Bea's Diner

We've been itching to try Bea's Diner ever since we passed by the other week when visiting Maltby Street Market for the first time. Today we seized our chance and were not disappointed. 

Bea's Diner

This is not a typical restaurant -- it is really just four long picnic tables assembled near an open kitchen and plonked in the middle of a huge cavernous space under the railway arches. That said, it's magical and if you even have a hint of any arty side then you will appreciate the funky vibe of this place which is kind of Iowa meets London (pitchfork on wall, painting of red pickup truck, Tom Petty in the background and yet packed with yummy mummies and flat-capped wearing hipsters). 

For wheelchair users, the space is a godsend. There is absolutely no lip between the pavement and the inside and there are no doors -- you can just wheel right in. The tables, as mentioned, are picnic-style but wheelchair users can just pull up on the ends without a problem. We shared our table with a couple and two children and there was plenty of room. 

Pancakes packed with blueberry goodness

Now...the food. I had the blueberry pancakes, and Chazz had the plain buttermilk. These were the best pancakes that we've had since leaving the States. Thick, fluffy and full of flavour. Being greedy, we also slathered real butter in between each pancake, and topped with Canadian maple syrup. I don't remember eating every last bite, but that's what happened in a pancake haze.  The blueberries were bursting with freshness, and amazingly did not make the pancake soggy which can often happen. They were served piping hot, and quickly. 

I had freshly squeezed orange juice which was very good, and I appreciate the homey touch of drinking it out of a mason jar. Chazz had tea which was good but too fancy for his taste -- he prefers just the ordinary plain tea (as do I). 

Next time we'll try the poached eggs with hollandaise sauce on a "flour station muffin" which looked amazing (we saw two people order it when we were there). Also, I might try the bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon. Heck, we'll probably just try their whole menu which, being admittedly small, is probably all done very well. 

An amazing place that's already a favorite. I only wish I would have thought of opening a diner like this first.

Details:

Hours: Saturdays only from 9 am "until we run out"

Tel: 020 7242 8330 

www.beasofbloomsbury.com