The first thing that strikes you when entering the Gerrards Cross Café Rouge on Station Road is - exactly that - it’s very ‘rouge’.

A recent refurbishment, which was completely in late January, has meant the interior is smartly painted with red window panels bordering French windows and vintage Vogue magazine covers hang on the walls.

My table, adjacent to the window, was one with bright red leather chairs which you sink into. A great opportunity for those who enjoy a spot of people watching.

Despite the fact that the restaurant is part of a chain – and a very successful one at that – they have made every effort to make it feel like an authentic French dining experience.

While, at the back end of February, I didn’t have the weather to match a Parisian suburb, the food would have had even the most picky ‘garcon’ nodding with content.

As well as the now look, Café Rouge has a new 'best of the best' menu which has got all the (French) bases covered.

Freshly baked baguettes can be followed with Steak Frites and a Tarte au Chocolat to finish.

They even do a ‘snack pot’ of three snails which are well-cooked and act as a great conversation-starter or ice-breaker for that nerve-wracking date.

To start, you could do a lot worse than try the deep-fried mussels – a dish I have not seen at restaurant before, French or otherwise.

But it works, no really. In fact I would go as far as to say it could even convert a few seafood sceptics to become ‘fruits de mer fanatics’.

The steak is – as you’d expect – well cooked and full of flavour. It comes with a generous portion of chips and a choice of accompanying sauces.

Don’t worry about a repeat of a previous French nightmare when an order of “à point” comes looking like it could get up and walk out. Here medium-rare comes medium-rare (phew).

Chocolate lovers will not be disappointed by the dessert menu either, although there is plenty of lighter options for those who - through no fault of their own - overdid it in the first two rounds.

Even during the week the restaurant still managed to attract a reasonable number of patrons, many of which appeared to know the restaurant and management well – a good sign indeed.

And who could blame them. Yes, you are never going to get a truly original experience at a Café Rouge, but the Gerrards Cross outlet certainly has its fair share of ‘je ne sais quoi’.