Lady of Mystery

Just over a year ago a lady went into an Italian Restaurant opposite Homebase in North Finchley. She was negotiating the purchase of the restaurant and wanted to discuss this with the present owner. He asked her if she had thought of a name for her new venture, and she replied that she had. He said that there had been an English restaurant there many years before and that it had been called 'Lavender Lady'.

She thought that was a better name than she had thought of, so the restaurant opened, not with a new name, but with a very old one. It seems that the original 'Lavender Lady' started life before the last war and continued in business until the late 1950's or even early 1960's.

We first went there for a meal on the 10th of September '05 with six other members of our family as it was Margaret's birthday. We only went there because we had seen the film 'Ladies in Lavender'! We had a really super meal and were served by very friendly staff. I was surprised by the bill when it arrived because I was expecting to have to get a mortgage as there were seven of us dining! The reverse was the case and it was very reasonable indeed.

I am typing this having eaten there again for Sunday lunch today. We had a lovely roast dinner and dessert. The bill came to under £14 each, which for good food freshly cooked and eaten in very pleasant surroundings, was very reasonable. Of course had we been wine bibbers or caffeine addicts it would have cost a little more!

Did I get a discount for this article, or a free dinner? No! I just think that it is so good that more folk should know about it. Don't let 'Lavender Lady' remain a mystery!

Church Magazine of Trinity Church, North Finchley

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