The best restaurants serving French food in South West

I was at the Cribbs Causeway Patisserie Valerie branch earlier today for lunch with a friend to celebrate a recent achievement of mine, and initially, had a lovely meal, I was there with my 5 month old baby son who did not make a sound the entire time we were there, until the last 5 minutes when it was time to go and he got a bit restless whilst in his pram….to stop him from breaking into a cry and causing others to be affected by his cries i was using one of his soft toys that has a rattle internally to try and distract him, which was working, when a female member of staff who had been making teas and coffees took it upon her self to come and very rudely tell me to stop shaking the toy as it was “very distracting” I’d like to add that I’d been using the rattle for roughly 5 minutes and had not seen anyone complain to her as she hadn’t left the spot she was on for almost the entire time I was eating, and actually was much less distracting than his crying would have been! and as in most restaurants the ambient chatter was quite loud anyway, so much so, the friend I was with hadn’t even registered the rattle, how the member of staff heard me over the coffee machine (which had been distracting to me) I don’t know, as the rattle is inside a stuffed toy so isn’t exactly on the decibel scale! I was shocked and stunned so did stop shaking the toy, but shock soon turned to anger as I couldn’t believe what had just happened, I spoke to a member of staff who called over a manager, who we relayed the situation to, he offered some free cake as an apology (but never apologised) I said what I actually wanted was some money back even if just the service charge I had paid, I had just spent a lot of money for a lunch and paid the added service charge without any hesitation, to then be spoken to like that by a member of staff was outrageous, I was told by the manager I couldn’t have my money back and I could only have free cake, which I very reluctantly agreed to, as nothing else was forthcoming, I however do not feel this even comes close to an apology for the way I was spoken to. I asked if the member of staff would be spoken to as I had been really upset by what had happened to be told she would, as I left the restaurant I saw him walk straight past her without saying a word, which disheartened me further, as I felt my complaint had not been listened to, as It was as I was leaving I am unsure if she was ever spoken to. I’d like to say I used to work in retail and am not an unreasonable person, in fact, I avoid conflict wherever possible, but feel very strongly that the experience I had was not very inclusive, it was a child’s rattle that I really don’t think was causing any harm as it really isn’t loud (he has plenty of louder toys I could have taken!) I’m very aware how offensive children’s toys can be so only take this one with me as it’s so quiet but helps soothe him, I’m concerned what may have happened if id had a child that had had difficulties that meant they could not help being noisy, would I have been told to make him stop as he was too distracting? that’s really not very inclusive at all is it? and extremely poor customer service. To be spoken to by a member of staff the way I was after spending a lot of money in the restaurant is absolutely disgusting, to then not be taken seriously by the manager just added insult to injury, I will not be eating at Patisserie Valerie again as I don’t feel welcome with my baby, I will instead spend my money somewhere I am not made to feel like I’m in the wrong for not wanting my baby to cry and impact others experiences whilst eating, I also would hate to think I happen to “distract” another member of staff in the future.

Nice location in Wimborne provided the weather is nice as you can sit outside. Coffee was good as was the green tea. Service was good.

Great for Afternoon Tea. Huge, warm scones with Jam and cream. Sat outside, overlooking golf course.

Our daughter and son in law took us there as part of our Christmas present. I can honestly say it was one of the finest, if not the finest meal I have had. This was also the opinion of the other three. It was in a very relaxed atmosphere and we shall certainly revisit. We all chose the taster menu and We would highly recommend it.

Seeing the 'A' board outside I spotted duck eggs on toast with black pudding and a date and apricot sauce. Sounded wonderful. What I actually got one egg on toast, not eggs, with black pudding and a dollop of brown sauce. Now maybe brown sauce has date and apricot in it but that's not what most people would expect. Rather disappointing. Having said that the people are very pleasant, the place itself fine, although prices a bit high. This café good be a gem in the heart of town with better advertising, and the new chef that's apparently coming. So keep an eye on it.