On 7 Jul 2014 at 7:42pm T. Cake wrote:
I have been lunching here since it first opened through various owners. Great location for a casual lunch. Always reliable for excellent coffee and well filled rolls. When I visited last Saturday, I discovered new owners. Oh dear. I was presented with a silly cup instead of a large mug for my latte but the coffee was ok. Had a panini and the old money making trick of filling only the sides on show was there for all to behold. As soon as I bit into this, I was greeted by an expanse of empty panini. It wasn't hot enough to melt the brie either! My husband was tempted by the Croque Monsieur. Poor Monsieur, he'd be fed up to have this sorry item named after him. Poor bread, poor filling and again not hot enough. I am very sad to see this long standing establishment looking like a replica of the not so lovely chain bakers you find from time to time. I can only hope that the new owners will soon return to the previous quality.
On 7 Jul 2014 at 8:16pm S Nacks wrote:
So vote with your feet and go somewhere else. Plenty of other places in Lewes for a coffee and sandwich !
On 8 Jul 2014 at 9:08am Sussex Jim wrote:
I would have returned the panini and pointed out their mistake, and asked for the correct filling. And explain that there never any problems previously. If you are not going to return you have nothing to lose.
On 8 Jul 2014 at 11:21am Annette Curtin-Twitcher wrote:
That's a shame. I used to go in there from time to time for a brie and bacon baguette, and they were lovely.
I agree about complaining. If people don't complain, management will not know what they're doing wrong, so won't be able to improve things.
At a nearby pub a while ago, when asked how our meal was, we said we were a bit disappointed and the management were profusely apologetic, noted exactly what we weren't happy with (gritty kale, cold mash and a lot of the mussels were empty shells!) and halved our bill. It was very busy for early evening and there were kids everywhere, and we've sort of decided to go back at a less busy time and see if they can do better. If we hadn't complained, we'd just never have gone back again.
On 8 Jul 2014 at 5:04pm bastian wrote:
Is something going on at the riverside becasue the young butcher from there has had to close this week. A great shame, he is the thrid butcher to struggle in there,must be the rent (supermarkets don't help, Lewes used to have 4 greengrocers only 15 years ago).
He also said that Richardsons at the top is going to. He was a good lad and will do well somewhere else, just seems a waste of his training and vim.
On 8 Jul 2014 at 5:35pm Annette Curtin-Twitcher wrote:
I so hope he's wrong about Richards. It's a wonderful butcher, the staff are really nice and helpful, their meat is excellent, they do a small but good range of fruit and veg, and anyone who's never tried their Castle sausages should get some before it's too late!
On 8 Jul 2014 at 7:19pm Butchers block wrote:
Training and VIM ? do they clean the block with that powder .Sawdust on the floor ,fresh I say fresh every day.
On 9 Jul 2014 at 7:12am Earl of Lewes wrote:
Yes, do complain. If they have any sense, they'll be grateful for the feedback.
On 27 Jul 2014 at 9:23pm Shop Girl wrote:
I have to say that the new owners of the downstairs Cafe at Riverside are a breath of fresh air-so polite and personable-what a complete turnaround from the previous old sour faced owner. Had coffee there and it was great Might even try the food now. Bet the Riverside is pleased.