I drove past Salmon’s Lane today and took a glance at the road where I spent a lot of my childhood. Most of the old shops are no longer there. Good Friends – the corner double fronted shop has turned into a builders shop.
I miss daddy’s restaurant. For those of you who know the East End (of London) well, you will know that the first China Town was based in the East India Docks. There is in fact a dragon there now by Westferry DLR – for those of you wondering why – here is a piece of history for you to read about…
Though we are now no longer in Limehouse, it was a place where I spent most of my childhood. It is now very different to what I had known. Now Narrow Street is full of Riverside apartments occupied by the Bankers who work in Canary Wharf. When I was a child those same luxury apartments were disused warehouses where my neighbour and I would play “hide and seek”. The park which used to have the vicious dogs running free – were this afternoon full of “yummy mummies” in the latest pushchairs.
The thing I really miss is Good Friends – my father was there when I was in Primary School, I loved home time as we de-toured past the restaurant en-route home to say “hi” to daddy. He was a waiter there at the time, so we were only allowed in when the boss was not around. I remembered when I was allowed behind the “secret red curtain” – it seemed such a treat!
Daddy was there when I was in secondary school, by now daddy owned the place. I had all my birthday parties there. That was the meeting place where mum will pick us up. I would pick Cassie up from nursery and cross the busy Commercial Road to get to Good Friends.
Daddy was there when I was at Uni, I had my first car and parked it in the restaurant space every morning – then went out by tube to Uni. It was a great place for lunch after a tiresome morning of lectures on Economic Development and I even took a perspective boyfriend back to the restaurant.
I remember “hating” all the special calender dates – such as Christmas, NY, Valentines, Mother’s Day etc… it meant I had to help out! Working often till 1 or 2am in the morning. Those were the best days of Good Friends. Us and the staff had great fun together. The drivers, the cooks, the bar, the waitresses… and me – putting in “fake orders” so the head chef would cook my favourite dish – then the other waitresses and waiters would hide in the pantry and eat it! Yummy and delicious was the only way to describe it. We even got three Egon Ronay awards! I remember going to the awards dinner on behalf of Good Friends at the Britannia Hotel in Docklands.
Daddy was still there at Good Friends when I was landed with my first Investment Banking job. I used to work horribly long hours and by definition of being an Investment Banker – you ate all your meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) at your desk! I remember taking comfort that daddy was just a phone call away – and I will call to order all my favourite dishes and have them delivered to me at work! I still remember the summer evenings where I can get out of work early and walk to Salmon Lane to be greeted by Daddy’s trademark smile! Whenever me and my colleagues or clients came – daddy brought on the full menu and we can barely walk out of the restaurant being so full.
Daddy then suffered poor health with him being on his feet all day – 365 days in a year! He finally retired and sold the restaurant when I was well into my career as a Banker! He did not see me or my sisters being the sort that would have taken it over – how I have learnt to regret that now… (but too late)! I am no longer a banker and would have loved to run the restaurant for him. It was really sad for me when the restaurant sold. I still remember taking a taxi from Canary Wharf to Salmon Lane for the handover – me walking into the restaurant in my full suit and stilettos that very last time.
I do miss Good Friends – that was almost 5 years ago. Daddy is now very much a happy Grandpa with Lewis and spends most of his time gardening or looking after the family pets… I see him now a lot more than I ever did in my childhood. Good Friends was part of me and my growing up and I can not wait until the day I can tell Lewis what a great restaurantaur his grandpa was!
