Caffs & Greasy spoons

StoneyRocker · Post by **StoneyRocker** » Wed 23 Apr, 2008 1:27 pm

zip55 wrote: StoneyRocker wrote: 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. Was BG's on Boar Lane or was that Lulu's? The BG was on White Horse Street off Boar Lane opposite Trinity Church. There is a thread on here about the Blue Gardenia. If you search for BG it comes up, sorry I don't know how to link it here.

Gandalf · Post by **Gandalf** » Wed 23 Apr, 2008 3:22 pm

simonm wrote: May I give a big clap to the Helenick on Vicar Lane. Place never seems to shut and has been the savior to many a drunken night out in Leeds On a Sunday morning!! The Hellenic was always referred to as 'Fred's cafe' in our house as I had a mate who worked there. Not been in for years but used to use it a lot in the 70's

Samson · Post by **Samson** » Mon 28 Apr, 2008 12:34 am

I have also remembered another place - I think it was a cafe, but i am not sure. I took a picture of it in 1986 when I did a black and white photo course and at the time i was in leeds.It was upstairs in the old Market that survived the fire and i think it was called......I am partly guessing here.......Kandy's?????Help! My memory has gone. I have lost a lot of photos, but if i find it I will attempt to post it up

Leeds-lad · Post by **Leeds-lad** » Fri 02 May, 2008 9:32 pm

Not in Leeds centre but does anyone rememberWheel Cafe & the El Moro?

Steve Jones · Post by **Steve Jones** » Sat 03 May, 2008 8:44 pm

I was sitting in the Swan Street cafe this afternoon. it is the one at the back of The City Varieties in Swan Street, opposite it upstairs.As I was eating I idly gazed out of the window and realised I was confronted with a kilted Scotsman figure on the wall of The City Varieties opposite.I wondered why until I left ,at which point gazing up I realised the City Varieties has pictures of old Music Hall figures on the rear wall and it was Sir Harry Lauder!

Trojan · Post by **Trojan** » Sat 03 May, 2008 8:53 pm

Not sure I'm on the right thread here, (is there one for chippies?) I passed one in Horsforth last night called Hartley's I wondered if it was any good.

wiggy · Post by **wiggy** » Sun 04 May, 2008 3:02 am

Steve Jones wrote: I was sitting in the Swan Street cafe this afternoon. it is the one at the back of The City Varieties in Swan Street, opposite it upstairs.As I was eating I idly gazed out of the window and realised I was confronted with a kilted Scotsman figure on the wall of The City Varieties opposite.I wondered why until I left ,at which point gazing up I realised the City Varieties has pictures of old Music Hall figures on the rear wall and it was Sir Harry Lauder! HARRY LAUDER! MY WIFES GRANDADS FAVOURITE ENTERTAINER...A BLAST FROM THE PAST!

Steve Jones · Post by **Steve Jones** » Fri 09 May, 2008 7:42 pm

As has been said on other threads Wiggy. it is amazing what you see when you look up in leeds.Incidentally the Swan St cafe had some good spoof menus at the left hand side of the counter last time I was in.

Martyn · Post by **Martyn** » Fri 09 May, 2008 9:28 pm

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. The Florence Street Cafe is no more but the people that ran it have moved to the cafe on the corner of Conway Place and Ashton Road in Harehills. They still do great value meals.

LS13 · Post by **LS13** » Sat 17 May, 2008 6:30 pm

Theres a few mentions of chinese restaurants in this thread but I was wondering what the first Indian was? I've heard Nafee's has been there since the early 70's -was that the trailblazer for the dozens that have sprung up since?Also was the Alternative the first kebab shop? My first taste of the venerable doner was at a kebab shop in New Station street in about 1980, can't remember the name of it though..