Cogs Bar & Kitchen — Restaurant in Coventry

That is going to be a long review. Before I start I have to mention this - our dinner has been pre-booked with all selections made upfront. But let's crack on. I wish I made notes of how long I waited for everything. Chatting with friends distracted me so I don't have exact figures. But nearly half an hour for the first time the waitress approached our table to ask for any drinks...and then it wasn't going any better. Coke, fruit infused tea, normal and oat milk latte. Coke came quickly ("only" ~15 minutes from the order time) followed by the tea. Coffee got lost in action. Arrived way later than other drinks. Oat milk latte (ordered due to lactose intolerance) came as a normal cappuccino... Then the starters time...something around half an hour later I was "enjoying" 4 slices of pork belly (around 5mm thick and maybe a square inch big) on top of a bunch of shredded lettuce 🤣 Due to "enormous" size of my starter, I was ready for my main 5 minutes later. But it doesn't mean my main arrived that quick. No no no! But during my wait that place kept me entertained. 45 minutes watching kitchen staff hanging around or waitresses trying to remember and not screw up next table order. It was a bit of fun. Finally! My main...and I think that was the best part of my visit. Tasty pork loin (quite a small portion) with some roasted veggies and (hick!) potatoes. Unfortunately the potatoes were disgusting. You don't have to be an expert to say whether potatoes were freshly roasted or prepared early and placed in the oven to heat them up and make them a bit crispy. Considering the wait time for my main, they could take the trip to a farm, harvest potatoes from the soil, process them and bake fresh. Ok, just over 2 hours from when we were seated it was desert time. And I wish I skipped that part of my order to save myself time, as a couple of scoops took them nearly another half an hour. I ended up devouring them instead of enjoying them, as had to pick my kids. I understand it's not a fast food place...but the wait time was ridiculous. And all this with the restaurant not even being full. They have to hire more staff or be more efficient with whoever they already employ. I am really sorry but this place goes right to the "Never...

Sunday lunch for two. Quickly seated and time to look around . . . it's still new and the newness is enhanced with the cleanliness (no mean feat in a city centre) and layout. Service began well and continued well, observant and quick when something needed otherwise unobtrusive and non of that current fashion for in your face performing! Questions about the Sunday lunch options were answered well and I settled for the classic Sunday roast with rare lamb. My son had a brain fart and despite the more exotic options plumped for battered fish, chips and mushy peas!

Our, generous, starters were vegan beetroot falafel and giant prawns in puff batter . . . these proved almost a meal in themselves and I'm pleased I tried the falafels as they were exquisite served hot with a bowl of tomato relish. Son reported the prawns good despite his faux pas of fish followed by fish and his failure to give me a couple to try!

The main courses continued with this success only a minor minus and a whole range of pluses! The key to an excellent meal lies in the vegetables, the roast parsnip and carrot and the steamed mixed veg were exactly right, cooked and served with perfect texture, the batter pudding and the stuffing ball were as they should be, the lamb was tender, pink and plentiful. A jug of meat juice gravy accompanied.

The battered fish was, well, fishy, the peas appeared home soaked, seasoned and cooked, the chips large and looking inviting . . . . The star here was the bowl of tartar sauce again appearing home produced and an excellent accompaniment.

The trivial minus? With both our meals the choice of potato strain was inappropriate for each of the chunky chips with his fish and the roasties with my lamb. Both applications require a potato variety that delivers a more 'floury' interior with a crisp outer skin.

Portions were generous and service flawless. Having only cracks and crevices to fill we opted for sorbets for the sweet . . . they were deliciously fruity.

All in all an excellent 9.6 out of 10. Good for a new hotel restaurant that is still largely in the process of...

Absolutely avoid unfortunately.

The venue is very clean, modern and a good location for the station.

The food was average, not bad but hot and ok but menu is quite limited and could be expanded.

However the service is some of the worst I have ever had, whilst apologetic staff and polite when engaged with, it may as well been self service.

It took 35 minutes for my cocktail to arrive after I arrived alone. After my family arrived no one came to take drink orders we had to go search for someone.

We asked about the wine wall (why we came) and were told you had to get a card from the hotel reception - had to queue behind people checking in. To then be told no you do order that at the restaurant/bar. Fine a mistake.

But then our food arrived before they managed to sort the wine card which just completely ruined the meal. Also the price of the wine wall could be more competitive - slightly over priced.

When asked ‘are got done’ when our plates were empty I did yes we all done. They said ‘ok’ but then didn’t bother clearing the table and walked away.

We had to then try and find someone to get the bill - multiple staff available (one bar, 3 waiting) and only 3 tables in the whole restaurant and the service was this terrible. Can imagine what it would be like when it’s busy.

Sorry to say we had high hopes(and excited about the wine wall) but we...