London Caffs

From the 1940s to the 1960s, London catering was taken over by waves of (often Italian) immigrants. The boom coincided with the first wave of interest in modern design in Britain, inspired by the Festival of Britain. New materials including vinyl and formica, found their way into the new workers′ caffs along with gleaming chrome machinery to produce ′frothy coffee′ and huge quantities of tea.

London Caffs is a document of a fast–disappearing London archetype, the workers′ caff, or greasy spoon. It features over thirty establishments with original contemporary fittings, which are still functioning today. The book is lavishly illustrated with evocative photography, specially commissioned from architectural photographer Sue Barr. Each caff is accompanied by anecdotal texts, which pick up on atmosphere and context, as well as design details. Under each entry, the address and nearest tube of the caff is listed, providing an essential guide to the best caffs in London. The scene is set by Edwin Heathcote in the introduction, where he examines the phenomenon of the caff and why it has constituted such a pivotal space in London life.

Foreword.

Introduction.

SOHO.

WEST LONDON.

Half Moon Cafe.

Peterborough Cafe.

P. George Snack Bar.

River Cafe.

WEST END & CENTRAL LONDON.

The New Piccadilly.

Bloomsbury Restaurant.

Da Giovanni.

Euro Sandwich Bar.

Johns Sandwich Bar.

Lino′s.

Sandwich Bar.

Mama′s.

Perdoni′s.

Metropolitan Cafè.

PIMLICO.

The Regency.

Wilton Snack Bar.

ISLINGTON.

Alpino.

S&M.

CLERKENWELL & CITY.

Andrews.

Barbican Grill.

Beppe′s.

The Copper Grill.

Farina′s.

Golden Fish Bar.

Muratori.

Piccolo Sandwich Bar.

Regis Snack Bar.

Rosa′s.

Scotti′s Snack Bar.

The Shepherdess.

Vernasca.

EAST LONDON.

L Rodi.

Pellicci′s.

Typology.

Biographies.

Edwin Heathcote is an architect and writer living and working in London. He writes on architecture for the Financial Times as well as other specialist architectural and design journals, and is the author of several books. During his collaboration with Wiley–Academy, he has published Cinema Builders and guest–edited Furniture and Architecture, an issue of Architectural Design. He is also a founder and director of design company izé.

Sue Barr is a photographer and tutor at the Architectural Association in London. Her work has been featured in numerous international journals and publications, including Icon and Architectural Design. A regular collaborator of Wiley–Academy, Sue Barr′s photography appears in Barbican: Penthouse over the City and in the forthcoming 70s House, both by David Heathcote.

goes beyond the Formica to show the greasy spoon as an architectural marvel   (Esquire, October 04)

this book celebrates their survival and urges you to visit while you may (Delicious, November 04)

forget skinny mochas what we really want is double egg and chips (Olive, November 2004)

fine and long overdue book. With lovingly framed photos and reverential descriptions (Sportladsmag.com, November 04)

  ...Buy this wonderful book featuring some of the UK s oldest, most famous and salubrious greasy spoons... (The Big Issue No 614, 25 October 04)

a sympathetic and affectionate survey Sue Barr s excellent photography captures the decaying sadness of these establishments (Blueprint, November 04) 

a handy, pocket–size guide and shameless ode to the fading Formica world of the great metropolis   (Instant; Café Culture Lifestyle Edinburgh, November, December 2004) 

Owl staff love this feast of stylish, down–at–heel but always authentic, greasy spoons. Independent on Sunday Box Office Hit List top ten as provided by The Owl Bookshop in Kentish Town. 24th April 2005