Restaurants, Cafes, Coffee Bars

Does anyone recall the 2 restaurants, one in Hales Street, the other in Queen Victoria Road, known as (I think) Swiss Alps??? Who owned them, what happened to them??

I remember them both but we went to the Queen Victoria Road one more often. It had an open fire at one side of the room, sort of built up with bricks and a hood over it - I don't recall it being used as a fire, just a focal point to make it look like a chalet.

Talking of restaurants, I remember as a child after the war, there was a temporary restaurant built in Gosford Park, it was called The British Restaurant, and from what my mother told me it catered for cheaper meals. I vaguely remember a marquee type of building. It was at the top end of the park and I loved the jam tart and custard. It must have been erected to cater for all those who no longer had a place to eat because of the bombing in the city. I hope someone remembers it as I am beginning to feel quite ancient!!!!! Also wasn't there a restaurant above the Opera House in Hales Street?

I believe there were quite a few "British Restaurants" dotted around Coventry? I think I've seen references to ones in Broadgate and Albany Road.

Thank goodness for you Dutchman, at least I know I wasn't dreaming. I probably remember that one because it was just over the road from King Richard Street where my mother looked after a little grocery shop. Also it reminds me of the lovely large water fountain right on the corner, well it looked large to me at the time and very Victorian looking I thought. Bye for now.

I think the Broadgate one may have become Lyons.

Anyone have any memories of The Captains Table on Primrose Hill Street? I recall it having a fishermans/pirate theme with fishing nets, lobster pots etc. and being rather dimly lit. I only ever went once, as dining out was a rare treat as a teenager in the mid to late 60's. I don't recall what I ate but I do remember feeling rather privileged and posh back then.

Hi Bad boy, I well remember The Captains Table as I grew up in Hillfields. From what I recall you have given an accurate description, however I was obviously not as posh and privileged as you because I don't think I ever had a meal there. As you said Bad boy we didn't dine out so much back then, unless it was a Wimpy Bar!

Wasn't this one of two restaurants owned by the same proprietors? - the other being in the town centre somewhere? Can't for the life of me recall the location or name of the other. I never went but I'm sure I remember my dad saying he had eaten there.

Hmm... Wimpy Bar Just after we were married we used to go to town every Saturday (bit of a ritual) and we ALWAYS ate at the Wimpy Bar in Cross Cheaping. More often than not we had the "Shanty Grill" - a chunky piece of battered fish (and tartare sauce) and their superb chips. The only other plated food I recall was the trademark "curved sausage" - with an egg at its centre!

Yes, they had some rather "interesting" items on their menu. I visited a Wimpy bar on the edge of Cannock Chase in the winter just gone, when most of us were shivering and wondering if the endless days and weeks of snow ice and sub zero temperatures were ever going to end. I was hoping to read off some of the choices that were on offer in the 60/70's. Wrong!!! Just goes to show what hoping does!! I didn't know that the same proprietor of The Captains Table owned another restaurant in the city centre TonyS. It would be good if anyone could enlighten us?? Talking of hotel/restaurant proprietor, am I right in saying that the owner of The Berkeley Grill on Holyhead Road went on to develop The Royal Court Hotel in Keresley?? Like you TonyS, his name escapes me.

Could that other restaurant have been the Tropicana? It was in the town centre and was very popular, I remember having a meal in there with my wife one Saturday night when Englebert Humperdinck (remember him?) came and sat at the next table. He was appearing at the Hippodrome that week, he was eating all alone and looked really fed up. Alan.

Where was The Tropicana, IslandCafe? Perhaps Engelbert was fed up because he was "A Man without Love" or he thought "There goes my Everything". Groan!!!! Sorry

Was it John Henry who owned the Captain's Table & also the Castaways Night Club in Shelton Square? Regards, creteskyblue. I think it could have been called the Forty Thieves not Castaways.

Hi Badboy, I can't remember where it was and now thinking even harder could the name have been the Trocadera. They both existed but I can't be sure which was which. OOOhh my brain hurts so "Please release me, let me go" groan again. Please forgive an old man. Alan.