Taste for Life Cafe & Bar in Cheshire East

Went to this costa in wilmslow today with my son and his two daughters. I wanted to use the toilet while my son joined the queue. As usual not in use , with the fake sign to say not in use. I told them to leave, not going to spend money in a place that doesn’t provide a toilet. Terrible experience.

At first forgotten item which had to pay again then when I left realised have wrong order

Fast and efficient coffee service even though the place was very busy. Quality, as usual, was good. We only come for coffee and can't comment any food.

Reviewing predominantly based on service during my most recent visit 25/04/2025. I have purchased food items a couple of times previously which have been fine. During my lunch break today I walked into Chatwins, which has a hot food counter on the left with a till and a cold food counter on the right with a till. In order to choose cold food, it is necessary to walk up to the cold food counter to see what's available before ordering. Upon entering there were two men at the hot food counter being served. I walked over to the cold food counter to see what was available and stood in front of the till and waited to be served, which is where I remained for approximately 5 minutes. During this time a staff member cleaning tables walked past and saw me several times, but at no point did she acknowledge me or think to tell me that the till I was patiently waiting at wasn't in service and that I needed to go over to the hot counter to be served from the cold counter, nor did I spot any signage indicating this is how Chatwins operates. After 5 minutes standing there, a woman from the hot counter finally spotted me and dismissively said to me "there's just one queue" and pointed to the back of the shop, where a queue had since formed in the time I'd been waiting. Firstly, when I arrived, there was no queue, I was next in line behind the two men already in the process of being served and there was nobody behind me. By the time I was noticed the queue was all the way back to the door and I was expected to join the back of the queue? Sure I could have stood my ground, but my time and peace is worth more than that, and if people don't wish to serve me, then I'll go elsewhere. It would have taken very little effort for the lady walking around the cafe and cold counter to have uttered a couple of words to me to advise me I couldn't get served at the cold counter till. Likewise, if the woman that so dismissively told me "there's one queue" after waiting 5 minutes really hadn't noticed me walk in, she could easily have asked how long I'd been there or asked me if I was next. Had I been in the 'correct' queue and observed this situation myself, I'd have spoken up and said "that lady was there before me". But no one did, so rather than join the back of the queue and wait for a second time, I chose to leave. Do better.

As locals we are desperate for the White Lion to return to its glory days. We can walk there - super handy! Popped in for mid week family quick tea tonight to give it another go after recent mediocre experiences. Prices are high - but then the food is now self collection? Really? Bad start. Then waited 50 mins for food. Toilets out of order / no loo roll 🤢 so a bit cross by now i sought the manager. The manager replied with a slew of defensive ‘we are busy’ responses. The pub was ultra quiet… busy? Really? Then food arrived - oops was ready to collect. Definitely not worth the cost/ wait! Katsu curry ok. Veg cold on other meals. No apology issued at any point. I did point out an apology goes a long way! This is a village pub crying out for friendly service. Great food and service = repeat business and recommendation. Sadly we wont be back any time soon.