Friday 25 March 2011

Unexpected Alphabets No 15

Wandering around Islington on Wednesday evening I chanced upon this cafe in Essex Road. I am now relieved to know that 'S&M' stands for 'Sausage & Mash', having initially thought that a cappacino might be accompanied by a good thrashing. Or, tantalisingly withheld. But what of course really took my attention was that lovely panel advertising ices at post war (or even pre war) prices. And that marvellous mosaic entrance with 'refreshments' underfoot. I'd bring all my luncheon vouchers here.

13 comments:

Vinogirl said...

Ah, but the old, familiar LV sticker has been usurped by that really ugly Wi-Fi sticker!

Jon Dudley said...

Phew! a nifty intervention to stem the Minor madness. Thank goodness this shoppy stuff still exists...just seen a fine old fascia revealed on a shopfront in Rottingdean whilst preparing to apply some garish confection over the top. Scrape away the layers and a lot are still there. Mosaics are fortunately more difficult to erase so there quite a few around. Lovely lettering in the window.

Peter Ashley said...

Mosaics are good. Thanks to it appearing to be impervious to easy eradication, there's still a Hepworth's in Dartmouth. See my Everyman Pocket Book Letters from England.

Sue Imgrund said...

mmmm...conjures up thoughts of toasted teacakes, scones and fish paste sandwiches.

The Vintage Knitter said...

I especially like those chrome window frame strips too. Isn't it brilliant that the sign and the mosaic doorstep are still in-situ after possibly suffering the ravages of WWII and those post-war shopfitters.

Bucks Retronaut said...

Does the replacement of the Luncheon Voucher sticker by the WiFi one mean that Madame Cynthia Payne is alive, well, and plying her trade in cyberspace these days ?

Peter Ashley said...

Bucks: Yes

Philip Wilkinson said...

Wonderful place, this. And I could just do with a threepenny ice.

TIW said...

Ah, this is the caff that I used to know as Alfredo's when I lived down the road in 1992. Back then it was mostly famous for being the coffee bar in Quadrophenia. It was boarded up for at least a year before it became the first S&M, after Alfredo (or his kids) jacked it in.

Peter Ashley said...

Thanks TIW, just the sort of info I need. Oddly enough, I was going on about Quadrophenia to my 13 year old only today, he having just bought a best of The Who CD.

Ron Combo said...

Quadrophenia, now there's an album. Top 3 for me, along with King Crimson ITCOTCK and Paul Weller's Stanley Road. Sorry.

Peter Ashley said...

Haven't knowingly heard the King Crimson album, and only know that the lead bloke is married to Toyah Wilcox. (Isht a mishtery.)

Full agreement on Stanley Road. Hood down, M4, Hatchet Inn at Lower Chute. Various girls shouting "I like this" as Weller pounded out against the wind.

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