Cath Kidston herself would be hard pressed to create a more immediately endearing little eatery than J&A Café. If the idea of wild flowers in milk bottles, enamel mugs, jolly painted chairs and
bunting strung across a quiet courtyard sounds twee, don't be put off: this place keeps a laid-back, urban edge that befits its off-Clerkenwell Road setting. The cooking and baking is wholesome
stuff, based on good ingredients, so expect superior fry-ups with organic eggs and Clonakilty black pudding for breakfast, top-notch sandwiches at lunch, and stunning cakes for tea that your granny
would be proud of (chocolate and Guinness with a dollop of thick cream sticks in the mind). Specials include a daily pie, tart, stew and soup. Drinkers have a choice of beers, Breton cider, a few
wines and cocktails.