Missing Gissing (cont'd)

[french frank]

You're right about Skoob Books, french frank - before sliding up to Bloomsbury Centre it was in the charming Sicilian Avenue

Ah, yes! Sicilian Avenue - with my favourite sandwich bar at the end . That solves that mystery!

[amateur51]

Ah, yes! Sicilian Avenue - with my favourite sandwich bar at the end . That solves that mystery!

Was it called Munchies or somesuch? Loads of oranges in the window and comfy wooden bench-type seating inside?

[MrGongGong]

Was it called Munchies or somesuch? Loads of oranges in the window and comfy wooden bench-type seating inside?

i think you mean the Saffron Cafe, great Falafel and mint tea
used to be the favourite of the Philharmonia office when it was in Holborn

[amateur51]

i think you mean the Saffron Cafe, great Falafel and mint tea
used to be the favourite of the Philharmonia office when it was in Holborn

All of a sudden the name Pippins is bouncing around in my head

Mmmm falafel, hot in pitrta with salad, hummus & lots of chilli sauce There was a lovely Middle Eastern veggie caff in lower part of Wardour Street (opp the old Swiss Centre) that delivered the goods felafel-wise for years but it is now long gone. Gaby's on Charing Cross Road picked up the baton for a while but truth be told I don't totter round that part of London much these dats

Any other recommendations from felafel fans? - I hope this is not too far OT, french frank?

[french frank]

I hope this is not too far OT, french frank?

Yes, it is . The sandwich bar is (was? ) called Onion, on the corner with Southampton Row. Yes, piles of oranges, freshly-made sandwiches and, to finish, a florentine and coffee. It altered a bit when it changed hands (I think, anyway, new people serving) but still one of the best places for having a tasty snack that didn't fill you up for supper later on.

[amateur51]

Yes, it is . The sandwich bar is (was? ) called Onion, on the corner with Southampton Row. Yes, piles of oranges, freshly-made sandwiches and, to finish, a florentine and coffee. It altered a bit when it changed hands (I think, anyway, new people serving) but still one of the best places for having a tasty snack that didn't fill you up for supper later on.

That's the place

[MrGongGong]

That's the place

aha I know that one as well
not as great as the Olympic cafe in Lower Marsh though
full of the SBC technicians and musicians (a bit like Diwana used to be)

[french frank]

I started going to Onion back in the Old British Library days (old library, that is). And there was a great eatery called Oodles, just down, possibly, Coptic Street but now replaced by somewhere less interesting.

The Euston Road probably has somewhere good that I haven't yet found to save one from the BL's offering (was Prue Leith, now not but similar). I can understand touristy places like the BM, Tate and V&A having expensive eating arrangements but I do wish the BL at least catered for pennyless scholars. Not that there seem to be as many of those as there used to be ...

Now in Gissing's day ...

[amateur51]

For cheapish lunchtime treats I sometimes repair to The Skinner's Arms in Judd Street, french frank, which does reasonable ale & pub fare or to the unprepossessing Indian resto next door which offers a 3 course lunchtime bargain special at £4.95 I think.

Once inside it is blessedly quiet, clean and you get a good welcome. The third course is coffee and an After Eight choccymint but the starter & mains are quite imaginative, well cooked & presented and while not ginormous portions, they'll fill you up nicely for another couple of hours of literary/historical detective work