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Friendly, efficient staff handle busy periods well at this Islington stalwart, taking names and honouring tables so customers don’t have to queue. Although famously preserved by S&M founder Kevin Finch, the decor of the former Alfredo’s café is a mix of periods, with panelling covering a probable multitude of building sins, lairy blue Formica tables and tiny red leather chairs. It’s cramped, but mostly jovial. The all-day breakfasts are as popular as the eponymous sausage and mash, while the blackboard promotes Sunday lunch-type meals – say curried parsnip soup, roast lamb shanks, and spotted dick with vanilla custard. The only problem with our meal was that the rather thin onion gravy and bubble and squeak were simply not hot, unlike the wild boar and calvados sausages they accompanied. But we enjoyed the daily special of chicken and asparagus bangers (toulouse was another option) partnered by tasty potato, parsnip and turnip mash. Super freshly squeezed orange juice, mugs of cappuccino and the floral-medicinal kick of dandelion and burdock went swimmingly with the hearty meal.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009
I love living in London, and all the usual trappings of this great city. I'm a creative person, in both my work and social life. I take photos of...
We found S&M Cafe really bad and bland. My shepherd's pie was a square of overcooked mince (with no veg in) and bland packed mash (with no cheese). There was absolutely no flavour of wine, garlic, tomatoes, herbs anything. My friend had uninteresting sausages and mash covered with a horrid bisto type gravy. Embarrassing food for Leadenhall market.
I have visited the branch near Liverpool Street Station multiple times and have never been disappointed. While I had to queue on my first visit, the food was well worth the wait.
I always opt for the veggie options and have found delight in everything I've tried. My husband goes for the regular sausages and sometimes the bubble and squeak.
The service is prompt and attentive, although this might have something to do with the fact that S&M often has to turn over their tables quickly. On visits when people haven't been queuing out the door, we've had quite relaxing and enjoyable weekend meals.
We make sure to bring international visitors to get some sausage and mash, and S&M has never let us down with their simple British fare.
My meal was really nice and yummy. Huge portion size too... I couldn't finish my mash. I'd go back.
The bangors and mash, along with the sheppards pie that we ate, were both excellent. The place was simple but clean and the staff was great.
I really don't understand why this place is so highly rated. It took us half and hour to place our order and when it arrived the sausages were overcooked, burnt on the outside and smothered in some generic goopy gravy that tasted little different to Bisto. Alfredo would have swooned. Won't be going back.