La Casa, Mill Street (ex-Pastiche).

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
Up until last Saturday I have always loved the place.

10 of us went in at 5.45. We were the only people in the place so one would assume that we would get served very quickly.

They were slow taking the order. To be fair to them they had sent us a form to order online. None of us filled it in because we didnt know what we would be feeling like on the night but all of us had read it so we knew what was on the menu to save time.

We knew what we wanted very quickly but we waited a while. He didnt takethe order for what seemed like an etenity.
We eventually got our starters at 6.45. (These were all very nice).

The meals when they came were just average. 2 people had steak which was tough as old boots and tasteless. One had duck which was awful. Those that had sea bass thought it was gorgeous, one liked his lobby and the pasta was ok.

It was the service that was disappointing considering we were the only people in there.

We eventually left at about 7.30, but we didnt have time for desert.

Comparing this to the week before when we had gone to Pizza Express in Brindley place the night of the Strictly Live show.
It was heaving, people were queing out the door.
We got served within minutes and had 3 courses in an hour and a quarter.
They were really on the ball.

At Pastiche they didnt seem to have any sense of time even though we had told them we were going to the theatre.
 

Wormella

Well-Known Forumite
You were pushed for time, a big table and you didn't use the super useful pre order form? Every time I've got to Pastiche with a big table (I think 22 was the largest table we've had) we've had wonderful, speedy service, even on really busy days.

Getting a table of 10 ready when they all order different things is hard going, especially as they can't have very large kitchens at Pastiche, and everything is cooked to order, from a wide range of options, It's not fair to compare it to a corporate pizza joint, where everything effectively takes the same time to prepare and cook, because they are all pizzas...
 

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
You were pushed for time, a big table and you didn't use the super useful pre order form?

Getting a table of 10 ready when they all order different things is hard going, especially as they can't have very large kitchens at Pastiche, and everything is cooked to order, from a wide range of options, It's not fair to compare it to a corporate pizza joint, where everything effectively takes the same time to prepare and cook, because they are all pizzas...

I would agree with you if the restaurant had been busy.

However there were only 10 in the whole restaurant, on previous occasions they have coped very well and very quickly even when full.

The food would have come quicker if the waiter had asked if we were ready to order sooner instead of waiting an age. We would have called him over but he was nowhere to be seen.

I dont agree that Pizza Express only serves Pizza..they do various pasta and salad too, although I take your point that Pastiche has a more varied menu.


We often go to 1709 the brasserie in Lichfield before the theatre and they are very geared up there for pre theatre dinner, serving large tables 3 courses in an hour and a half. This is a very similar place to Pastiche and used to be owned by the same people I believe. They always have people queing out the door at 6.00 for the reason you know that you can be in and out and ready for a show.

As I said before I have always enjoyed Pastiche ...this is why I recommended it to friends, but on Sat night the service and the food wasnt up to the usual high standard.
 
Last edited:

markpa12003

Well-Known Forumite
I went to Patishe on Friday night. The food and service was very good and the top floor was full. The ground floor was virtually empty. I've never had any reason to complain about Patishe. For me, its one of Stafford's best restaurants.

However, i am little confused about how the restaurant operates. I'm a regular visitor at Patishe, however I'm never sure whether we should go downstairs or upstairs. I've gone upstairs and been told to go downstairs and vice versa. I would have thought Patishe would want to 'fill up' downstairs first because its easily accessible and could entice passers by to give it a try.

Does anybody know what the procedure is for Patishe? Prior to opening the groundfloor I would have assumed that they would have used one entrance and greeted all customers on the ground floor before showing them their seats, however it appears to me to be a bit of a free for all.
 

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
We had to go downstairs as one of our party was disabled.

As we were paying the bill more people started to arrive and they were seated downstairs, but whether that is because they were told to sit there I have no idea.
 

My Name is URL

Well-Known Forumite
Went to Pastiche last night, first time we've been in since they opened downstairs. Three courses consumed consisting of gnocchi with blue cheese sauce / french onion soup for starters, Asian style baked salmon on noodles etc / cod (i think it was) with mash for mains plus a couple of sides and then oreo cookie brownie / caramel tart something for dessert.

Both starters were very well received, my asian salmon main was ok but seemed to lack a bit of flavour - even the wasabi was tasteless.... my first dessert came out burnt and I was very surprised it was sent out, but to their credit they quickly made a fresh one which was much better. They also refunded an amount on the bill which I can only assume was in lieu of the dessert but then didn't match the amount - hey ho. The other dessert was delicious though. I could be wrong but I think I saw another table mention the problem with the burnt brownie so a bit shame that someone is trying to pull a fast one sending it out.

All in all a bit disappointed with my main and that the dessert came out burnt, but my starter was delicious and the wife seemed to like all of hers so we'll definitely be back. Oh but they need to sort the drinks situ out. No ales on, only Guinness and lager.....

Oh and as for the service - was only two tables in when we arrived but the downstairs was pretty much full as we left. Service was about right to be honest, food came at a nice pace, drinks came quickly enough after we arrived while we mulled the menu, and dishes were cleared away efficiently. The only point we struggled a little was when we wanted the bill, which is when the place was at its fullest - the staff seemed to be rushing around trying to make coffees, take orders, serve food, get bills..... Not a massive moan though and they were doing their best - would be different if they were stood around chatting.
 

Wormella

Well-Known Forumite
Half of downstairs is the (excellent in my opinion) coffee shop / cafe bar that does sandwiches, platters, salads etc. The other side is a contination of the upstairs restaurant for daytime use (with the same menu).

I'm assuming during the evening that bit of downstairs acts as an overflow / accessible dining space
 

markpa12003

Well-Known Forumite
When I went to Patishe on Friday they had a couple of real ales on. I chose a lovely real ale but I can't remember its name, I'm sure 'sheep' was in title somewhere (it wasn't black sheep).

Wormella - I only tend to go to Patishe in the evenings, but I will check out the coffee shop.
 
Last edited:

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
Just to compare ...

Last night we were going to the theatre again and the show started at 7.30.

When we collected our tickets from the Gatehouse they come in a little wallet thing with various business adverts on.

One of these adverts is PASTICHE.....COME IN AT 6.00PM for pre theatre dinner.

Oh how we laughed.

They cant cope with one table of 10 let alone a full restaurant.

So, short of time we book for Pizza Express at 6.15.

Get there 5 mins late.....its RAMMED. But boy are they on the ball.

Going in at 6.20. having pizza and salad and wine. Paid bill and leaving at 7.0pm.

PASTICHE TAKE NOTE.....DONT OFFER A PRE THEATRE MEAL IF YOU DONT HAVE MOTIVATED STAFF.
 

pinky

Well-Known Forumite
Went here last night, was nice, I had the muscles starter and was disappointed that allot of the muscles where broken but other then that was nice. The staff were really friendly and a nice atmosphere.
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
Tried to go in a few times lately without booking but always the same unfortunately, its completely dead but they have no tables free. We got turned away once around half 6 then another member of staff said 'well, we do have a table thats not booked until an hour and a half away, would that be ok?'. Not a problem, I'd rather be given the option of knowing I have to leave than just not being allowed to eat, plus it means they get your food out quicker! Dread to think what they lose out on if they're only doing one cover a night on most tables?
 

Floss

Well-Known Forumite
Went Saturday night it was quite a nice meal, they bought the wrong starter, but it was quickly rectified and I mean quickly they must have them already prepared, I would say the bread roll that came with it was a tad stale, other than that it was worth the money.
 

Wormella

Well-Known Forumite
With a name like that it might be difficult to get search results. What's their cuisine?

In really hope it's a tapas bar - I love a tapas bar - something about the heady combination of cheap red wine and little dishes mainly made with rice make for the best evenings.

also - @Admin should this be a new thread when it's substantiated?
 
Last edited:
Top