Were I writing this as the slightly less debonair and much less sophisticated fifteen year old me, I'd probably be a lot more derisive of this place. The outdoor seats, we were told, are only for paying customers so could we, we were politely asked, get our McDonalds milkshakes off the tables, get our selves out of the chairs, get our skateboards away from the cafe and kindly go play in traffic.
This did not please fifteen year old me and his friends. We had just discovered the word "anarchy", so one of my friends decided to stick it to the man. One tipped over table later, and we were racing out of sight to hide behind the church.
I came back, one day a little while back. Put on my gentlest smile and prayed they didn't recognise me. Didn't want them turning around and mentioning to the girl I was with that I was one of the little tossers who damaged a priceless, French table that his nan had left him in her will just after she had smuggled it out of Nazi-occupied Poland.
I'm glad I did. This is a wonderful little cafe, situated in a lovely spot overlooking the park. Get here early if you want to get seated. If not, get it to go and sit in St. James gardens across the way. read more