Mildreds

Far removed from the chicken restaurant chain Mildred's operated by Joan Crawford's Mildred Pierce character in the classic 1945 film noir melodrama, this Soho institution — started by Jane Muir and Diane Thomas (1961—2001) in 1988 — has always attracted a lesbian and gay clientele. In 2002 the restaurant moved across Soho from Greek St to nearby Lexington St. Buzzy, a bit noisy, not quite comfy-cosy and often requiring a wait for a table, it nevertheless offers fresh, adventurous and tasty international vegetarian dishes, including yummy veggie burgers, tagines with cous cous, curries and detox salads. And inexpensive too. Mysteriously there is no apostrophe in the name of the restaurant. And no bookings either. In late 2015 Mildreds opened a second outlet in Camden Town (9 Jamestown Rd) — including Sunday opening hours — and in February 2016 a third new branch followed, at 200 Pentonville Rd in Kings Cross. Then a fourth, just off Dalston Lane in Hackney. Plus 79 St Martin's Lane on the border of Covent Garden. Open Sundays as of May 2019.