Restaurants, Cafes, Coffee Bars

I bought one in the mid 1980's and sold it a couple of years ago, we had it in the Kitchen, but when we moved and 'downsized' it was too big ! It was a 'Rockola' which held 80 Singles as opposed to the standard 50. I used to change the records round now and again. It was manufactured in the US Mid 1970's and took the old large 5p, 10p & 50p. (1,3,7 plays respectively). It was really heavy, and the guy that bought it had to hire a Van with a Hydraulic lift at the back !

Does anyone remember the Mercia Grill which was on the ground floor of the old gas showrooms in Corporation street? I worked Saturdays there while I was at school. It was quite ground breaking, being the first new "grill Concept" to hit Coventry!!

Hi all, Yes, I remember the ground floor cafe very well. Lovely cheese on toast with a strip of bacon on top. Oooooow! Reputation in pubs & cafes is so important. A Coventry pub, that I used regularly for breaky, went for a burton a few times, lost its one-time good reputation, I stopped going, now opens at Noon. The Mount Pleasant in Walsgrave is turning up trumps with its food menu. Opens at 9 in the morning, beautiful breaky, & some worthwhile lunch meal deals in the week. The snag for me is that I can't get there until eleven. I'm wanting elevensies by then!

Hi all, Like many Coventrians of my age, I miss Fishy Moore's. The Saturday queues if you go back far enough, but my favourite era was their cafe near to the Pool Meadow. The nearest I can get to that memory now is Cafe Italia. Two pieces of cod, preformed chips, dressed salad, fresh & warm tartar sauce, plus a pot of tea. A bit of change out of ten pounds. That's what I've enjoyed this morning. The only alternative is Toppers in Nuneaton, where it is a sit-in fish & chippy. Anyway. Boooooootifuel.

I always enjoy your reviews, and I'm jealous of the the bounty you find. I wonder if any of the places you visit realized you are a serious food critic. If I lived in the Coventry area I would absolutely go out of my way to try some of you recommendations.

Lindatee, there is serious discussion about replacing the Michelin stars with the Philip 'thumbs up' in the midlands. When Philip walks into any catering establishment the staff flock to him and he receives first class service. I am not sure whether this is because of his known reputation at finding quality venues or whether they mistake him for the health inspector.

I appreciate the lamentations for a bygone chippy. Coventry centre has many takeaways but no fish and chip shop

Thank you for fun & as well as the serious side. Our forum has its own code of awards. The top being the Three Brills award. It's brill!

Hi all, I wandered into Cafe Italia today & bumped into a plate of fish & chips. It was beautiful.

And a glass of red by the look of it!!!! "CHEERS"

Did chapel cleaning this morning, so for my reward, I'm at the Bull & Anchor. 8oz rump for £8.49. Just waiting for a chum to arrive. I arrived first obviously as I came on bus.

I love this fruity cider. I had another!

I'm more of an ASPALL man myself.

I've always been a red wine with meal bod, but that Bulmers fruit cider is beautiful with steak. Yum & glug.