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minno

I like that - maybe orAL franCAIS?

minno @170

Coincidentally my French teacher nicknamed me the 'merry minnow' due to my slight build and happy disposition. This was before I became a moody teenager.

I happened to be in the market café this morning, when I read about the decline of the full English breakfast in the Times.

“I see that cooked breakfasts are on the way out”, I remarked to Cassie, “and there are only about 50 “Greasy Spoon” cafes left in the country.

“I hope you are not calling us a greasy spoon,” she rebuked me.

“No, of course not. I think it is a term for a café serving cheap, high-calorie meals.”

“Well, we are serving more than ever” she replied.

“And what about this café in London selling coffee at two-sixty–five?” I added.

“Two pounds, sixty–five for a coffee, that’s outrageous.”

“It’s worse than that. It’s 265 POUNDS per cup.”

“What’s in it – gold?” she asked.

“No, but it is served in a gold cup!”

Perhaps I should not have mentioned it, as a price increase might be on the way.

Thanks for the anecdote, Jigjag, great fun - as ever! If the market cafe prices go up, we will know who is to blame.

I always loved greasy spoons - the smells, the all-enveloping fug, the workmen with plates piled high. It's a shame there aren't many around these days - that's what we get for being (in theory anyway) much 'healthier' these days!

jigjag

Yes, I read the Times article too. I am sure there must be a lot more than 50 "Greasy Spoons" in the UK, as there are 3 close to me. I cant believe people pay £265 for a coffee, yet they do. I avoid Costa Coffee and the like, as £3-£4 seems too much. I know you get quality food in the cafe, so perhaps you wont mind paying a bit more?

Malone

I agree with you about Greasy Spoons. I love the excitement of anticipating how the pie and chips will turn out, though I am usually disappointed. I used to love Little Chefs - I always had the Olympic Breakfast.

Malone, Grunger

Glad you enjoyed it. It was interesting that the article attempted to define what a Full English is, and yet included only 6 items. Every Greasy Spoon I have been to includes 8 or 9 plus toast and a drink.

They are certainly declining round here though.

But why spoon? I would have thought greasy knife and fork would be more appropriate/

orson @177

Spoon better for the baked beans. Actually at e.g. Indian and Chinese restaurants I always ask for a dessert spoon in place of the knife provided. Forget the chopsticks. There isn't much that can't be cut by a spoon with the aid of a steadying fork. Certainly easier for rice.

I am reminded of:

I eat my peas with honey,
I've done it all my life.
It makes the peas taste funny,
But it keeps them on the knife.

Orson

I dont know but Greasy Plate would be apt for many cafes I have been in.

Paul

Yes, I dont think I have ever used a knife in an Indian or Chinese. I dont use the spoon to cut though. Just big mouthfuls. I like the poem.

On Radio 3 the announcer has kept referring to Smetana's tone poem as "Vul-TAH-va". I've always heard it as "Vult-schwa-va" (Vultuva approximately). Does anyone know which is correct?