J & A Cafe

Bar in Clerkenwell
J & A Cafe image
Ad

8 / 10 from 2 reviews
Address
J & A Cafe
1+4 Sutton Lane
Clerkenwell
London
EC1M 5PU
Map
Telephone
020 7490 2992
Region
Clerkenwell
Nearest Station
Barbican
0.24 miles
Category
Bars

Tucked away in a courtyard between Clerkenwell Road and Great Sutton Street, we are on the ground floor of a beautiful old diamond-cutting factory.
Our café is inspired by traditional family values and good old-fashioned hospitality. In our family, the kitchen is at the heart of the home: there is always fresh-baked soda bread, a big pot of tea and a cake on the table. We have tried to recreate that feeling of homeliness wherever we can. Everyone is welcome and will be greeted warmly in comfortable, unpretentious surroundings.
We have worked hard to build a team at J+A that is friendly and helpful. Each one of us is passionate about putting a smile on your face with excellent service and fantastic fresh food.
Of course, the food! At J+A, we believe in healthy and wholesome home-cooking and baking, using simple recipes and fresh produce. From the bread and butter to our smoked salmon, all produce has been meticulously selected - from local sources wherever possible - for your pleasure. We love comfort food more than anything else, so whether you join us for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea, you can be sure that our menu will have you licking your lips and dreaming of home.

All In London Review

It resides in a small courtyard in the otherworldly and forever quietly un-London-like neighbourhood of Clerkenwell.

Some places are so in tune with what they are trying to create that explanations are unnecessary, you just get it. J&A Café is all about hospitality along with that elusive homemade, familial chic that is so hard to capture. You can tell this right off and it’s only mentioned since having been along to visit, a brief glance at their restaurant reveals this is exactly what they want you to feel. So full marks, we totally got it.

There might be many people who haven’t heard of J&A Café, since it resides in a small courtyard in the otherworldly and forever quietly un-London-like neighbourhood of Clerkenwell. The blink-and-you’ll-miss-it venue is well worth discovering. Opening for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner – the clean sweep – J&A is a casual dining option. Whether you’re out to impress or looking for intimacy, it works on all levels.

Portions are small and meant to be ordered in multiples at dinner. We visit for the brunch menu, which is (correctly) celebrated. The sweet café isn’t too cute to sever up a full English breakfast but if you’re a foodie (and if you’re here then that’s quite likely) then opt for something a little more unusual. The kedgeree comes highly recommended but from personal experience, the savoury pancakes are what are likely to inspire a return. Accompanied by organic sausage and bacon, we can side step those processed meat qualms and enjoy the fluffy batter long with a healthy dollop of real-deal maple syrup. At £7.50, that spelled value to us.
There are also lighter options, which include granola, muesli, pastries and boiled eggs with toast soldiers.

Alcohol is served in the evening and you can imagine that the homely charms of the breakfast service are swapped for a refined atmosphere in which to enjoy J&A Café.

Behind the cute, old-fashioned style J&A Café displays a serious attitude towards its food. This is how breakfast should be. When’s dinner?

Reviewed by T.A.O
Published on Jun 12, 2013


User Reviews

T.A.O

Dec 6, 2013

Delightful little breakfast spot. This isn't the kind of place that you just stumble on but J&A Cafe is a joy once you find it.

Intimate and chic interior and excellent produce that goes into creating the menu. One of the best new paces I've discovered.
Have your say

Add a review or useful tip for this bar