Classic London Cafes We Love by Louise Cuckow

Photos by Louise Cuckow (Sweetpea Home) & Dan Kircher

While living in London my good friend Nicola and I made it our mission to visit as many ‘classic caffs’ or ‘greasy spoons’ as possible. In a way it was our little protest against all the big chain cafes that fill every corner of London. These cafes are English design classics like the diner is to America. With Formica tabletops and serving basic fare like eggs, sausages and chips or a made-to-order sandwich with a vanilla milkshake or tea, they are a slice of post-war Britain. There are a few worthy of mention. My favorite is the gorgeous Paul Rothe and Son. From outside this cafe looks like a chocolate box 1920’s corner store with jam jars stacked high in the windows. Inside it has the compulsory Formica tables and at the counter you can create your own sandwich.

The Gambardella, which appears on the ‘Classic Cafes Top 10′ is a bit out of the way but worth a visit for its moulded plywood revolving chairs and delicious vanilla milkshakes. These ‘caffs’ are endangered species and sadly the New Piccadilly, an icon of this style, shut recently. The little cafe hidden away in a Soho back street had a completely original interior, it was Formica fabulous with booth seats and a plastic horseshoe menu on the wall. I was also lucky enough to visit Brooks Sandwich bar before it closed.

Ideally positioned behind Claridges, Gordon Ramsey had apparently enjoyed a poached egg on toast there from time to time. Because most of these places are only open during the day (some only on week days) the Golden Hind is a good option for an evening of fish and chips (some of the best in town).

http://www.classiccafes.co.uk

Louise Cuckow
Louise Cuckow is the designer and creator of Sweetpea Home who now lives and works in her little house with a big garden in New Zealand. But for the past few years she lived and worked in London as a magazine Art Director, this enabled her to have lots of travel adventures! Sweetpea Home was started on her return to New Zealand. She collaborated with Karen Walker on a range which is in now available around the world. This includes dolls clad in Karen Walker outfits, a lucky racehorse, apple shaped ‘Apple Of My Eye’ cushions and a three piece owl family. Each piece is carefully handmade and comes with its own personality and story; Olive Owl for instance is “a spelling bee queen who enjoys the weeklies”. Sweetpea Home is inspired by the hand craft traditions of our past, when items were made to be treasured. Louise wanted the creations to appeal to everyone young at heart.