Full English?

Etienne and I met for breakfast the other morning. He's been telling me about the "Regency Cafe" (17-19 Regency St, SW1) and how it's right up my alley....how right he was!

Estd. 1946 it really doesn't appear to have changed since that date. Creamy yellow tiles (one of those wonderful post-war colours like that dirty green with lots of grey in it, or rose with the same greyish lustre), red lino and formica tables, I couldn't believe I've not been here before.

Great breakfast menu...including bubble and squeak and black pudding!.....and the portions are ENORMOUS! My dinner the night before had consisted of humous and crackers and Etienne hadn't eaten at all as he fell asleep at 7pm and didn't wake until 8am (we lead very exciting lives!) so we both would've eaten a scabby donkey if it was arranged on a plate....but look at the spread! This is mine; scramble, bubble and squeak, mushrooms and tomatoes with a side of toast:

And Etienne's; frieds eggs, bacon, beans, tomato and a bit of my bubble and squeak with white toast:

Here he is about to attack!

We went for a wander around the area, alot of which seems unchanged for many years, there's a beautiful little 1950s launderette and I had a rummage in the local charity shop and came out the undisputed winner! I found a John Sex 12 inch which I saw him perform on a documentary about the New York underground scene and NEVER thought I would actually own, a Vicky Carr live album which has a genius spanish medley on it, and Frankie Vaughan 7 inch of Cabaret!!! All for the princely sum of £1.50!!!! Actually it was only a pound because the charming man serving me gave me 50p back!!! (Maybe he could sense my financial crisis!). I was so excited to get to the George and Dragon to spin my new tunes later that night!

So now Etienne and I have decided we're going to meet regularly for breakfast dates! There are so many wonderful cafes we want to try - any suggestions welcome! - and it's a meal out for around a fiver so you can't go wrong really. Maybe we could make it a Breakfast Club? Anyone coming?

Cheers!


Madame x

Meet Geffrye!

You probably already have, and I'm just reaaaalllly slow on the uptake, but I went with some friends to the Geffrye Museum on Kingsland Road for the first time on Sunday. It's a museum built within 18th century almshouses, and has a series of rooms typical of times through history from 1600 to today. I always loved this kind of thing as a kid, straining against the rope wanting to run amok and fiddle with the display...and the boys were the same! Find out more here

We actually wanted to find somewhere to eat and Nuno suggested the Geffrye, and as Duke, Joe and I wandered past the Vietnamese restaurants feeling more and more peckish, we were suddenly surprised to come upon this picturesque scene, lush with greenery little u-shape of quaintness and quiet! It has to be said that it is the last thing on earth you would expect to come across on Kingsland Road which is quite maingy in places and not exactly pretty, but there it is, a little island of calm and beauty with amazingly friendly staff considering the sound velocity of my companions! In fact, when we met up with Lili, Cassia, Nuno and little Nicholas the excitement was bouncing off the walls somewhat and the waiter came over, I was expecting him to ask me to keep the dudes under control but he just smiled "good for developing the lungs!" - what an angel!....

There was loads for the kids to do....even Nuno had a little doodle...

I wonder if he's seen any of that kinky Smurf stuff on YouTube Nathaniel was telling me and Jasmine about the other night?

After we ate we took a stroll around the Victorian herb garden at the back of the museum which was a revelation, I kept having to remind myself I was on ropey old Kingsland Road....

We got kicked out at closing time so made our own entertainment on the grass out front for an hour or so...Joe made up some dance routines which we were ordered to copy....

...which was seriously great fun, then Duke did some magic tricks with berries he'd collected....

In fact we spent all day outdoors from 11am - 10pm (bit late considering school started the next morning) but we were having so much fun it seemed criminal to end it...lots of early nights this week to make up for it, and with the rain teaming down ever since I'm glad we didn't waste a beautiful day! Actually today promises better things, maybe we'll get that picnic at the weekend after all.....

Madame xx