Eat at the Red Art Cafe Bar

Your author doesn't often pass through Dalston nowadays, conscious of lacking the haircut or trousers to fit in, but the other week he spent a perfectly pleasant evening in a couple of bars and restaurants in the area, and had a good feed at the Red Art Cafe Bar.


Found at 113 Kingsland Road, kit is a place that seems to specialise in Turkish food and drink, with a decent menu and plenty to keep the vegetarians who also dined happy. It all seemed jolly pleasant, and your author would go back even since discovering a rather low food hygiene rating from the local council.

For more, see http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/red-art-cafe-bar-london

Eat at the Roundwood Park Cafe

Despite some rather odd happenings in the past, the cafe in the lodge in Roundwood Park, North London, is a pleasant spot for a quick cup of tea or bite to eat, and a good place to escape the sort of showers we had yesterday.


Today, the forecast looks brighter, which means the young noiseboxes might even get to use the neighbouring children's play area whilst their minders tuck into sandwiches, reasonably priced teas, and plates of delicious noodles.

For more, see http://www.brent.gov.uk/pks.nsf/Parks/LBB-61

Eat at Pimlico Fresh

A decent if slightly pricey little cafe in Pimlico, Pimlico Fresh is a popular lunch spot for those who work in the vicinity of Victoria railway station.


As the name suggests, a range of fresh food and drinks are served, and at busy lunchtimes it can be difficult to find a seat inside, though there are a number of seats on the street if the weather is right.

For more, see http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/venue/2%3A27125/pimlico-fresh

Have lunch at Wesley's Cafe

Whilst your author regularly hears a complaint from visitors that there is nowhere to eat in Westminster, there are in fact quite a few places, though some of them are rather more hidden than others. Though it certainly isn't gastronomic, Wesley's Cafe, in the bowels of Westminster Central Hall, is a functional place to get a bite to eat and a cup of tea without breaking the bank.


The cafe is popular at lunchtime, but refreshingly for this part of town there are enough seats so that when your author dropped in yesterday it was busy but there were plenty of tables free. Thankfully a school group decided to leave just after your author arrived, as well, making lunch a more peaceful experience.

The cafe is open daily until 4pm and the daily lunch special is £4.99. It's just a shame about the UHT milk. For more, see http://www.c-h-w.com/wesleys-cafe/

Eat at Leila's

Found on Cavert Avenue, a relative backstreet near Arnold Circus in Shoreditch, Leila’s Shop and Cafe offers rustic food to eat in and out.


Whilst we are told that Alexa Chung and Pixie Geldof sometimes visit, that is no reason to be put off, and we shouldn't let it stop us sampling the honest offerings and simple surroundings which can be found in this cafe & shop.

For more, see http://www.londontown.com/LondonInformation/Business/Leilas/df5b/

Eat at Maison Bertaux

Founded in 1871 by Parisian communard refugees, Maison Bertaux on Greek Street in Soho was one of the first French patisseries in London, and bills itself as London’s oldest (and best) patisserie.


Known for its cakes, croissants and pastries, baked daily on the premises and served with freshly brewed tea and coffee, it's understandably a little more expensive than your local Greggs, but is worth it for an authentic Soho experience.

For more, see http://www.maisonbertaux.com/

Have coffee and cake at the Ragged Canteen

A pleasant space for tea and a snack before tackling the art upstairs, the Ragged Canteen is part of Beaconsfield gallery in Lambeth and takes its name from the former Lambeth Ragged School in which the centre is based.


Open on weekends from 11am – 4pm during exhibition periods, it's a very cosy and relaxed place, which is only ever a problem when it comes to ordering or trying to pay your bill.

For more, see http://beaconsfield.ltd.uk/cafe/

Eat at the Queensbury Deli

A sister establishment to fairly-standard-upmarket-North-London-pub the Queensbury, the Queensbury Deli is a fairly-standard-upmarket-North-London-cafe with a healthy patronage by Willesden Green's middle classes, and a decent place sort of place for a cup of tea and a piece of cake on a cold winters afternoon.


They also do nice sandwiches, and a range of salads and other deli items, all served with a smile, and can even produce bespoke cupcakes if that's your sort of thing. They also sell teas, cordials, wines and (in answer to any questions you might have about the possibility of noisemakers during weekday mornings) baby food.

For more, see http://www.queensburydeli.co.uk

Eat at the Garden Café

Part of the Garden Museum at Lambeth Palace, the Garden Café is a relaxing spot to while away a few hours, and offers seasonal food, as well as drinks and cakes baked in house.


The Cafe spreads itself between the inside of the museum and the interesting knot garden which, whilst not at its most impressive in winter months, still offers a sheltered spot to try to soak up some winter sunshine.

For more, see http://www.gardenmuseum.org.uk/page/caf

Have coffee in the Brunel Museum cafe

During a trip to the Brunel Museum this week, your author enjoyed fantastic hospitality and a welcome & warming cup of coffee in the recently refurbished cafe.


Alongside tea, coffee and home-made cakes, the café also serves as a gallery, hosting exhibitions by talented local artists and photographers, and is a welcome addition to a museum well worthy of visiting.

For more, see http://www.brunel-museum.org.uk/VisitUs/Cafe.aspx

Drop in to Drink, Shop & Do

Your author really couldn't care less what is 'cool' any more, but there is something very pleasing about the way Drink, Shop & Do, on Caledonian Road near Kings Cross, combines style and a trend towards doing more craft and making things.


Your author dropped in the other night for the launch of London Remembers, and was impressed with the style of the place, based in a Victorian bath house in an area close enough to the Guardian to get noticed.

It's firmly aimed at the twee-girl-with-cash market, but it's just nice to see someone making a bit of an effort at this sort of thing, when so many would claim it was impossible to create something so nice. It is great to see a focus on new designers, and handmade products and desirable gifts living in harmony with a relaxed cafe bar.

For more, see http://drinkshopdo.com

Have tea at Brockwell Hall

Grade II* Listed Brockwell Hall has been Brockwell Park's cafe for more than a century, and still serves all comers from its spot on the summit of a hill, looking South East towards Dulwich and Sydenham.


The Hall was, we are told Brockwell Hall designed by architect D.R. Roper, and completed in 1813 as the home of glass maker John Blades, sitting at the centre of a grand park estate.

In 1888, the estate was acquired by London County Council from a subsequent owner, to open to the public as a park, and Brockwell Hall first opened as a Refreshment House in 1892.

For more information, see http://www.brockwellpark.com/BHall/BHall.htm

Drink tea in a Stable

The Karmarama Café at the Orleans House Gallery, in Twickenham, is a lovely spot for a drink or a bite to eat and is found in the former North Stable block of Orleans House.


As we have examined previously, the house was built in the 18th century, by Secretary of State for Scotland James Johnston, and was eventually demolished in 1926. The remaining buildings protected by a subsequent owner who left them to the borough when she died in 1962, she left the property and her art to the Borough.

The Café is open Wednesday - Sunday from 10:30am until 5pm. It's not cheap, but there are some decent bits and pieces available, and it's a lovely setting. For more, see http://www.richmond.gov.uk/orleans_house_gallery

Visit Peter de Wit's Cafe

Established in 1988 by Jane and Peter de Wit, Peter de Wit's is a small family-run cafe in the centre of Greenwich.


The cafe serves as an traditional English breakfasts-and-sandwiches cafe during the daytimes, priding itself on free range eggs, local sausages and local beer, and in the winter season also has Jazz nights which sadly only last from September to June. We shall return to them later in the year.

For more, see http://www.peterdewitscafe.co.uk/

Dine at Marie's Cafe

Marie's Cafe, on Lower Marsh beside Waterloo Station, is a fantastic little cafe which apparently serves ordinary greasy spoon fare during the day, and Thai Food at night time.

Your author has only ever been in the evening, admittedly rather late on a Thursday, but the Thai food was very reasonably priced and served quickly and efficiently, so he would recommend it.

For more information, and some reviews, see http://www.qype.co.uk/place/139430-Maries-Cafe-London

Dine at Cafe Boheme

Situated on Old Compton Street in Soho, and operated by Soho House, Cafe Boheme is a pretty little French Bistro which is a very pleasant place to spend an hour or so, escaping from - but keeping an eye on - the hustle and bustle outside.


Your author popped in to catch up with a good friend recently, and took advantage of the three course pre-theatre menu for £15.50, and was very well looked after by the excellent staff.

It is a very attractive spot, operating in the same location since 1992, and offering Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and best of all a special 'After Midnight' menu, as well as live jazz every weekend.

For more information, see http://www.cafeboheme.co.uk

Have breakfast at Pellicci's

A classic cafe in every sense, E. Pellici's is a celebrated cafe at 332 Bethnal Green Road, E2, which has since 2005 been Grade II listed by English Heritage.


The cafe combines a greasy spoon with classic Italian cafe, with pastries and an Italian menu on offer, all served in a space created by carpenter Achille Capocciin in 1946.

The history of the cafe dates back further than that, however, and it has been run by the Pellicci since 1900, and with the late Nevio Pellicci passing away in 2005, it is now in the hands of Maria Pellicci.

Past visitors have included Dizzee Rascal, David Schwimmer, Su Pollard and anyone who has ever been on Eastenders, as well as, obviously, the Krays.

For more information, try http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article5320868.ece

Experience the awful service at Cafe Churchill

Right at the heart of touristland, at 49 Parliament Street, in Westminster, Cafe Churchill is a fascinating place. Obviously not worried about attracting repeat customers, the staff are amazingly abrupt, and prices for average food are inflated to the point that very few of the thousands of civil servants who work within a few hundred metres ever go back.


On one occasion, sitting in a completely empty downstairs area with friends for lunch, your author was asked to move to a smaller table, which he did. He ate at the new table, as his original one, and all others remained entirely vacant, and left before a single new customer had entered the room.

Your author doesn't want readers to think that he is annoyed with the Cafe at all, in fact he has been back fairly often, and finds the bizarre attitude of those who work there oddly endearing, but he wouldn't want people to misunderstand, and take this as a recommendation.

Even the student rioters seem to have taken it, graffiting the awning with the word 'revolution' during a recent protest, perhaps in an attempt to get the staff to notice them.

For more on Cafe Churchill, try clicking here.

Pop into church.co.uk

As the church struggles to keep up with the modern world, it was inevitable really, and in 2003, Christ Church & Upton Chapel in Lambeth decided to rename itself church.co.uk.


Though the original Christ Church was largely destroyed during the Second World War, and Upton Chapel was completely wiped off the map, the current modern building was rebuilt in 1960, and the original spire of Christ Church remains.

Following the Second World War, the church operated without a base for some time. Because of this, the decision was taken to unite the two churches, and today, they operate as a normal church, also offering a home to the Hub Coffee House which serves decent soups and other snacks from 8am to 4pm on weekdays.

The remaining spire itself has an interesting story having been donated by the family of Abraham Lincoln in recognition of the support given by the church in the battle for the emancipation of the slaves in North America. For it was here, a short walk from the Houses of Parliament, that William Wilberforce and friends held many of their anti-slavery meetings.

For more information, visit http://church.co.uk/

Have tea at the Oxleas Wood Cafe

Your author asked the other day for some recommendations of places to cover in the Christmas period, and one which came up, courtesy once again of IanVisits was the Oxleas Wood Cafe in at the top of Shooters Hill in South London. It is, apparently a great cafe, with panoramic views Southwards towards of the Kent borders.


On the edge of the 77 hectare Oxleas Wood, which is apparently around 8,000 years old, it has been run by Mario Le Voci for around 10 Years, with a new cafe opening in July 2007.

Your author isn't quite sure if it is even open today, so readers should telephone in advance. For more information, see http://oxleawoodcafe.info/

_{^Picture © Elsie Esq used under Creative Commons^}