i used to work as a dispatch rider in london and went to hundreds of cafes and i've seen some of my old faves on your website. i wonder if you can help me find a real gem.... it was a small cafe run by an ex-boxer in his late 50's and had old b&w photos of boxers/fights/promo posters all over the place and i mean from skirting boards to ceilings. the food was good but the character of the place and the people there was awesome. all i can remember is that it was in it's own small building in the greenwich area on a desolate industrial estate. it'd be great to re-visit or see a review cheers and thanks for all that dedicated eating
It may be too far out of the west end for you, but I have a haven of greasy spooned-ness at the end of my road. YORK CAFE on Woolwich Road is clean, friendly and with proper chips. It is even licensed I think. Give it a go!
TJ's Cafe in mortlake sw14 open seven days a weeks, big portions!! cheap. you should definatley visit this place won the "best greasy spoon" in london award 2003
Russell how come we have not seen you at our cafe you are missing a treat. We serve the best all day breakfast in the North West We cater for everyone also we are in the process of taking on the title of the Ace Cafe of the Midlands Regards Lynn & Pete.
May I heartily recommend Sues Cafe in Gillingham Road, Gillingham, Kent (almost opposite the Arriva Bus Depot). Great food, great tea............very good prices for such good quality breakfasts and dinners.
The mess in Hackney is much nicer (and admittedly middle classer) than it's local counterparts (nice sausage rather than pig's bum). Some say it's better than Mario's... Alt for a good proper greasy spoon Dilari's on the corner of Mare Street is pretty good. Packed out every lunchtime and they have a non-smoking side of the room. Finally, if you live near Ealing and you've never been to Starvin' Marvins you're missing out. I was cautiously eating my breakfast with the pancake and maple syrup on one side and the bacon and eggs and hash brown on the other. Then absentmindedly I stabbed a bit of bacon onto the end of my syrupy pancaked-up fork… It's manna from lardarse heaven.
I love yr book and website. I have never commented on one or a blog before as I dont know how to. My son got this space for me. I am trying to get info on my favourite old cafe, The Blue Sky, by corner of Westbourne Grove and Chepstow Rd,London W2, between PAddington and Portobello Rd, which was my home from home from 1974-80.I lived in various squats and flats nearby and hung out with various groovy people in those days.... It closed down a few years ago. I wld love to get photos and the name/address of the lovely Irish waitress and Italian boss.... I have tried the Archives at Westminster City Library but no luck. I am doing a Ceramics degree as a v mature student and want to do an installation recreating a table at it, the light coming thru steamy bright plateglass windows, the smells, food, china,plastic menus, etc etc. I have assembled a load of stuff (tables, chairs etc),but they are not perfect. I wonder if you have any ideas on where I cld borrow/hire perfect stuff in one fell swoop, for a few days in early Jan 07? Most of all I want to get hold of a tape/CD of cafe background noises. Any ideas? Many thanks, Emma
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This is a lovely place. Not an architectural or decorative wonder, but incredibly friendly and welcoming. You can sit for hours and nurse a cup of tea and watch the neighbourhood call in. There's flowers and light and a lovely couple who run the place.
Traffic wardens are a great sign of a good cafe. They know them all, they're always looking for friendly refuge, they appreciate value. Find a traffic warden and you'll find a good place. I'm all for traffic wardens.
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I first came across this place one dark, wet evening in November 1983, when it looked pretty much as shown here. I was surprised to find it, as it seemed out of place even then. The next occasion was about 12 years later, when again, nothing had changed. Prompted by your web-site, I visited the place several weeks ago, only to find that it is in the process of being refurbished. Still, at least you caught the "Bon Appetit" in its original state.
Posted by: Patrick Turland | September 18, 2004 at 11:55 PM
I walked past this Sunday morning.
The place was closed, but appears to have been been transformed into a more upmarket type of restaurant.
Posted by: Patrick | October 17, 2004 at 05:18 PM
Got the "egg" website from the metro with he yahoo thing in, its a really cute site, any plans for an east of scotland review? ps. i have voted for you
Posted by: Jen | January 08, 2005 at 12:52 AM
thanks Jen. There's some east scottish places in hear somewhere. But there need to be more. Maybe this summer. Unless you want to contribute...?
Posted by: russell | January 10, 2005 at 08:47 AM
This place is now an Italian restaurant called Cleveland Kitchen. Shame.
Posted by: Ellen | December 30, 2005 at 11:38 PM
Hi all,,,found bon appetite on cleveland street when we were looking for something else,,however it provoked a memory..i lived next door to sams cafe..many a hangover was cured with his early morning fry ups..boy gearge still had an unpaid tab there when i left(the sun said so ..so it must be true)he basically squated in the house behind us,,,jeeez and im now a mortgage broker,,haha anyways any info/pics would great fun.
Posted by: dave | October 18, 2006 at 08:45 PM