Simple — Restaurant in Epping Forest

I finally got the opportunity to try Simple as my friends have asked me loads of times if I had and to give my take so here we go:

Booked a table for 12:30 Sunday which is my usual date with my parents. Lovely rainy October Sunday arrived at 12:28 to find my parents standing outside as they were told a walk in had taken the table (what the hell) I didn’t know that a walk in trumped a reservation.

So that’s strike one. So I went in and asked what that was about and was asked to wait as someone would be leaving soon. 🤔 so I’m adamant that am eating here today, so I can give my honest review. In that moment it was very unwelcoming.

After standing outside in the rain waiting for a table we got seated at 12:48, with a messy table.. ok lovely strike two. (A little breathing exercise to calm the nerves). We were handed menus and that was it..

After mauling over the menu for 2 minutes ready to order. Am like mmm ok no one is coming over and we have not cutlery on the table, no orders where taken even for drinks. Lovely (is it me, but what’s going on). Enjoying the company of my parents, we just sat and waited. 13:07 waitress comes to take the order. (Now that’s a really bad first impression)

Ordered the food and I said mmm hopefully the food would make up for the poor, poor, poor reception we got.

Mother ordered the Simple breakfast without the hash brown and cherry tomatoes and had toasted sourdough bread instead and a can of coke to drink(her rating 3.5/5) , Father ordered an omelette with cheese, spinach, peppers a and mushrooms with toasted brown bread and side of fries (He rated his omelette 4/5 and the fries (4.5/5) and I ordered the Crispy Bacon & Chicken Wrap with Halloumi fries and the Açai Kick Smoothie to drink. My rating on my meal was a 3.5/5 and I would rate my Açai Kick 4/5 - it was a good wrap and very filling and well complemented with the Halloumi fries.

The food made up for the poor start. The waitress eventually apologised for the wait and the other fella that was behind the counter making coffee when I first arrived.

So I would recommend them for the food but please don’t have expectation on the reception you might get disappointed. I would try them again and hopefully il have a better welcome and change my review but for now here’s the ratings:

Overall food rating 3.5 out of 5 Experience 2 out of...

Bought a breakfast with my daughter here today. One of the orders was wrong and I explained that we are in a rush, so waiting 7 more minutes for another omelette does not work. The error should have been prioritised as it doesn't take seven minutes to make something so simple. So my daughter had to eat alone whilst I watch. A refund was made for that one item and it should have been both as that ruined our breakfast experience - the service being charged for. For your information, the value paid is not just about the food, it's about the experience. And it's the clever smile and sarcastic 'have a nice day sir' that has achieved you a shocking review. Maybe consider that person is a local resident that has lived here 30 years, will not return to your venue (have been previous many times) and will not talk about your business in a nice light. Well done. I would also state that £37.40 for a waffle and omelette plus two drinks is the very highest end of what you would expect to pay (it's plain expensive) and your service and attention to detail does not...

Nice little place, came here as suggested by a friend and didn't disappoint. Quite a large menu for the size of the café and the atmosphere was good with four (I believe) tables outside at the front. The staff seemed happy and were very attentive, some people who were in at the time seemed to either know them or were regulars, which is usually a good sign. I went for the chicken burger, which I'd recommend, decent sized burger but not too big and came with a load of fries as well. The food was very good and reasonably priced as well, especially being in the outskirts of London. Would recommend this place, would absolutely come back if I'm in...