Jade

Some days when the cold is a’ biting and the wind is a blowing through your bones like you were some living wind chime, you just want you some down right substantial home cookin’. That mama’s mac and cheese, stick to your bones kind of comfort food. This is how I felt when I went to Jade’s. I even adopted me a South Carolinian accent for the occasion.
Jade’s does a variety of foods from falafel to soup, from chili con carne to shepherd’s pie. The place has a ‘greasy spoon’ kind of feel with its Formica table tops and unassuming atmosphere. We ordered lentil and mash pie with veggies, chicken and broccoli with an I-​forget-​what sauce, and mango curry chicken. The portions were generous like your rich uncle on a shopping spree, the service was friendly like Winnie the Pooh and the food hit the target like Robin Hood on an A+ day. This ain’t no fine cuisine, but it’s so downright good and cozy that I think I’ll go play a jig on my harmonica.

Everybody always raves on about café jade– I have read loads of reviews about it, praising its fried breakfasts and calling it one of London’s best caffs. I’m not entirely convinced. It lacks the charm of most caffs, and is SO dark and dismal that I never want to sit in for more than 5 minutes.
It is similar to the Stockpot in its attitude to food– massive portions of hearty, honest food for under 5 pounds. The menu consists of chicken kiev, lasagne, beef, chicken and mushroom pies, shepherds pie and roast chicken. All come with beans/​chips or boiled vegetables.
The best thing about this café is its proximity to the market– it overlooks the cathedral half of the covered market and is a perfect place to get a cheap cup of tea or coffee on a cold day out in Borough.

It’s a little caf, Jade. With all the trimmings that you get with a good little caf. They have a counter opposite the drinks cabinet where they serve food. And all the seats are out the back.
The food’s fairly pricey for a café like this. But you get big portions, and it is really good with a really good selection on the menu.
There was something a bit strict about Jade when I went in. It was near closing time, and they were packing away. And all I did was ask for a sandwich, and the girl serving was a bit begruding when she had to stop what she was doing and make it for me. And they’ve got this funny sign on the window, where you must pay at least £4 between 12 and half 12. Just imagine if you didn’t see it and your selection came to £3.80 and you’d queued for ages, and got to the front, and they wouldn’t serve you, unless you bought a Wispa, just to bump it over £4. You’d be a bit miffed.
But Jade’s nice enough

A café situated in the heart of Borough Market, serving sandwiches, salads and pasta both to eat in and to take away. The food is essentially hearty fare, tasty and filling rather than refined, and the interior is definitely that of a busy cafeteria. There’s a rear entrance into the market area, opposite Southwark Cathedral, as well.
The prices are incredible for the area — it’s possible to eat here, sitting down, for under a fiver, by choosing the specials of the day, which include things like beef stroganoff, vegetable curry, falafel wraps with salad. It’s very popular with customers both eating in and buying take-​aways. Service is brisk and efficient rather than friendly — but then, it’s busy and what do you expect for £5?
The only real downside is the rather grim toilet, downstairs and through what seems to be an adjunct of the kitchen.