I’ve been a loyal Côte customer for many years. I’ve visited many branches across the country, often weekly, probably around 15–25 times a year. I’ve always loved their food, thought it was excellent value for money, and recommended it to friends and family. I used to buy from their Côte at Home range and would often joke that Côte was like family to me because it had been such a big part of my life for so long.That’s why I’m so disappointed by what’s happened recently. The new menu feels like a real step backwards — it’s lost the variety and flair that made Côte special. There’s a heavy focus on steak and chips, and even pasta dishes, which just don’t feel true to the French brasserie experience that used to set them apart. The food used to feel elegant and distinctive; now it feels generic and predictable.I completely understand that times are tough for restaurants and that Côte is not in the best position financially. It’s obvious that they’ve tried to increase margins by focusing on cheaper, lower-cost dishes, while increasing their prices. But if the big new selling point is “unlimited chips,” that feels like scraping the barrel for a brand that once stood for quality and refinement.What has upset me even more than the food is Côte’s attitude towards their customers. When I and others shared polite feedback about the new menu on their Facebook page, the responses we received were often defensive and slightly patronising. Instead of acknowledging long-time customers’ disappointment, Côte replied in a way that felt dismissive — more concerned with defending their choices than listening.What made it worse was seeing Côte appear to cheer on someone who personally attacked another customer in the comments. It’s one thing to have differing opinions online, but a brand should never take sides or encourage that kind of behaviour. It came across as unprofessional and disrespectful, especially from a business that used to pride itself on warmth and hospitality.After so many years of loyalty, I feel really let down. I used to think of Côte as a restaurant that cared deeply about its customers, but their tone and attitude in this situation have changed my perception completely. Both the menu and the way they treat loyal guests now feel patronising, defensive, and out of touch with what made Côte so loved in the first place.I’m genuinely sad about all this, because my local Côte has such lovely staff — they’ve always been welcoming, attentive, and kind. I’ll really miss them, but I no longer feel comfortable supporting a company that treats its loyal guests this way.
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