The Diner

This café is supposed to sell ‘pie & mash’
I was delighted when I saw a leaflet saying that this establishment was serving traditional pie & mash.
Traditional my ar*e, whats traditional about taking a pie, some mash and putting it in a microwave, I declined and didn’t get as far as asking if they serve ‘liquor’ with it.
I’ve been all over London eating in traditional pie & mash shops for 30 years and this microwaved rubbish they sell is an insult.
I did decide to stay for a coffee, don’t ask me why as I wish I hadn’t, my god I wish I hadn’t.
I should have realised by the half empty plates with dried up food left on the majority of the tables what I was letting myself in for.
I ordered a cafetiere and I must have been the first person ever to do so as it weak as Nat’s pee, you could see directly through it, the windows were darker than my coffee, I did decide to let it stand for a few minutes before pouring and boy it tasted worse than it looked, I did look for the nearest plant to spit it out but alas had to swallow it.
Never ever again.

I used to live just around the corner from this place, and it was always a favourite with me for breakfast or lunch. Out running today I happened to pass it again, and decided to take myself in there for a quick cup of reviving post-​exercise tea.
It’s a lovely, old fashioned place serving proper traditional Britsh food. Take away 60 years and little would have changed — the décor is simple and unpretentious, white walls and wood tables, .but very clean. Come here for breakfasts, pies and proper stodgy puddings, served with a smile and with speed.
There is on — welcome — concession to modernity too, in the form of aq few internet terminals.