Caffs & Greasy spoons

[StoneyRocker]

I wasted much time in the coffee bars during my teens, but hey it was the Sixties. I used to go to a few that haven't been mentioned.I remember the Number 18 coffee bar on Eastgate as the Domino for many years. The ConcoD'Oro in Upper Mill Hill was the spiritual home of the Leeds Mods and I remember older beatnik types playing Jug Band music in the basement. Round the corner in Bishopsgate Street there was a shortlived club/coffee bar called Ioannou's that had live bands, it was very much like the Blue Gardenia or "BG" but more intimate. I saw Andy Summers playing there in 1966 with Zoot Money's Big Roll Band. The Rendezvous on Roundhay Road was another caff that seemed to open 24/7, but always felt more dangerous than George's by Leeds Bridge. Further up, by the Clock Cinema, was the Strega that catered to Teddy Boys and Rockers in the late 50's and early 60's and was where I first tasted (real home made) Pizza. In between, there was Hernando's Hideaway at Harehills Corner. Big Jack Charlton had a coffee bar in the basement of his Mens' boutique "HIS" on the other side of Roundhay Road parade. I was also a fan of Dunhill's greasy spoons on Burley Road and South Accomodation Road. Buckles cafes in town are well known to the dole fraternity being near the Unemployment Benefit office. They weren't very appetising, but they fit the miserablist experience of mass unemployment.I think the best greasy spoon is Florence Street Cafe next to the site of the old burned out Vogue Cinema. I haven't been for a while so I don't know what it's like now.    

[zip55]

StoneyRocker wrote: I wasted much time in the coffee bars during my teens, but hey it was the Sixties. I used to go to a few that haven't been mentioned.I remember the Number 18 coffee bar on Eastgate as the Domino for many years. The ConcoD'Oro in Upper Mill Hill was the spiritual home of the Leeds Mods and I remember older beatnik types playing Jug Band music in the basement. Round the corner in Bishopsgate Street there was a shortlived club/coffee bar called Ioannou's that had live bands, it was very much like the Blue Gardenia or "BG" but more intimate. I saw Andy Summers playing there in 1966 with Zoot Money's Big Roll Band. The Rendezvous on Roundhay Road was another caff that seemed to open 24/7, but always felt more dangerous than George's by Leeds Bridge. Further up, by the Clock Cinema, was the Strega that catered to Teddy Boys and Rockers in the late 50's and early 60's and was where I first tasted (real home made) Pizza. In between, there was Hernando's Hideaway at Harehills Corner. Big Jack Charlton had a coffee bar in the basement of his Mens' boutique "HIS" on the other side of Roundhay Road parade. I was also a fan of Dunhill's greasy spoons on Burley Road and South Accomodation Road. Buckles cafes in town are well known to the dole fraternity being near the Unemployment Benefit office. They weren't very appetising, but they fit the miserablist experience of mass unemployment.I think the best greasy spoon is Florence Street Cafe next to the site of the old burned out Vogue Cinema. I haven't been for a while so I don't know what it's like now.     Was BG's on Boar Lane or was that Lulu's?

[Leeds Lass]

Does anyone remember The/Le/La Gourmet, in the alleyway at the back of the old Waterstones off Albion Street? We used to go in the 70's a lot. It was run by a proper Greek family and their moussaka was to die for! It changed its name to Stefano's, then closed down I think?Also, while I'm on, was Youngmans above Debenhams or around that area? And did they serve set meals, ie fish, chips, b + b, pot of tea and sweet? And did they have a self service "hatch" type cooler, with little clear pots of coloured jelly and a piped blob of "pretendy" thick cream on top? Eeeh, them were the days!

[LS1]

Leeds Lass, was this near the old Waterstones on at the back of Ablion Street, just as you go down Bank Street. I think Radio Rentals used to be at the top. The place you talk about is apparently still under the stairs behind the doors next to Waterstones, you can see the big double doors if you walk down Bank Street and look to the right.

[exiled in essex]

Youngmans definitely was upstairs, above Debenhams. That was when it was on King Edward Street, I remember going as a child. Re the Red Bus Cafe, I have absolutely no recollection of a bus being in that lay-by in the 1970's and I used to pass by it a lot (being from Scholes). I actually thought it appeared sometime in the 1980's or even the early 1990's but I might well be wrong. I remember sitting in the Hellenic on Vicar lane while waiting for the bus when we used to get our buses home from the West Yorkshire bus station. They had plastic hanging things above the counter with bags of crisps in (KP, specifically). Four Cousins - used to go in here for a coffee before work on a Saturday when I was 15 and worked in Barratts on Kirkgate. Four Cousins was up that 1960's arcade which had Rebina Shoes on the corner of it. I also remember my mum taking us in a little cafe on Fish Street (tiny, alley-like street off Kirkgate). I think it was called La Strega (not to be confused with The Strega!) but if anyone knows what it was called please let me know.

[Tasa]

La Strega is still there!

[Leeds Lass]

LS1 wrote: Leeds Lass, was this near the old Waterstones on at the back of Ablion Street, just as you go down Bank Street. I think Radio Rentals used to be at the top. The place you talk about is apparently still under the stairs behind the doors next to Waterstones, you can see the big double doors if you walk down Bank Street and look to the right. Yes LS1, that's the one! I used to love it in there!

[LS1]

Leeds Lass wrote: LS1 wrote: Leeds Lass, was this near the old Waterstones on at the back of Ablion Street, just as you go down Bank Street. I think Radio Rentals used to be at the top. The place you talk about is apparently still under the stairs behind the doors next to Waterstones, you can see the big double doors if you walk down Bank Street and look to the right. Yes LS1, that's the one! I used to love it in there! Wouldn't mind a quick noesy down there!

[Trojan]

Leeds Lass wrote: Does anyone remember The/Le/La Gourmet, in the alleyway at the back of the old Waterstones off Albion Street? We used to go in the 70's a lot. It was run by a proper Greek family and their moussaka was to die for! It changed its name to Stefano's, then closed down I think? I remember the Gourmet - wasn't it on Commercial Street near the back of Marks? And didn't it have a little model of a table and chairs in the window?

[exiled in essex]

Tasa wrote: La Strega is still there! Thanks! That's really good to know, I can't believe it's still there! I used to love it when my mum took us in there. She'd have a cup of tea and we'd have a coke in a glass with a straw. Happy days!