Another chain for hungry commuters who are looking for something familiar, Cafe Rouge gets the job done.

The Venue
The decor of Cafe Rouge is varied... bordering on garish. Of course, the main colour running through the scheme is red, characterised by the outlandish bright red frontage. Inside, neat little wooden tables nestle against a red sofa with other small tables scattered around the space. The walls are covered in artwork and memorabilia with flashes of French signs scattered around allowing glimpses of the warm red and yellow walls. Granny lamps cast a dim glow and keep it cosy. It’s certainly less cold than many chain restaurants.

The Atmosphere
Cafe Rouge Victoria attracts lots of commuters (being located above Victoria train station) and as such it has the fleeting ambience of being filled with people who don’t really care about what they’re eating - they just want to get fed. This filters through to the staff who are efficient but don’t seem to feel the need to go the extra mile, probably because return diners aren’t the lifeblood of this restaurant, when people traffic is so high.

The Food
The clue is in the name – Cafe Rouge serves up French food. However, it is the lazy way of doing French food, often sticking a French name on standard menu choices. Baguette Poulet, for example, is tender chargrilled chicken breast in a crisp baguette with fresh oregano, hot Dijon mayonnasie, crisp French fries and a fresh salad garnish. How very French! It’s a chicken sandwich. Still, it is a very good chicken sandwich. Alternatively, you can order main meals that are a little more authentic, such as the boeuf Bourguignon with tender, melt-in-the-mouth chunks of beef served in a deep red wine sauce with crisp, salty pork lardons, earthy plump mushrooms and onions. You can expect to pay £10-£20 to dine here per person, which isn’t extortionate, but which also isn’t the cheapest meal in Victoria.

The Drink
Wine – French of course. Starting at under £15 for a decent house red that complements the boeuf Bourguignon well and is easy on the palate as a drinking wine, the simple drinks menu works well with the French theme of the food. A selection of coffees and a large choice of standard soft drinks are good for those looking to avoid a headache before setting off on their travels.

The Last Word
A decent example of a station-bound chain restaurant, Cafe Rouge won’t win any awards for innovation but it serves its purpose and serves it well.

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