Blighty — Restaurant in London

I stumbled into this place one afternoon and had a nice coffee. Initially I thought it was celebrating 'being British' but when I realised it's commonwealth concept I felt a bit sick. I searched the net and found the article written by it's owner Chris Evans and it's site's bold claims of 'celebrating the commonwealth through the medium of brunch'. I think the key thing missed here, that despite well intention, the effect is so racist. Of course, I am not saying this coffee shop is overtly hostile but it just represents the structural inequalities that are so subconscious, alot can't recognise it. The commonwealth's history is hardly ever mentioned e.g. UK school curriculums so this coffee shops 'celebration' just continues the polarised narrative and blinds it's customers (from a particular demographic) that it ever was a bad thing? The response article was sadly so privileged and defensive rather than an open acceptance how this is causing distress to those more conscious. Of course, enslavement and theft does not sell coffee and it's 'giving back to the community' schemes are almost arguments of 'I am not racist because...'. I again don't dispute the well intention but denial of the effect of your actions is so oppressive. You might as well colonise again, although opening one cafe representing per country rife with cultural appropriation is pretty much reenacting that anyway. I call for Blighty to make more overt acknowledgements of the commonwealth's history to it's customers, acknowledge it's part in structural discrimination e.g. racism, classism (esp being in Islington) and stop the cultural appropriation! I am hoping to see a change and until then am asking my network (including white people) not to support...

Came with family for breakfast and had a really disappointing experience. From our arrival the man on the til made us feel very unwelcome, almost trying to talk us out of being there. The resturaunt was busy and we were happy to wait and weren’t in a rush. The man on the til was clearly stressed at how busy the resturaunt was, and did his best to make it our problem. When we walked in he said ‘guys were really really really busy’ with a tone that suggested he didn’t want us to stay, and when we told him we were happy to wait he rolled his eyes. He told us he couldn’t take a food order from us, then 5 minutes later was taking food orders again from other customers. We decided not to order food, so I went to order a pastry to make it easier for him, and after I tapped my card it didn’t work first time. He said rather aggressively ‘it didn’t work, it didn’t work.’ I said ok, and lifted my phone to pay again. ‘ he continued to say ‘it didn’t work’ and started waving in my face, which was totally unnecessary. It was the energy of a bouncer talking to a drunk in the cue, but at 10am in a coffee shop. Essentially, the resturaunt got busy, and he wasn’t able to hide his stress, and proceeded to take it out on us, clearly frustrated we were even there. The rest of the staff were great, it was very much the individual who ruined the experience, and will probably stop us...

We live in Inverness and had managed to get our hands on a couple of tickets to see Arsenal at home so a decent pre match feed was on the cards after our morning flight.

Having searched the net we came across Blighty Cafe in Finsbury that had decent reviews so we gave it a try.

Blighty is an easy walk from railway station circa 5-10mins.

On arrival staff greeted us at door and made us feel very welcome and we took a seat.

Menu had already been checked out so two full English, an OJ, cappuccino and a beer.

Food was ordered at counter and we waited patiently but not for long as plates arrived within 10 mins.

Breakfast was very well presented and nice and hot on arrival. Coffee was lovely and OJ was, although not fresh, generous in amount and tasty. I was told the beer was very nice also.

The food was very nice, loved the bacon and sour dough bread with the eggs, sausage tasty and well cooked (would have liked another one) and same for black pudding, mushrooms and tomato. Beans I think were canned but good none the less. We also had bone marrow on the plate which just wasn't for me, my son ate his but didn't really like taste or texture but hey its a taste thing and I'm sure others may love it.

Overall a very good experience and yes would return if down that way again. Definitely recommend and to finish prices are very, very...