The Alex Café Bar & Brasserie — Restaurant in East Suffolk

Having had a coffee at the Viewpoint Cafe, one of the three venues run by the locally-based Yeo Group, I had booked here for their 'Roast on the Coast' Sunday lunch. When I arrived, I thought I had no chance of a table, the ground floor being absolutely rammed on a cold and foggy late December day. Then, a helpful staff member pointed out that I was booked into the upstairs brasserie, the ground floor being the cafe-bar. On the floor above, I was put in the most perfect table possible for a total ship-spotting anorak like me. First impression was being somewhat surprised that it wasn't at all busy. Just one other table was occupied when I arrived at 1230 and only about half a dozen in total by the time I left a little after 2pm. I thought it a nice touch that, when the friendly female waiting staff brought me the menu and the drinks list, she offered to bring me some water while I perused the fare on offer. I started with, a first for me, 'Crackling straws', served with roast apple sauce. Now I adore crackling and, at £3.50, these didn't disappoint. They went down exceptionally well with the really tasty mushroom soup of the day. Laden with an assortment of fungi, this was the tastiest bowl of soup I have had in a long time. I didn't touch the 'freshly-baked bread' which, to be honest, looked fairly unappetising chunks of white baguette. More than anything, I was looking forward to the roast Sunday lunch, my absolute favourite meal. I would forgo all the Michelin-star meals I have ever eaten for a decent Sunday lunch. Unfortunately, this wasn't it. When the meal arrived, it was lukewarm, at best. I asked for it to be replaced, a male member of staff returning fairly quickly with 'a very hot plate'. Whatever the chef had done may have heated up the meal, but his efforts certainly didn't improve its quality. It appeared to me that everything had been cooked many hours before and kept in some sort of warmer. I understand that prep has to be done in advance, but there is no excuse for all the ingredients not being absolutely fresh at the very beginning of service. At least the excellent selection of veg. was al dente. However, the beef was crucified well beyond well done and the watery gravy it came with did it no favours at all. The yorkie pud was fluffily enormous but had been cooked goodness' knows how long before it was plonked on the plate. The main course was really disappointing, especially following two really tasty starters. I am afraid that, in my view, this amounted to very lazy chefery. Come on Sue and Dom, your kitchen team can - and must - do a lot better than this. As for the wifi, the signal was very poor and kept dropping out. In fact, I spent most of my time on the nearby East Suffolk Council offering. But, to end on a positive note, the toilets were very trendy with a most unusual sink and...

I've had to leave a review because of the 'wow factor' we got at the 'New Year's Eve' meal here 2023/2024. The welcome was very good, the food was very very good, but, the service was very excellent. I/we have been to many top restaurants in the UK, Europe and the US, also a few Michelin restaurants. Believe me when I say the food and the service here was easily on par with our past experiences at very renowned top restaurants. We had a fantastic night, well above expectations.

I/we had to drop a star due to the doormen being (putting it politely) a little unprofessional. My wife at 42 years old came outside to stand with me as I was having a cigar, she got cold after a few minutes and as she tried to re-enter the pub she was quite aggressively pushed back by a Doorman/bouncer because the pub was full. She did give back as good as she got, she also explained to him that we had a table booked here above in the restaurant and spent over £200. She said that should be a good reason for her to re-enter. He did pull a frown and laugh at her, so my parter got her receipt out for proof. He let her in.....

We did not let this ruin our night, but it did put a dent in our mood. We did plan staying all night to celebrate the new year, but, we did leave shortly after this incident and went home to celebrate the new year.

I want to make a couple of suggestions, that is,, , hire doormen who are more professional, not 'Nightclub' type doormen. (I did see a doorman wearing a jacket with the logo of a very near nightclub). In my opinion a doorman with a more professional approach rather than the aggressive approach would suit this pub far more. I also want to suggest that either using a stamp or wristband may be worth using with paying customers who have booked a table, as to avoid this happening again in the future.

Anyway, many thanks to all the staff at The...

Went here as a treat for Sunday lunch with my sister. When booking was asked if we had any allergies, which we don't. Good things... arrived at allotted time and was actually given a window seat and was asked for our drink order , which came quickly. Then we waited about half hour for the food. On receiving the roast dinner I felt I could smell garlic, which I hate and it makes me heave.And yes the roast potatoes are garlic and rosemary! This is not normal surely and wasn't put on menu board so how was I to know? Told waitress and she said " wasn't you asked about allergies?" Erm yes but I'm not allergic to it. I was offered more veg or boiled potatoes. Off goes my plate for another ten minutes. Brought back ( same dinner that been kept warm) with a few potatoes. Even the veg included a purée , how's that a hearty Sunday dinner? 2 average size veg portions plus one of slop. The meat was very fatty and full of gristle. All comments and groans fell on deaf ears. Filled out comments card with complaints. Charged full for meals that were expensive to start with . On return home some 80 miles away get a standard email thanking for custom and when I return £10 discount when I believe I spend £40. No apology nothing. The discount available two weeks and I don't even live there. Nice atmosphere and views but avoid Sunday lunch at all costs ( unless you like...