blandfords, chiltern street, w1
i was taken to blandfords by anne, she passes it a lot. it'd just been done-up on the outside. it's got a curious wallpaper/mural thing of a ship on the wall, the shot i took was all blurred so you won't see it. it's endorsed by ray davies from the kinks and someone else I can't remember.
the chips were lovely. a hint of crunchiness and a hint of browning. nice sauce. nice bit of bacon too, not a lot of it. beans were slightly suspect.
look at those piles of sliced bread packets, all ready to go in the glass cabinet by the counter.
nice cup of tea. shame about the kenco branded cups. i wonder if they're free.
apparently they get a lot of taxi drivers in there. makes sense.
I'm emailing from New Zealand. I was searching for information using Bethnall Green as the "trigger". My great grandparents came from the Bethnall Green/Stepney area. The paternal name was Blandford. I was wondering if there was any link to the name of your cafe? However I have checked in my (battered) London A -Z mapbook to see where exactly Chiltern St is, & I note that it is some distance from Stepney. Worth a shot though.
Regards
Keith Richardson
Posted by: Keith Richardson | April 29, 2004 at 10:05 AM
Would complete to have some photos of turds from each visit...doubt this is possible or tasteful but the last photo of a wiped plate just makes me think there's more that the author isn't showing us.
Posted by: Ben Sutton | June 16, 2004 at 07:42 PM
I know what you mean. I think that would take me into scary territory though. Plus you don't want to think about output, you want to concentrate on input.
Posted by: russell | June 16, 2004 at 09:28 PM
Your comments appeal directly to my sense of humour. And I am now going to do tour of your caffs. This is the best thing I have read in ages.
Chris Whyld
Actor & Geography Teacher
ps Try the Star Cafe on Whitechapel Road. It's my regualr Saturday Lunch Time Venue.
Posted by: Chris Whyld | July 05, 2004 at 12:03 PM
really glad you like the blog. let me know how the tour goes. and i'll definitely visit The Star. thanks for the tip.
Posted by: russell | July 11, 2004 at 09:00 PM
Russell,
The other celebrity is Gavin Rossendale(?) from the group Bush.
I've not been here yet, but will get to it soon as part of my trek through Adrian Maddox's gazetter of classic cafes. I've now become a cafe-spotter nerd!!!
Posted by: Patrick | October 19, 2004 at 06:03 PM
Sorry, Gavin Rossdale of Bush.
Posted by: Patrick | October 22, 2004 at 07:35 PM
Love your site. Only problem is, after looking at all your E B C B photos, I'm heading for the fridge.
Posted by: Donna | January 18, 2005 at 08:39 AM
On starting a new place of work, I always try and source the best caffs. Blandfords is very close to my current place of employment and I have to say I'm very disappointed. It is very overpriced (perhaps the celebrity factor has forced them to up prices?) and althought I've been there a few times to try and give them the opportunity to redeem themselves, food takes forever to arrive, generally warm/getting cold rather than hot, and frankly ungenerous portions. Sorry Blandfords, I had high hopes, but you just don't cut it....
Posted by: siobhan | January 21, 2005 at 02:59 PM
Saviour of our mornings. We just love the red 'Saoss'.
Posted by: TWHowarth | November 10, 2005 at 10:37 AM
Hi....does anyone know if Blandfords is still open? I am visiting London in 2 weeks and would love to have a fry-up here as it is very close to my hotel
Many Thanks
Posted by: Joanne Titcomb | September 21, 2007 at 01:53 AM