Cafe vs Cafe'

[LondonLogCo]

I'm partial to either, though the old school Cafe when done proper is hard to beat.

I'm not sure what wholly defines either, but if there's a copy of The Star, The Sun & "do you want chips with that" then it's definitely a Cafe you're in.

My favourite at the mo is The Oak in Honour Oak (a little outside ED I know, but worth the trip) & the one on Peckham Rye is good too.

Not many buggies in the HO one but plenty of arse crack on display from the builders that frequent.

Any hidden gems elsewhere worth a visit?

[ianr]

Control-Alt-e is your friend: ?

[MrBen]

Good topic. I see that "Johnnies" has now taken over the Lane Cafe on Lordship. Not sure if its the same owner/offering but it's reference to a US diner style thing on the signage reminded me of what happens when Cafes get gentrified.

Clapham had loads a long time ago but their nappy valley mainfare Northcote Road is now full of offerings with names like "Crumpet" and previously, "Boiled Egg and Soldiers". All offering organic sausage and free range eggs with a 30-40% uplift in price to reflect that.

[fishbiscuits]

Market Diner in Brighton. Home of the gut-buster (and mega-buster) breakfasts. Frequented by clubbers, coppers and shift workers in the small hours of the morning. It's not exactly the best food around, but it is an experience.

More locally... Rock Steady Eddie's has an interesting ambience.

[titch juicy]

a good old fashioned greasy spoon was ok back when i was a student and cared not for the quality of produce i was putting in my body- but frankly the food they serve is so cheap and so nasty; and there are so many decent breakfast cafe's in the area that there's no excuse any more

I'd much rather pay ?8 for a full breakfast that doesn't contain value sausages, value bacon and value beans than ?6 for one that does.

[Vik]

Crossroads Cafe in Bellenden Road, Huge portions and friendly staff.

[Otta]

There is a bnetter quality one on Datmouth Road opposite Forest Hill Pools. Still a Caff, but not so dirty.

[fishbiscuits]

Crossroads sounds good. Had too many breakfasts locally with one sausage, one bacon, one egg and a few beans (one place even put the beans in a silly little pot on the side). It's just not on. Quality of produce is one thing, but portion size and value are important too.

[kristymac1]

MrBen Wrote:

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> Good topic. I see that "Johnnies" has now taken

> over the Lane Cafe on Lordship. Not sure if its

> the same owner/offering but it's reference to a US

> diner style thing on the signage reminded me of

> what happens when Cafes get gentrified.

Still same staff and decent menu on offer, we like it in there, unpretentious, fairly prices and nice staff and decent food

[The Minkey]

Crossroads is one of my regular caff stops, as is the Cheltenham Cafe.

Rock Steady Eddie's has a very interesting ambience for sure, the cheapest place around for a bacon and egg sarnie and a cuppa.

My memories of Cafe on the Hill, Brixton Hill, back in the 90's are fond ones. Someone told me it's still going but whether it still does a dual full english/thai menu, I've no idea. They did a mean rhubarb crumble.

[Otta]

Rock Steady Eddie's has been there for ever. Very odd place.

[camberwell70]

Odd now.

[RosieH]

I love Rock Steady Eddie's - we used to arm wrestle Eddie for our breakfasts. We never won.

[LondonLogCo]

Oval plates

Plastic tomato sauce dispenser thingy

White handcut crusty bread

Mash put on the plate with an Icecream sco

Cherry pie & custard

Fixed seating

All available in Sals Elmers End, very nice indeed!

[Salsaboy]

2nd vote for Sals.

[DaveR]

The holy grail is the old school caff that doesn't skimp on the quality of the raw materials - decent eggs, bacon, sausages etc, but without the twee name and inflated prices. I used to live about 5 doors away from the Hercules Dining Rooms, on Hercules Street,just off Holloway Road - fantastic traditional London-Italian caff, mobbed out with builders and coppers, thick cut bacon in crusty rolls, home made pies, if you went in during Christmas week you got a glass of grappa......them were the days.

In ED I like the Plough Cafe and the one next door to the shoe shop on LL - being refurbed at the moment. But the best breakfast is at Franklins.

[Annette Curtain]

The Jasmine on Kirkdale SE26 is nice and close to my house.

It's run by a decent and friendly guy who takes care and pride in what he does. Mind you I always eat the same thing in there pretty much "vegetarian breakfast with bacon"

The thing about a good cafe is you can pretty much be left alone, no one really bothers you, no kids. Funnily it's one place where I feel I can truly relax, no tetchy service or staff usually.

There's a class thing too. A Cafe isn't so up tight entitled middle class, generally a less pushy punter - no crying babies too.

I usually take a late lunch, which means it's much quieter, peaceful even.

[Otta]

Jasmine is good, except the sausages, even for me who loves a rubbish sausage.

Chef's Delight on Sydenham High Street is great in a naff Star Burger way.

[Annette Curtain]

Blimey "Chef's Delight" is one place i've never dared to venture, reminds me of a poor man's Wimpy.

But one place that I used to go to was Hilltop (on the bridge by Sydenham station). The woman who worked in there could curdle milk with one look from her sour face. If you dared go in after 4:00 she'd give you the most withering look of distain, I'm getting a cold sweat on thinking about her.

But the food was good. Steak and Kidney Pudding, Stewed steak, Liver & bacon. All what we call "gravy dinners". Mind you it's been years since I've been in there.

I think that Sue's sour face did finally put me off.

[Otta]

Haha, we used to live on Station Approach, and used hilltop regularly. Sue became very friendly with us once she accepted we wouldn't be put off.

hef's Delight has been there for ever. The Wimpy comparison is one we've also used, but maybe you should try it one day, they have quite a good menu, and they are lovely. Lots of regulars go there (a status I have yet to achieve).

[maxxi]

The Court cafe on Newington Causeway (opposite the courthouse of course) - a good mix of gravy lunches and the usual fry-ups, an entertaining mixture of builders, cabbies, lawyers and the accuseds (sic).

[MrBen]

Anyone know of any caff that does proper chips ( as opposed to synthetic frozen bag of long thin potato paste)?

[civilservant]

Regency cafe Horseferry road - this and more at http://www.greasy-spoon-cafes.zoomshare.com/14.html

(this thread probably not the best place to mention today's news about the impact of caff-culture on British health outcomes http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21654536)

[The Minkey]

I don't see any relation to caff-culture, CS, however, smoking and drinking seem to figure quite highly.

With you Mr Ben on the proper chip thing. Don't think they exist in caffs any more.

[david_carnell]

civilservant Wrote:

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> Regency cafe Horseferry road - this and more at

> http://www.greasy-spoon-cafes.zoomshare.com/14.htm

> l

>

Seconded. Fab brekkies, lunches and puddings. Plus a woman with a voice like a fog-horn who shouts out your order when it's ready.