To think the quality of Patisserie Valerie is pretty dire these days

[DyslexicScientist]

It used to be such a fabulous cake shop, they expanded a bit and were still good. They've expanded hugely and well done on that, but the quality is nothing like it used to be. I've had better stuff from mc café s in the content.

I was tempted to buy their yule log, but even though it looks good and costs 30, I don't think it will be all that.

Anyone else noticed it go downhill massively?

I didn't realise that Druckers was the same. I've had cake at the Arndale Druckers a couple of times and it was bland mush both times. It's a nice enough place to sit in, but the service wasn't fantastic and I remember both times I picked something that looked lovely but tasted very blah.

I do remember that the portions were huge and it all got very sickly. No way could I finish them.

we got a cake for a birthday a few years back. it looked fantastic but tasted of not much, i wasn't impressed. cost £££ too

PV sadly did go downhill a few years ago. I trued to replace it with Caffe Concerto but since they opened they have sold cakes which taste of nothing. The only acceptable alternative is Paul.

I can remember my Dad taking me as a treat when I was little. It's just shit now.

So what IS a good place to go for cake in London? Have never been to PV but I'd been considering getting an Amazon voucher for afternoon tea - won't be bothering now. I don't particularly want a full on afternoon tea, just a nice cake to take home.

Pooh for a Betty's fat rascal!

Swirly,
Konditor and Cook is still good
And Hummingbird Bakery if you like the cupcake thing...

I thought PV was a new concept. Thinking of the one in Milton Keynes. Never go in. Gluten free and for the most part, sugar free.
Glad I've saved my money.

I was in one recently and I'd be surprised if the bathroom had Brel cleaned this year, to be honest. Awful.

Brel? Really iPhone?

Been!

The Chester one is dreadful. Dirty tables, really poorly laid out, rude staff etc. In fairness, it is a year since I have been so may have changed a bit. Went a couple of times. Wasn't at all special.

Thanks sparechange, will check out Konditor and Cook, their website looks good.

Mermaid - it was the branch on Stoney Street, I think I might even have given the manager a piece of my mind on witnessing his bad behaviour. Shame as it was a regular stop off for us...anyone planning to make a trip grab coffee next door in Monmouth and grab a wall somewhere to sit - the grounds of Southwark Cathedral works for us.

I knew Pat Val was on the way out when they opened one in our local town in the "cheap" shopping centre, wedged between Shoe Zone, Poundland and Sports Direct.

Aah, there's one on Piccadilly. Have clocked it. DD has wryly shaken her head. Smaller, less pretentious independents tucked away. It's quite flash but I wouldn't call it poor quality or common.

The last cake I had in there tasted much the same as the cakes they have in hungry horses.

I won't eat either again sickly yet no real taste

Isn't Pat Val cake frozen and shipped in?