Protheroe House, home to the Larder. Image: André Ainsworth
‘Are you open to the public?’ This was the question that I overheard most frequently on my visit to The Larder a few weeks ago, during its first week of trading.
Inside the Larder. Image: André Ainsworth
This bright and airy café is indeed open to all and, on that particular sunny day, the doors were open wide and the tables dragged out onto the pavement.
Located just behind Tottenham Police Station off the High Road, The Larder is a café serving home-cooked comfort food, cakes and coffee – but with a twist. All of its profits are reinvested to fund assisted-living provision.
The café is located on the ground floor of a new-build senior-living centre, Protheroe House, which is perhaps why there was initial confusion as to whether it was a public café of not.
Who you are helping at the Larder. Image André Ainsworth
Both café and the centre are run by One Housing Group, a not-for-profit organisation that provides assisted living and quality housing for those struggling to afford a place to live.
The café is modern and stylishly decorated and reasonably priced. I ordered the Dish of the Day which was lasagne served with green salad and a great chewy garlic bread and cost just £4.95.
I also tried the freshly-made Picante Pizza at £6 – one of around eight varieties on offer. Jacket potatoes, salads and panini also grace the lunch menu while fry-ups and bacon butties serve the breakfast crowd.
As well as the standard tea and coffee options, the café is licensed and sells wine and beer.
It’s well worth checking out this café and supporting this social enterprise. Isn’t your daily coffee all the more satisfying when you know it’s also going towards helping others?
Words: Julie Ann Andreshak
Photography: André Ainsworth