I HATE BEING WRONG! 

...but the awesome food softens the blow!

Oracle Shopping Centre, 9 The Riverside, Reading, Berks   0118 959 1180

I'd been to Cote Brasserie on a couple of occasions (in Brighton and Bath) and on both occasions I was hugely disappointed! The service was awful and even after bringing it to the attention of our server, not a lot was ever done to compensate for our long waits, cold food and their general inattentiveness.

However, when the Reading branch opened right on my doorstep I decided to give it another try. And to my astonishment it was absolutely fantastic!

For starters, The sautéed chicken liver salad served with grapes, golden raisins, tarragon, pine nuts and grilled pain de champagne (priced at £5.25) was beautifully cooked and quite frankly, the best I have ever tasted. The coarsely shredded duck and pork pate with toasted sour dough bread, shallots and cornichons (priced at £4.95) was equally as fantastic.

Our waiter discussed with us the types of food, meat and vegetables that we liked and then suggested that I try the Roast Duck Breast (£13.95) which was pan roasted and served pink with gratin potato and a groithile cherry sauce. The creamy potato combines with tender cherry glazed duck was outstanding. My partner decided to go for the Half Char grilled Chicken (£9.95) with a wild mushroom sauce, crème fraiche and thyme. We finished off the evening with a warm chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream (£5.25) and the Crepe Chantilly, with fresh strawberry's and chantilly cream (£4.95).

Cote Brasserie offers exquisite value for money dining in the heart of Reading, with an impressive menu and superb wine list. During our 3 hour visit we we're spoilt rotten with a succession of delicious dishes. The service was second to none and our waiter, Mikey was absolutely fantastic. Professional and knowledgeable in the produce served, where the ingredients are from, how they are cooked and what flavours compliment each other. He suggested dishes we would not have ordinarily have chosen, yet thoroughly
enjoyed. 

Cote delivers the basics of French cooking within its peaceful and stylish Parisian brasserie. I now know that there is a lot more to this restaurant chain then meets the eye (and the taste buds for that matter).