Preserved in Lavender

A restaurant with a 'time twin', their name bridging the 70 years between them: that's not the only unusual thing about Lavender Lady.

The restaurant, in North Finchley High Road, opened in May 2005. Owner Joan Ferguson, from the Isle of Lewis, in the Hebrides, wants Lavender Lady to be an oasis of calm for people to relax, away from London's "buzzy madness".

Joan had another name planned, but discovered that over 70 years ago the same site had been a restaurant called Lavender Lady. "My chosen name went out of the window and that was it" she said.

Joan learned more about her 'predecessor' from the older diners, who recall its original decor of Lloyd Loom chairs and lavender gingham tablecloths and curtains.

The food is British cuisine with a twist. For example, the black pudding, from Uist, is made with lamb's blood instead of the usual pig's blood. The wholly organic ingredients make a real difference to traditional favourites. The sirloin steak is tender and flavoursome, with superb homemade chunky chips. The sticky toffee pudding is heaven on a plate: a moist, light sponge with a generous amount of toffee sauce mixing happily with the accompanying vanilla ice-cream.

The restaurant serves lunches, dinners, English breakfasts and afternoon teas. There are vegetarian and gluten-free menu choices and the lactose-intolerant are also catered for, with soya and rice milk available.

Joan herself trained as a chef, but prefers to work front of house. She and waitress Elizabeth work hard to ensure all the diners are happy. Asked to sum up Lavender Lady, Joan says "The whole place is about passion, caring and homeliness"

Viviana Lotti writing for The Archer Feb 2006

644 High Road, North Finchley, London, N12 0NL
Tel/Fax 020 8446 1713 www.lavenderlady.biz