S&M Cafe, Islington - Guide Review

* 2012 Update: Sadly, this restaurant has now closed. *

A traditional English café with authentic 1940’s and 50’s design, serving hearty portions of the down-to-earth meal: sausages, mashed potatoes and gravy (meat sauce).

This café was used as a movie location for the scooter/mod film Quadrophenia set in the 1960s. Formerly known as Alfredo’s, the cafe has been lovingly restored to its former glory by the Sausage and Mash micro chain and indeed, the décor is reason enough for make a visit: colored Formica dining tables loaded with a huge array of sauce and mustard options, original Vitrolite signs and glass-globe lamps. It isn’t anything like a normal English ‘greasy spoon’, it has a relaxed and unpretentious ambience and is therefore a bit more expensive than your average ‘egg and French fries’ place. The table service has just the right balance of being helpful without being pushy, and the food is truly splendid. The menu offers a traditional mix (2 or 3 sausages, with their standard mash and gravy) for £5.75 or you can choose the gourmet mix with such unusual sausage varieties as 'Chicken and Tomato' or 'Venison' for £6.95. There are four types of mash on offer: I like 'Bubble & Squeak' which is mashed potatoes with peas and cabbage (honestly, it tastes better than it sounds!) If you’re really hungry add on the mushy peas which are another staple English comfort food. Ensure you leave space for a dessert. I recommend the 'Bramley Apple Crumble' at only £2.95 or be indulgent and have the 'Hot Chocolate Brownie' at £3.50. Always remember to check the blackboard, over the kitchen serving hatch, for the daily specials.