Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 8 and Version 7 of Toad's Mouth Too Cafe, SE4 2RL

A restaurant and cafe in Brockley.

I'll defer to the web which suggests this place is called "Toad's Mouth Too Restaurant and Gallery", though the sign outside (in the photo) calls it merely "Toad's Mouth Cafe". In either case, the whimsicality of the name and the idiosyncrasy of the rooms ensures a solid blend of local parents and ladies who lunch. The layout downstairs suggests this was someone's home once (though latterly an estate agents' office and extensively overhauled by the present owners, according to an anonymous commenter).

The place clearly gets quite busy at times, and at Sunday brunch there was a small queue waiting for tables (though the queue was moved fairly swiftly). You enter via the kitchen area, where there's a small seating area (crammed with the accumulated ephemera of years) and a till for paying.

Downstairs the rooms are bright and airy, with plenty of tables. Service is prompt and very friendly. There is a breakfast/lunch menu (with vegetarian options) and a separate wine and drinks list. The vegetarian breakfast itself on Ewan's visit was oddly comprised of both traditional fare and roast vegetables, which sat uneasily side by side. However, comments on the internet suggest this place is even better for lunch and dinner.

As of February 2008, dinner is £10 for two courses or £12 for three. Starters might include salmon mousse or globe artichokes with aioli dip; mains could include rump steak with potato wedges or mushroom lasagne; dessert choices might include chocolate torte or strawberries and cream (yes, in February...). We've not sampled this yet though.

See also:

• London Breakfast review
• London Review of Breakfasts review
• Brockley Central comments
• Kake's photo of the evening menu as of February 2008
• Qype comments

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