In such a beautiful and perfect setting you would think that any bar/restaurant would seek to emulate the exceptional surroundings Hengistbury Head provides.
Sadly The Beach House Cafe doesn’t quite match-up to its sister bar/restaurant Soho in Christchurch town centre for quality and service.
For some reason the relaxed atmosphere of the beach seems to have been adopted by some of the staff waiting on people. The happy helpful enthusiasm of their colleagues at Soho isn’t matched here. Indeed at times it verges on being curt, which is a shame for everyone as it tempers the atmosphere somewhat.
Unfortunately a less than happy working environment can affect the whole dynamics of a business. And this is clearly evident here. I ordered their cooked breakfast admittedly close to the end of their breakfast service, and was served something of a lame looking platter. Indeed the scrambled egg looked so pale it seemed ill.
Nevertheless I dug in only to find the whole thing was luke warm in colour as much as in temperature! I called the waitress over who was pleasant enough and immediately agreed with my sentiments.
A fresh breakfast arrived and was in complete contrast to the first in presentation, colour and temperature. Indeed it was delicious but this was tarnished as my mind kept darting back to the pathetic meal first laid before me.
We all make mistakes but why was it ever handed to me in the first place? If people cared surely they would have noticed what they’d cooked/and delivered!
The Beach House’s menu differs from Soho to the extent it reflects the setting of the bar/restaurant as well as its popularity as the evening menu is for me quite pricey.
Overall I give it a score of 6/10
