Brasserie du President - Lille

We were looking around for a nice place to enjoy our coffee and ended up in this place. The waiter refused to take our photo. He was rude and service was not great.

Ideally situated in the Grand Place. We expected breakfast to cost a little more than elsewhere. Three coffees and two baguettes were €19.10! The bread was disappointing as it was not the normal crunchy, crusty French fare, but limp and soft. Ugh. Not far away, by the SNCF station, there are 3 bars that do breakfast for €4.5 - €7.00. The €7 has coffee, fresh baguette, yoghurt and fresh orange juice. No contest!

Our French is not great and I'm a vegetarian so after a long time walking around, we decided on this place as I recognised omelette and chips as a safe bet. The croquettes were the first disappointment - only two for €7 for a starter. My main of omelette and chips was OK but nothing special, and a similar situation for my husband's meat loaf-ish main. On receiing the bill we had been charged for the wrong (more expenseive) starter, and there was an extra charge for drinks on the terrace. As we were right out front, rather then in the large seated errace area, and this was in small print on the menu, we were not impressed. The most enjoyable part of the meal was when the torrential rain came down and we watched the storm. Disappointing.

I went here to eat lunch on New Year's day because most shops were closedIt was more expensive than the usual meals.

I eat there several times a week because I work next to it and very honestly I'm always very well received... Good luck to the whole team. Greg