La Dolce Vita Caffè — Restaurant in England

My partner and I used to be regulars at this restaurant, faithfully visiting every Saturday for years. However, after a long hiatus due to COVID, we recently decided to give it another try. To say we were disappointed would be an understatement.

From the moment we entered, we were greeted by a hostess who asked if we had a booking. It was quite baffling considering this place used to be a casual coffee shop, not a high-end establishment. We were taken aback by the idea that we needed a reservation just to grab a coffee or have a simple breakfast. Life is hectic enough with schedules and obligations; the last thing I expected was to make a reservation for a casual dining experience.

Despite the initial setback, we decided to give the restaurant another chance. Unfortunately, the second visit turned out to be even worse. We were seated at a table located right next to the cash register, meaning we were constantly exposed to foot traffic and the prying eyes of other customers. It was a thoughtless decision that made us feel like unwanted guests.

Moreover, the overall atmosphere was lacking warmth and hospitality. The waitress who served us seemed visibly unhappy and demonstrated an unfriendly attitude throughout our meal. It was disheartening to witness such a stark contrast from the friendly and welcoming staff we had encountered in the past.

As patrons who once held this restaurant in high regard, it saddens me to share this negative experience. The lack of friendliness, the unnecessary requirement for reservations, and the poor table placement all contributed to an unwelcoming and uncomfortable dining experience. We had hoped for better, but unfortunately, the decline in quality and service was apparent.

Given the multitude of dining options available, it's crucial for establishments to prioritize customer satisfaction and maintain the standards that attracted loyal patrons in the first place. Regrettably, this particular restaurant failed to meet those expectations on our recent visits.

Unless significant improvements are made to address these concerns, I find it difficult to recommend this restaurant to others. There are plenty of other places where one can enjoy a pleasant and inviting dining experience without feeling like an inconvenience or an...

Pros; Easy access for buggies, ramps inside help with wheelchairs too Free parking right outside Benefits from play area for toddlers / bookshelf including books for all ages for bookswapping (adults included) Some staff are lovely and recognise you on return visits! There are several vegan options available for breakfast, brunch and lunch, including cakes, pancakes and milkshakes - yum! Good layout so you don't feel on top of neighbouring tables even when it's super busy Good few hours out with a toddler when combined with checking out the fish, plants and reptile shops 😊 Dog friendly Takeaway and grab and go available

Cons; This is of course personal preference, but my friends and family have commented the same, the spinach is too wet with the breakfasts and mushrooms/tomatoes never cooked enough to taste give them any flavour. Even when requested to cook them longer, sadly this doesn't seem to be carried out. If the request to cook things longer could be met, I'd have no complaints with the vegan breakfast at all!

There is a funny smell to the top seating area, I think it might be the soft furnishings/carpet taking a lot of damage from toddler food smushes and dog bottoms and just needing more frequent deep cleaning with odour eliminating products. I might just have a sensitive nose but as the wall need repainting and ceiling tiles replacing, it feels a little bit run down and dirty now it's been open for a long time

The sauce sachets are GRIM, no offence to the restaurant itself but the company making these sauce sachets are to blame here. How are they still in business?! 😅 Tomato sauce tastes like sugary vinegar water. Might be worth taking your own sauce if you're hoping for Heinz or HP, which let's be honest makes or breaks a sausage or bacon sandwich!

Used to have lovely bread, maybe local? Now costs have gone up and quality hasn't, so a little disappointed.

Overall not bad, but we used to come all the time and now not so much. Some small changes could make a big difference but they are usually busy so are doing enough...

'The good life'...hmmm, not so much.

This cafe meant so much to many loyal, repeat customers. The term 'heart of the community' is often batted around, but Robyns Nest meant that much to do many. To see it completely stripped of personality, warmth and class is genuinely heartbreaking. I like change, I actively embrace it, but when it is made with total disregard for existing customers AND clearly by someone without experience, it isn't always a good thing.

Arriving at the cafe today, I was expecting to see the smiling staff and cherished/appreciated play area...how disappointed we were. My girls (who have been coming to this cafe since they were born, three and a half years ago) were baffled by the new layout, stating 'what have they done, it doesn't look very nice'...followed by tears. These kids aren't overly dramatic, but this place was a constant and felt like 'home' to them. Looking around at a once cozy and inviting space, I can only describe it as cold and somewhat resembling a service station cafe. The logo looks like a boomer designed it (no offensive intended, just an accurate description). The menu is bleak, the food is straight out of a greasy spoon and the staff look depleted. They are clearly a lovely bunch, but I should think they are exhausted by all the customers, like myself, confused about how the new owner could get it so so wrong - and I'm pretty sure the staff agree, even if they don't voice it. The cafe was handed to the new owner on a plate - pun intended - and they have managed to not only dropped it, but have ripped the very large heart out of a once bustling and much loved cafe. We won't be returning, to the cafe or the...