Nice nosh!

Posted on 9/4/09 by Abi Siri (No comments)

[caption id="attachment_2800" align="aligncenter" width="525" caption="Mario's"] Mario's [/caption]

Mario has been serving up great food and atmopshere since 1989 and us local can't seem to get enough. Hidden away, off the beaten track of Kentish Town road, the cafe is nestled between houses on the very pretty and pictureque, tree-lined Kelly street.

This cafe has passed down through three generations of the family with a slight gap in between (when it had a short life as a Chinese takeaway).

[caption id="attachment_2803" align="aligncenter" width="525" caption="Cappuccino machine"][/caption]

It was the first place locally to have a cappuccino machine and this alongside its Anglo/Italian cuisine has made it a favorite ever since. The place always has and continues to be a gathering point for creative and arty types, musicians and locals alike. You never know who you'll be sitting next to as you slirp your tea and tuck into a your brekkie.

[caption id="attachment_2807" align="aligncenter" width="525" caption="Mario's!"][/caption]

What makes Marios so different?

Why do people keep flocking back (often long after they've moved away from the area)?

That's easy. It's the atmosphere, the friendly faces, the great conversation to be had, the art on the walls and of course the great food (don't forget the the real coffee). Having eatten here myself for the good part of 20 years, I can tell you it truly is a social, friendly cafe with a unique sense of community and a vibe that no other cafe in the area can come close to, in my opinion. You'll almost always see a familiar face, be greeted with a friendly hello from the boss and get some funny banter on the go.

Mario puts the cafe's success down to: 'Cappuccinos made with 20 years experience, food as good as Carluccio's at a fraction of the price, the real diversity of customers and of course the great atmosphere.'

I challenge you to find a more welcoming place to wile away some time over a coffee, chew the fat over a bacon sarnie or a Parmigiana (what ever floats your boat). I won't name names but you just never know what well known faces you'll see when you walk through the door, from his longest standing customer of 20 years to some of the local, well known musicians who regularly frequent the cafe.

[caption id="attachment_2815" align="aligncenter" width="525" caption="Mario's menu"][/caption]

Mario's Cafe, 6 Kelly Street, London NW1 8PH

by Guest Editor Milly Cundall

Nice nosh!

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Posted by Abi Siri

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