We are a family owned and run business. Anthony & his team of chefs make all the fresh, simple and seasonal dishes in house; bread, salad dressings, lemonade and all. Rachel does marketing, design & website stuff at home and organises special events such as Opera and wine nights. Passionate about food and service we eat out whenever possible. Our heroes, heroines and influences are Zucca, Jo-Jo's, St John, Elliots, Mrs Beeton, Ottolenghi, Quality Chop House to name but a few. We welcome feedback of all kinds, so please get in touch if there is something you would like to mention! info@cafebelow.co.uk
Behind the scenes at Café Below
ARCHITECTURE, NURSERY RHYMES & COCKNEYS
Café Below is situated in the atmospheric thousand year old crypt of St Mary-le -Bow Church in the City of London.
The church houses the famous Bow Bells; legend has it those born within the sound of the bells are a true cockney.
Dick Whittington was beckoned back to London by the same bells and they are mentioned in the famous nursery rhyme.
The crypt has walls dating back to William the Conqueror with a few finishing touches by Christopher Wren.
It is, according to one source, the oldest of its kind in London
ORANGES & LEMONS & BOW BELLS
Oranges and lemons,
Say the bells of St. Clement’s.
You owe me five farthings,
Say the bells of St. Martin’s.
When will you pay me?
Say the bells of Old Bailey.
When I grow rich,
Say the bells of Shoreditch.
When will that be?
Say the bells of Stepney.
I do not know,
Says the great bell of Bow.
Here comes a candle to light you to bed,
And here comes a chopper to chop off your head!
DICK WHITTINGTON & BOW BELLS
Dick Whittington’s story made famous through children’s story & pantomime, recounts how the young orphan sought streets paved of gold in London. After failure to find his fortune he fled, then turned once again to the capital when
he heard the Bow Bells ring out
‘Turn again Dick Whittington, Three times Lord Mayor of London’