Italian cafe' on the Topsfield Parade

[Harper Lee]

Hi,

Has anybody tried the Italian cafe' , kind of opposite the Post Office? Can't remember what was here before.  I am not a fan of Spiazzo and was wondering how this one is...

[Amanda Carrara]

Had the best iced soya latte there last week.  Very pleasant Italian staff, authentic Italian food and snacks, nice garden out back, felt like being in a real Italian cafe with no unnecessary frills.  Go try.  A bunting free zone, I believe!

[OpinioN8 Administrator]

Stevong111: @OpinionN8 coffee okay, cakes poor.8:10pm, Jun 07 from Twitter for Android

[Adrian Essex]

I have planned a rendez vous there on Tuesday (what's the Italian for rendez vous?) so should then be able to offer an opinion

[Harper Lee]

"appuntamento" = italian for "rendez - vous".

Let me know how you like it...

[Adrian Essex]

I duly kept my appuntamento and frankly I was underwhelmed. The coffee was alright, but the pastries on display in the window were uninspiring. I once had a slice of carrot cake at the Natural History Museum that made me want to go back to the Natural History Museum. Tuesday's carrot cake did nt arouse the same passion.

I think I'll stick to Coffee Cake down the road which does have inspiring cakes and is introducing some special offers.

[Harper Lee]

I tried the place myself today.  Had a latte, which was OK and a "piadina' with spicy salami, cheese and salad.  This is basically a warm sandwich, in this instance made with a mexican tortilla - the real thing is totally flat and not wrapped, thicker and smaller.  Authenticity issues aside, it was pretty good.  They guys were friendly and it came to £6.

Not overwhelmed by it, but didn't think it was that bad either... Did not tried any cakes as the "piadina" was very filling...

[Steppenwolf]

I would give it 7/10. Much nearer to the genuine article than Spiazzo and also much better value.   It did use to be a an Italian deli a long time ago.

[Harper Lee]

Yeah...now I remember!  First it used to be a deli run by a Cypriot lady, then it became "Il Cavaliere" (italian deli).

[crouchhall]

The Cypriot lady is the sister of Joseph who owns Arocaria. She's now back in Cyprus. Before that, the original 'Bunces' was owned by the wonderful Irish Anna Nandlal - she ran it after her husband died. I remember going there in 1978 with a recipe list which included 4 cloves. I had no idea what they were but she dutifully opened a jar and took 4 out for me (without charge). I loved her ever since! She was a great supporter of local endeavour, especially the original Crouch End Arts Festival.

[Amanda Carrara]

fyi, they are about to get an alcohol licence, so will soon be my Crouch End preferred supplier of that inimitable duo, a panini and Peroni.  My quarter Italian blood (Carrara) will out!