeses you could spend a lot of money and be very happy in there. The service is always excellent even when it is busy. My one ane only dissapointment was with a friend who ordered a croissant...it was pretty poor in comparison to everything else on offer. read more

A great little deli, not very big but full of concentrated goodness. Great bacon rolls with tasty not-HP-brown sauce and consistently good cappucinos made to the expected proportions (as in not the 10% coffee 90% milk you get in a chain). Big selection of fillings for rolls etc, hot food is good as well. Has a proper selection of meats and cheeses etc. Staff are always very nice and occasionally fit :P Only downside (for me, but not for their cash register) is the place is usually rammed full of X5 driving school run mummies who take up all the room for no reason. Fairly pricey but generally worth it. read more

I've seen a number of bad reviews for this place recently (Trip Adviser, Facebook etc.) and from my own experience it does seem to be going downhill... This may have something to do with the business currently being advertised for sale on Daltons, though you'd think that if they expect to the get the £250,000 asking price they'd be doing everything they could to encourage positive reviews..! They did open a shop in Portobello a while back but it closed within a year and there's still an outstanding court order against that shop for over £13,000 for unpaid rent and other bills. I'll be staying clear...! read more

Whew been awhile since I wrote a review so here goes. Stopped in this place just to see what was up as I was headed someplace else but this place caught my eye. On walking in I saw it was a little deli type coffee shop I guess to put it appropriately. I was over come with joy at finding my first little italian type deli where I could get cured meats, fresh bread, yummy olives and other goodies. I snooped around as any good wannabe food connoisseur would. The products all looked pretty fresh and quite yummy. But what I was turned off from was the prices and unfortunately the customer service. I didnt feel very welcome or the staff was not to friendly like they are in most italian delis and such. I am sure the food is good and all as I only bought some olive bread which I will tell you was amazing and I will be headed back just for that alone. But I was not completely impressed so I will have to come back in again for some deli food and see how the service is again. Because if it is better I will give another star and update my review of this place. read more

Great location, great selection of drinks and food, if a little pricey, and nice to sit in - if a little crowded, no where else like it round there - this place is probably a little goldmine for the owners- whoever they are, because you never seem to see anyone in here who is in charge. The staff are badly organised and the service is slow and I don't think I've ever seen the same face twice when we go in. read more