Comments on: Eleanor Crow’s East End Cafes

By: Cherub

Cherub — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 13:23:19 +0000

It’s sad that many of these cafés are disappearing. When I worked in the City there were some great cheap places in Leadenhall Market which I presume are probably long gone. I used to eat a proper lunch there because I lived in a flat split into bedsits with a horrible shared kitchen.

I paid a recent visit to my home town for a week, the High St is rapidly dying as all the main retailers like M and S have gone. They’ve killed off the traditional cafés and it’s now populated by soulless coffee chains selling expensive posh sandwiches and cakes, along with a sushi bar. Sometimes you just want a cup of tea in friendly and cosy surroundings. There used to be an old one called La Speranza that did great hot meals and I sorely miss being able to have lunch there – someone bought the building and cancelled the lease because he wanted to turn it into a kebab place. It failed and is now a restaurant offering a strange mix of Scottish, Venezuelan and Portuguese tapas.

By: David

David — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 15:28:58 +0000

Sadly a few more of those mentioned are now “gone but not forgotten”, or like L.Rodi have been modernized and hence ruined

By: Steve Hanscomb

Steve Hanscomb — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 09:17:22 +0000

Such lovely work!
The Copper grill and the Savoy are also long gone now sadly.
One Caff that isn’t shown here, but has been painted by Eleanor is Scotti’s on Clerkenwell Green. It’s a fantastic family run cafe that has all of its’ original fittings and charm. Brilliant food and the nicest people running it. Al, Max and his team knock out some seriously good sandwiches, the freshly cooked chicken escalope in ciabatta is one you’ll go back for many times!
Eleanor’s painting hangs proudly on their wall.

By: Susan Locke

Susan Locke — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 14:05:19 +0000

Beautiful work, love her style.

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 12:10:49 +0000

Treat yourself to even MORE artwork by Eleanor Crow. I just followed the link to her website and enjoyed a banquet of images. Loved having a glance at her sketchbook. Quite wonderful. She brings a distinctive style to every topic. Thank you for making the introductions here, GA.

By: John Venes

John Venes — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 11:43:44 +0000

Marvellous. I remember some of these, particularly Gina’s.
But, as with so many of these stories, there is a feeling of sadness.
Nearly half of these places are gone.
It’s hard to find a proper caff, not cafe, in the East End now.
Unfortunately there is no shortage of trendy coffee shops selling all manner of fancy -named blends.

By: Hilda Kean

Hilda Kean — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 09:04:32 +0000

Good to record and have remembered past shops and cafes. I’ m thinking of the little visual book on London’s Lost department Stores by Tessa Boase in Safe Haven publishers. Is there any possibility of a publication relating to East London not so many decades ago as in these drawings? Would also be great to include oral accounts from many people who used to – or still do – go to these places regularly.I note that other comments on this page also recalling people’s local experiences are also suggesting a way forward?!

By: Di Corry

Di Corry — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 08:54:10 +0000

Wonderful watercolours, thank you Eleanor for capturing these images, especially those ‘gone but not forgotten’.

By: achim

achim — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 08:47:11 +0000

Eleanor Crow’s wonderful watercolours are simply whimsical, accurate and beautiful. I wish I owned an original!

By the way, there is another website — which is the valid one?
https://www.eleanorcrow.org/

Love & Peace
ACHIM

By: Marcia Howard

Marcia Howard — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 08:39:27 +0000

I love Eleanor Crow’s paintings, and the fact that she’s ensured we don’t forget what was once there. Thank you so much for sharing them again