Patisserie Valerie- not surprising?

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Just heard on the news that Patisserie Valerie is in trouble. Frankly I'm not surprised. For me it has always missed its target. It sells nice patisserie like a posh cafe but looks like a cheap diner. As much as I'd like to go for the coffee and cake they're not pretty or comfy places. Anyone feel the same?

They are horribly dated, and not in a cool retro way either.

The problem isn't the holes in the doughnuts, or anything else wrong with Pat Val's cakes, it's the surprise £20 million hole in their bank account. The finance director is answering questions about fraud now.

Patisserie Valerie- Costa standard cakes at 3X the price, probably made in a factory and defrosted on site. No surprise at all if they go under.

The Ivy- I have had a couple of lunches in a new branch of the Ivy (Cambridge) recently, and they were excellent both times, both food and service.

I’ve been eyeing up the cakes in the window of our local one for years.

Couple of weeks ago I went to a wedding fair so was on my own, feeling all ladylike and grown up and thought I’d treat myself to a cuppa and a cake.

Waited bloody ages for them to take my order, to bring my stuff and to pay at the end (got up to leave in the end and paid on the way out)

I couldn’t believe how expensive it was for a not-very-nice cake and a pot of weak tea. Certainly wasn’t the treat I’d anticipated for myself - I ended up leaving half the tea thinking I’d make myself a decent one when I got home!

Cake in PV is all style over substance. Pretty but not tasty.

Since they expanded from the Soho one they've been pretty rubbish. The cakes look good but every single one has been a disappointment.

Have they merged with Druckers?

I know it's not why they are in trouble, but the cakes just aren't very nice. I thought I'd have a nice treat a few weeks ago and felt ripped off for a very underwhelming bit of cake in a cold drafts warehouse of a cafe.

I'm not saying The Ivy cafes aren't acceptable or enjoyable, just that they've expanded very fast and I can't see it lasting. We've got a Euphorium near us which sells shit at horrific prices but Gail's, while expensive, is very good quality (so far!)

Yes Meg I remember the original one in Old Compton Street it was wonderful and authentic, that, the Maison Bertaux just down the road and Bar Italia of course. From before the days of coffee shop chains. You cannot scale charm and authenticity .

Never been in one,how expensive?

The one in Compton street had the same wallpaper in the 90s as our kitchen did in the 80s. Wood grain.

The cakes look great but taste as if they've been defrosted

It's because they have. All style over substance. Might as well get a Sara Lee gateau and stick half a strawberry on top.

I used to go to the original in Old Compton street too, it was marvellous, I don't live in London any more is it not there anymore?

Yes, I agree they are very scruffy looking and the cakes are not nice at all. Unfortunately that’s what happens with large chains.

Never been in one,how expensive?

I mean we're not talking second mortgage here, but £7-8 for a hot drink and a shit cake. The type of thing you'd get for half that and twice as nice in the Waitrose cafe.

I've only ever bought take home pastries from a concession, years ago, in Selfridges and they weren't very nice. Pretty looking chocolate, cream and flaky pastries in a fancy little box. I was so certain they'd be gorgeous. I only had two bites, couldn't finish the rest.

taste as if they've been defrosted

Yes! Was trying to think what they tasted like and that's spot on. Watery nothingness with a hint of fake. They taste of disappointment.

Their quality has really gone down

They got greedy 🤷‍♀️

If you want the real thing try maison in greek street - I always preferred it to pv back in the 80s.

Agree with pps that the original in Old Compton Street was wonderful, my father used to take me and my DB there on a Sunday morning sometimes, in the early 60s. They did the best croissants I've ever had, fantastic coffee (yes, children did drink coffee then), the butter, unsalted, came in little pats on a saucer of iced water. They'd bring a big plate of croissants and brioches to the table, and later on a tiered stand with an assortment of cakes and pastries; when they came to do the bill they just asked what you'd had. It was run by Belgians then. After it was taken over by Italians it went downhill and now it's utter crap.

I wonder why this place has went down the toilet and others like Krispy Kreme prosper. Generally both tend to be noisy and not pleasant to sit in but at least PV has more choice. Mind you I hate donuts so really don't get the appeal. Unless the issue is a location related one.

I disagree about the nice food. I had a cupcake from there once and it taste d completely synthetic. very disappointing.
You can't polish a turd. Invest in decent ingredients in the first place and people will come back!

lucky marketing. KK is loud, brash, chemical, colourful, sugary crap. Sometimes that’s what I want (though I’d never sit in to eat it, it’s more something I buy on the way home or when visiting a friend). I don’t know how much they sell doughnuts for in the UK but in Korea, they’re 1-1.5 dollars so cheap enough for teenagers or for a family.

PV markets itself as a bit posh and fancy but as it is neither these days, it failed. Cakes are pretty expensive so aimed more at older people/couples/a group of friends. But the cakes aren’t nice enough to justify the prices, nor is the atmosphere. Teenagers can’t afford, nor can a normal family of four. If I’m spending 20-25 on that kind of thing, I want actually quality and a nice atmosphere.