Caffs & Greasy spoons

RayCooke · Post by **RayCooke** » Mon 02 Nov, 2009 12:48 am

Steve Jones wrote: Nowadays I find it is getting harder to find a good old fashioned "caff" in Leeds as they are being replaced with cafe bars instead or just closing.anyone have any fond memories of particular ones or recommendations for ones still around?two of my favourites still existing in the centre of Leeds are :the one in the Merrion Centre market- a great greasy spoon, cheap and wonderful for people watching.The one at the back of the City varieties that you have to go upstairs to. - cheap and cheerful, food has improved lately.i used to like the one upstairs in the Merrion centre as it was a great place to arrange to meet people as it usually had space, plus visitors tended to miss it. How about the 2 Tomato Dips @ Hunslet Road and Kirkstall Road and Georges Cafe which was on Leeds Bridge. All 24hr caffs in the '60's and for a special night out we all got together and went to Scotch Corner !!!

Uno Hoo · Post by **Uno Hoo** » Mon 02 Nov, 2009 1:34 am

LS1 wrote: Steve Jones wrote: I was in the Merrion Centre last week as is apparent from the thread on the market,while I was there I decided to see if the cafe on the upper floor was managing to survive.I was delighted to find that it is still there.It is now called Annies Pantry and the counter has been repositioned.it also was a lot cleaner than I remember the old place<G>. .Still good value and good grub though.I didn't spot any signs telling people it exists though! Was the old guy still there with the shirt and tie that used to t\ke your order? Was it the shirt or the tie which actually wrote it down?

harehills-steve · Post by **harehills-steve** » Wed 11 Nov, 2009 4:00 pm

Does anyone remember the black and white opposite the crypt, used to go there on a saturday night after the warehouse in the early eighties. Also their was a nice place with a french name at the top of swan street up some stairs (maybe le rendesvous) we used to retire to on saturday afternoon after Whitelocks closed (busy day saturday).

Dobbie54 · Post by **Dobbie54** » Wed 11 Nov, 2009 6:55 pm

Don't know if it's already been mentioned.But the one Ime thinking of used to be on Vicar Lane near the bus station.It was something to do with the Wild West.You went downstairs to it.Just carnt remember the name.Used to go in on a lunchtime when I was a city whizzkid.

Steve Jones · Post by **Steve Jones** » Wed 11 Nov, 2009 8:17 pm

The swan street cafe is still there,nowadays it is called the Swan cafe and is still upstairs. as I have said before in this thread if you sit by the window you get a good view of Sir Harry Lauder on the opposite wall!

liits · Post by **liits** » Wed 11 Nov, 2009 9:28 pm

PJ wrote: Anyone on here recall the legendary Klondike, opposite the bus station.1984 to 1988 I spent many a happy hour in the corner in the wee small hours deciding whether to walk home or wait for the first bus,Very unusual customer base ranging from dossers to full-on drag queens (very convincing too I might add). Wasn’t the Klondike owned and run by Marco Pierre White’s parents [or, at least, his father – after his mother died]?

Steve Jones · Post by **Steve Jones** » Wed 11 Nov, 2009 9:40 pm

yes the Klondike was owned by the White's. It was mentioned earlier in this thread.

liits · Post by **liits** » Wed 11 Nov, 2009 10:14 pm

Steve Jones wrote: yes the Klondike was owned by the White's. It was mentioned earlier in this thread. Thanks Steve, I think it may have been me who mentioned it but never really got a conclusive answer.

RayCooke · Post by **RayCooke** » Wed 11 Nov, 2009 11:56 pm

Steve Jones wrote: The swan street cafe is still there,nowadays it is called the Swan cafe and is still upstairs. as I have said before in this thread if you sit by the window you get a good view of Sir Harry Lauder on the opposite wall! There were 2 where you went downstairs I remember. The "Chicken Inn" nr "The Corn Exchange" that had "The Embassy Club" downstairs in the basement and "The Blue Gardenia" which was nearer the bus station I think where you went downstairs & it used to be dimly lit....I remember going in when "Pretty Flamingo" was up in the charts and it used to be full of the flowerpower folk..I heard somewhere the name "BG's" but I'm not sure if there is the connection

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