Le Petit Bijou - Stockport

My friend and I were in need of a good girlie catchup so as on other occasions we went to The Bijou. We have been about half a dozen times before and have always enjoyed it, and this time was no different.We got the comfy sofas in the corner ordered our lunch with a little banter from the owner who is always very helpful and very patient! Girls like to deliberate! Our food came and my friends Ploughmans looked and apparently was gorgeous, really fresh. I had the hot Chicken and Bacon sandwich which too was lovely. We caught up with all our news and then decided to have another coffee along with a cake, which you just have to do! These were lovely homemade cakes which just rounded our afternoon off perfectly. It was as always a great afternoon in The Bijou, lovely food and service, and we both said on the way home that it is like sitting in your own lounge having a chat. There was no pressure and we were not rushed at all. Just a lovely afternoon, thank you......

A friend and I decided to go for lunch here. This turned out to be a grave error. I ordered scrabbled eggs and toast with brown sauce. Upon the food arriving the toast was rather soggy, apologetically I said that I had meant to ask for the the eggs separately. I explained it was because the toast goes soggy otherwise. The man serving, who I assume is the business owner, must have taken offence at this explanation, as he moodily retorted, 'you don 't have to explain the mechanics. I am an educated man '. My friend and I, as well as other dinners were rather taken aback by the comments. This soured the experience entirely. In addition to this, when I asked for some brown sauce, the owner then point blank refuted that I had asked for sauce, stating, I should have asked earlier, which was strange, considering how trivial asking for condiments should be. Eventually he returned with the sauce and conceded that I had in fact asked for it, to the owner 's credit he did muster a solitary 'sorry '. To cap the experience he said 'next time, get you order right the first time round ' I responded saying there wouldn 't be a next time. I found rather amusing that despite his claims of being an 'educated man ' he failed to recognise that his manner was completely at odds with the industry he has chosen to work in. A thoroughly unpleasant experience overall, I would highly recommend NOT going and putting money in to this rude man 's business.

As it happens, I was in the Bijou at the same time as the previous critical review. The lady's comments are a travesty of justice. They bear no relationship to what actually happened. Like all patrons she was well treated and seemed to enjoy her visit. I can't imagine what caused her to write this review.

If you need a break from Manchester life or just feel the urge to escape without leaving the country, we always found Bijou refreshingly different, with an atmosphere that allows you to forget you are in Manchester or even Britain.That said, it does one of Britain's best fry-up breakfasts, which are great value for money too and the friendly staff make a half-decent coffee.There are plenty of dining tables, a front terrace and a courtyard that we remember being open during summer plus (our favourite) fabulously comfortable sofas in one corner perfect for a relax.Recently returning after about six years away we were pleased to find little had changed and the formula is obviously working for the owners, who have survived the financial crisis and recession.This reviewer now lives in cafe-heaven Melbourne so to remain impressed with Bijou is a complement of the highest order!

Would love to have tried it but having a sleeping baby meant they wouldn't let us in. It seems they don't allow any children under 12. Shame really as it looks nice and was quite empty compared to the other cafes about. I think they're missing a trick. Went to jas jas jas round the corner instead and would highly recommend it!