Motte & Bailey Cafe — Restaurant in Arun

I'm just leaving a quick review to big it up for the Motte & Bailey Cafe, who did their bit in restoring our faith in the local eateries & hostelries in Arundel after we'd just had a bad experience in another local establishment (my review of the Black Rabbit refers).

So, having had our best laid plans scuppered, we found ourselves looking somewhere else for lunch-time food and solace. We came upon the centrally located Motte & Bailey Cafe (although I'm not sure the 'cafe' title does it justice; we had what was restaurant standard food, and we noticed they're licensed, so I'd say this is more a casual restaurant than your typical bacon-butty cafe).

So after the indifference of the previous establishment we'd been to, it was refreshing to be greeted by a cheerful and attentive waitress who took our order, and with minimal delay refreshments were on the table in the form of quality coffees, followed by Eggs Benedict for me and Irish Seafood Chowder for my other half, chosen from the Brunch and Lunch menu. Both dishes really were as good as it gets. The menu catered I'm sure for all manner of tastes and appetities with a good variety of the typical fare including salads, burgers, sandwiches and desserts.

So, in terms of ambience (a lovely view across Arundel High Street), quality of the food, friendly and courteous service, pricing, and menu options (plus there's two varying menus dependent on the time of day), it's a five from me and likewise...

Average at Best!! Heard a lot about this place over the many years I’ve been in and out of Arundel. So as my usual Cafe was packed our group of six popped in here for a late Breakfast. The staff and service were great don’t get me wrong that’s the plus side. The food was the disappointing part. The M & B Breakfast to be exact. The Sausage was long and thin the eggs over cooked soggy tomatoes and who doesn’t serve beens with a breakfast!! Only the place that wants to charge you more. The black pudding was over cooked and crispy. Then also the fact that it was warm and not HOT. Cold thin toast. My daughters scrambled eggs were to salty. Then also the thing is I know a thing or two about cooking breakfast as I was a breakfast Chef for nearly 40years. On the plus side the pancakes were fantastic as was the coffee. Also finish painting the ceiling that leads into the kitchen a yellow grease ceiling is not a good look. And maybe some white plastic sheeting under the hand dryers. You’ve been here long enough now so get it together. If I could give a 3.5 I would but it’s not a 4...

As a regular customer I was really disappointed by the service I received, to the extent that we went to eat elsewhere. As is often the case when we arrived there were no seats available and were asked to wait a few minutes. As I did not want to block the entrance with our dog I waited on the pavement whilst my wife waited at the door. 2 customers who were seated in the window started to leave and as they came towards the door my wife stepped back to give them room to leave with their dog. At this time a young couple pushed past her and entered the waitress that had asked us to wait approached them and they asked for a table, she start to show them to the window when my wife pointed out that she had just asked us to wait, with no apology and inadition nothing from the customers, she continued to show them to the window and turned to my wife and said there would be another table soon. Having spent many a lunchtime and enjoyed evening Tapas we are extremely disappointed. Needless to say we took are...