REVIEW: We tried the new Merletto Lounge in High Wycombe

But while the food and atmosphere met my expectations, slow service and surprisingly long waiting times meant this was one of the poorer Loungers experiences I’ve had to date.

For those of you who don’t know, Merletto Lounge is the latest of a chain of restaurant/bar/cafes known as ‘Loungers’, boasting quirky décor and a broad but not-too-fancy menu featuring brunch, burgers, tapas and several staple restaurant meals.

As someone still in social recovery from the 2020 lockdown, I have become a big fan of order-at-the-counter restaurants like Merletto Lounge, knowing I can get up and leave at any time, never having to wait to be waited on.

READ MORE: Merletto Lounge in High Wycombe opens tonight

The outdoor seating at Merletto Lounge is sure to be a hit as the weather improves

Dropping in on a Saturday lunchtime, the place was fairly busy and there was a nice vibe inside, with shoppers and families enjoying the atmosphere. After finding a free table without too much trouble, I went up to the bar to order.

There were only two people in front of me in the queue, but I was stood waiting for 10 minutes waiting for my turn – I’m not sure exactly what the delay was, but my patience started wearing thin when the server spent half that time serving a man a single pint of beer.

I put my frustrations aside when I got to the till and ordered myself the buttermilk fried chicken with sweet potato fries, a glass of Coke and a slice of carrot cake, costing around £18 – fortunately, that all went by without delay.

The buttermilk chicken came with coleslaw and katsu sauce, and we upgraded to sweet potato fries

I did make a mistake in my order, though. Having not read the menu thoroughly enough, I assumed what I ordered was a buttermilk chicken burger – but after I had sat back down it dawned on me that it was actually just a piece of buttermilk chicken. A large and nicely-dressed chicken nugget, more or less.

This isn’t really the sort of thing I’d choose normally, but the mistake was mine and I was not bothered enough to go up to the till and change my order, fearing another marathon queuing session.

The Coke was the first thing to arrive

So instead, I sat and I waited. And waited. And waited. The walls in Merletto Lounge are nicely decorated with flower prints and quirky artworks in frames in varying styles. The menu has funny pictures of middle-aged women in swimsuits and a reclining older gentleman in a yellow tuxedo.

The reason I became so well acquainted with the scenery is because I ran out of ways to entertain myself during the 50-minute wait for my food to arrive. Nearly an hour for my large chicken nugget and chips. I have been to other Loungers venues at busier times, and have never had to wait so long before.

The chips arrived in an enamel mug because... why not?

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When the food did arrive I enjoyed it very much. The chicken was tender and well-seasoned, arriving with a delicious katsu sauce. The sweet potato chips were salty, crispy and delightful. The Coke, which arrived a millennia before the food, was sweet and refreshing, really hitting the spot. And the carrot cake, while perhaps a little thin, was delicious. The cream cheese icing on the top was to die for.

This will probably sound like a bit of a moany review, but it’s not really. I’m giving Merletto Lounge a well-deserved four stars. I really liked it. The food was tasty, the staff were friendly and accommodating, the atmosphere was lively and the decor was fun.

Who doesn't love a bit of carrot cake?

Were it not for the pedestrian service, I’d happily give it five stars. I would not be surprised if the wait times were simply teething problems – new processes, or new staff, at an establishment that had barely been open a week when I came to visit.

Still, it was frustrating when I arrived expecting a brisk meal and left feeling quite a lot older.

Would I recommend Merletto Lounge? Absolutely. They have plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options spanning breakfast, lunch and dinner. But if you have an important appointment or meeting on the same day you are planning on visiting, you may want to arrive early – just in case.

4/5 stars