Subject: Rogan & Company, Cartmel Author: Cecilia Campbell Date: 4/6/2009 Body: RATING Total 21 Great atmosphere 4 Home cooked fresh food 5 Plenty of flavour 5 Good value for money 4 Service with a smile 3 Telephone: 015395-35917 www.roganandcompany.co.uk Most recent visit: October 25, 2008, for lunch (rating based on this visit) We took a couple of friends for lunch here again, based on a very positive first impression (see Original review below). I had arrived late on the first occasion, so wasn't aware of the set-up, and found it a bit curious that we stood inside the door for a good five minutes waiting for someone to greet us (even though there was only one other company in the downstairs area). Staff passed going up and down the stairs, saw us, but didn't come up. Finally I went to the bar at the back, behind which three people were standing doing nothing. "Could we have a table?" from me was greeted with five seconds silence before they finally figured we probably hadn't been before. "Oh, yes – all service is from the bar", I was told as an explanation. Well, perhaps they should indicate this to people as they come in. Just a thought. Once the service started, it was good. The menu had changed from last time we were here, about three weeks ago, with the dishes reading a bit simpler. I had two starters; Crab cakes on gem lettuce and tzatziki followed by Chicken satay with buttered noodles and tamarind sauce. The flavours were lovely in both dishes, and my only complaint was that the crab cakes came in singular (despite how it was written on the menu). Martin had Pork belly and boulangere potatoes dressed with shallot and caper sauce. He said the potatoes and sauce were delicious, and while he liked the crispness of the pork belly skin, he thought the meat lacked somewhat in flavour. Also, the dish didn't quite fill him up. Our friends had Grilled cod fillet, salt cod fritter and parsley, and Braised beef and mash, bourguignon garnish, which they were both very happy with. The cod, in particular, was cooked absolutely perfectly and came with a fantastic bright green parsley sauce. While the food was still very good indeed, the presentation was not at the same fantastic level (compared to our first visit). We'd only had starters last time, this time Martin and our two friends ordered mains, which came with pretty uninteresting steamed potatoes, carrots and courgettes, which I think let the standard down. Also, the portions seemed smaller – I had been very full on two starters on the first occasion, but now could have eaten another one. Martin also, would have needed a starter to fill up, which affects how we rate the value for money. It is curious that this restaurant, on both instances we have visited, albeit on two equally wet and foul Saturdays, has been very quiet. (It would be interesting to see how much   Cancel