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J&A Café

4 Sutton Lane, EC1M 5PU Full details & map

Café: Creative contemporary

Time Out says 1 Users say 5/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Nov 28 2011

At lunchtimes, a crowd of creative types descend down the small alley leading to J&A - named after sister owners Johann and Aoise Ledwidge - and sit at communal tables in the buzzing main room or the backyard of this former diamond-cutting factory. The upstairs room is much calmer and has the same lovely look of bare brick walls and cast-iron windows.

The menu tempts with dishes made on site from scratch: slow-roast tomato, rocket and courgette tart, full of flavour and laden with sparkling fresh vegetables, or baked potatoes with premium toppings such as the steak, rocket, tomato, capers and horseradish sauce combo. Be quick to order as it's not unusual for mains to sell out by 1.30pm.

When a neighbouring table complained about a delay in food arriving, apologetic staff offered free cakes. If those disgruntled customers had opted for the victoria sponge - delicious flavour and perfect texture - the delay would no doubt have been forgiven instantly.

Tags: Creative contemporary, Chilling out, People watching, Central, Clerkenwell, Budget, Restaurant, Café

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J&A Café details

Address

J&A Café

4 Sutton Lane EC1M 5PU

Transport Barbican tube or Farringdon tube/rail

Telephone

020 7490 2992

J&A Café website

Breakfast served 8-11am Mon-Fri. Brunch served 9am-1pm Sat. Lunch served noon-3.30pm Mon-Sat. Tea served 3.30-5.45pm Mon-Fri; 3-5pm Sat

Main courses £3.50-£10.50

Credit cards MC, V

Facilities

Tables outdoors ( 13, pavement ), Babies and children admitted, Available for hire, Disabled ( toilet ), Takeaway service

J&A Café map

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Comments & ratings 5/5 (Average of 1 rating)

By Sally Porter - Apr 17 2011

5/5

I LOVE this place! I recently discovered this hidden gem with a friend and have returned many times since.
The food has been delicious every time and the staff are very welcoming and helpful with their recommendations.
It's refreshing to find a place that is not part of a chain and make all their food on site.

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By Polly Tingle - Oct 29 2010

I have visited the J and A Cafe on a few occassions. However on my last visit my party and I were subjected to rude comments from the owner, of all people, as we decended the stairs to pay! She appeared behind us and started to loudly criticise the possibility of us paying by card, and stated that with vehemence that it was 'very annoying'! We had not even decided at this point whether to even pay by card.

The situation was so bizarre that when I admitted that I had found her comments quite rude, she told me she could say what she liked as she was the owner! I honestly couldn't believe my ears.

This cafe used to be an office favourite, but after the appaling behaviour of the owner, we will not be returning.

The worrying thing is that if there was a genuine problem, say with the bill or the quality of the food, you could not be confident that the owner would deal with it in an adult manner.

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By stu - Sep 22 2010

i will be trying it for breakfast tomorrow, interested to see who's opinion i agree with!!

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By Sam Longstone - Sep 1 2010

I have to disagree with the last comment. I am a regular at J+A and have been since they opened I take all of my friends there and my parents. The service is always friendly and prompt and I have never been disapointed with my breakfast or lunch and I've tried most of them. You must have been there on an off day- they happn to all of us... ps You should try the Chocolate Guinness Cake!

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By Josie - Aug 5 2010

I would not recommend this place at all!

My colleagues and I went to J&A for breakfast this morning, and were very disappointed.
Firstly the service was appalling, especially annoying when the number of staff almost matched the number of customers!

We had to tell the nonchalant waitress that we wanted to order our food. The OK breakfasts were definitely not worth waiting an hour for, to top it off they forgot about one breakfast and didn’t even apologise. Definitely not the place to go unless you have all day!