Anderson's Bellenden Road

[adventurer]

Meaning what exactly? that opening a cafe/deli with unfriendly staff is progress for the local residents?

[the-e-dealer]

You think so?

[Bellenden Belle]

Huguenot Wrote:

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> I thought that seemed like a reasoned and well

> thought-out critique. I'd want to hear that if I

> was the boss.

>

Probably not Huguenot, considering it is the boss herself who best fits the description "tight lipped and taciturn" and that's on a good day. Downright rude on other days.

[nikki73]

Been twice. Have felt unwelcome on both occasions. Service very poor and strained atmosphere. Big fan of petitou's. Friendly.

[adventurer]

theedealer tips aside, Americans are more courteous and I'm sure my grievance is terribly amusing and self important but I don't care.

[KatsuQueen]

I really like this place. Adventurer, I think I know what you mean but I personally hate all that "TGIF" pally with the customers business. I just want to sit, drink coffee and eat cake. Must admit I winced when I read that you would like to see a black face, or some Europeans and American staff.

Uh Oh have I just fed a troll??!!

[adventurer]

why did you wince exactly? what is this edwardian London?...did you drop your lace handkerchief?

Why are white middle class people so afraid to touch upon the subject of race and integration, yet feel it's ok to post a picture of a black and white minstrel?.

[Jeremy]

I'm not afraid to touch upon the subject of race and integration, I just didn't agree with your suggestion of tokenism.

[*Bob*]

Would it be possible to get a representative of the Slavic peoples working in there, I wonder?

I've always found them to be so very good with coffee.

[the-e-dealer]

Little Green Men . Very good baristas!

[LondonMix]

Exactly. The tone made people of other cultures and races seem like a kind of exotic decorative element of the store. The place could do with some quirky chairs and few black people to liven it up! An Italian behind the bar would add just the right touch of je ne sais quoi!! Just odd...

Jeremy Wrote:

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> I'm not afraid to touch upon the subject of race

> and integration, I just didn't agree with your

> suggestion of tokenism.

[the-e-dealer]

Surely you would need a Frenchman for je ne sais quoi.

[El Pibe]

Oh I dunno, a surly teenager surely.

[*Bob*]

An Australian, fresh off the boat, would do wonders for the place.

Preferably wearing some sort of shell necklace and sporting an unusually high ear-piercing.

[the-e-dealer]

Hello Mate I got me Dunny in the Camper.

[LondonMix]

I'm no expert on decorating with people so I am bound to make this sort of faux pas. There must be course or something someone can take!

the-e-dealer Wrote:

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> Surely you would need a Frenchman for je ne sais

> quoi.

[Ted Max]

They're alright in there. They don't pretend to be your best mate and I think the lead lady is not a natural at the unforced pretend intimacy have-a-hug thing, so goes for business-like instead. But they mean well, I think.

I do agree that they can leave you standing at the counter like a lemon while they complete the previous order, but it's not the worst thing in the world. I want ham and pie, not affirmation that my personality brings joy to those who are giving me things for money.

[titch juicy]

*too much money

[Gidget]

The owner's name is Lisa. Yes, the coffee is expensive, but cakes are ace. The service is better than it was just after they opened. And, for the record, not everyone in there is white European looking.

[Ted Max]

Are you their PR, or something, Gidget?

(I have reported your post)

[Gidget]

Hardee har har.....Hardly, if I have previously written a post about them having very expensive coffee......the cake is the same price as the coffee!

[the-e-dealer]

Yawn. My post still hasn't arrived.

[charliecharlie]

I have always found the staff in there really nice and friendly, I pop in there for a treat every now and then... 'tight lipped' is so far from my experience of the place that I am wondering if we are even talking about the same place!!!!

and their cakes are genius

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gl7gDUD7GEU/T60CHvGFhJI/AAAAAAAAHaY/6v1iQxEOwEM/s1600/Cake+Genius+Cookbook+cover.jpg

[mrcee]

It's from trying a cake there that I found http://www.indulgemysweettooth.com/where-to-indulge.html who makes the cakes for them. The cakes are very good.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

The meringues are top notch. Never had a problem with staff but I've only been a handful of times.