Press and news

Tripadvisor: 'nice church....great café' [readmore]

Hardens: ‘ In the "beautiful" crypt of a great Wren church, this "quirky" cafeteria is no longer the pure veggie it was for so many years, but still provides "comforting" dishes at "humble" prices (for the City); it's especially popular for breakfast..' [read more]

Time Out: ‘We heartily approve... a wonderful contrast to neighbouring expense-account eateries.' [read more]

The Observer November 2009: 'For one friend it was the smell of liver and onions at the Skanda Grill in the Merrion Centre, Leeds. For another, while heavily pregnant, it was the sight of cooked chicken in the fridge at midnight. But for most lapsed vegetarians I know it was always the same item that destroyed their resolve: the bacon sandwich. And so it was for Bill Sewell...' [read more]

Waitrose Food Illustrated: ‘All in all we found The Place Below rather charming.' [read more]

Evening Standard: 'Bill Sewell started the Place Below in 1989, and yes, it is a vegetarian restaurant, and yes, it is in the crypt of the St Mary-Le-Bow church. But persevere - all things considered, it has a splendidly low worthiness rating.' [read more]

Square Meal: 'For more than two decades, the local veggie contingent flocked to the vaulted Norman crypt of St Mary-le-Bow for its home-cooked, meat-free grub. Now, the Place Below has become the Café Below, with the same management as before but a new menu that offers as much for red-blooded carnivores as green leaf & tofu fans.' [read more]

Metro, November 2009:' Bill Sewell’s restaurant Café Below, in the crypt of Sir Christopher Wren’s St Mary-le-Bow, is no longer vegetarian. Here you’ll find delectables such as Brindisa’s chorizo and roast pepper sarnies.' [read more]

Traveller 2009: ‘It's said that true Cockneys must be born within earshot of the bells of St Mary-le-Bow. Luckily, food lovers can be born anywhere to enjoy farm-fresh meals in the church's crypt.' [read more]

View London, December 2009 : ‘Legend has it that Dick Whittington, on the verge of admitting defeat and leaving London, turned back to the ringing of the Bow bells. Many a self-confessed Cockney sparrer will tell you they were born within the sound of those bells, in the mistaken belief that they toll in Bow Church in Tower Hamlets.' [read more]

Evening Standard, January 2009: 'Stay warm and set yourself up for the day ahead with our guide to the best places to eat porridge in the capital.' [read more]