| Author |
Message |
Broadbeanster
Joined 12-02-2007
| | Posted on Monday, 02 April, 2007 - 12:47 pm: | |
I wondered if anyone could recommend a good restaurant in the area... I'm a vegetarian and my partner is very much not a vegetarian so something that caters for both would be great... we've tried the usuals - Babur (great but too expensive), Kafe La for example, but any other recommendations would be great.
Also we haven't been out for ages so something a little special would also be great.
Thanks in advance. |
Robwinton
Joined 07-06-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 02 April, 2007 - 12:55 pm: | |
Have you tried Barcelona Tapas? It isn't "fine dining" but the variety of dishes would mean you could both get interesting alternatives.
Yune does some pretty nice dishes, although haven't tried it for dinner.
I presume you have already tried the Dartmouth Arms? Short menu might not offer too many veggie options.
My wife and I had a nice meal at Joanna's up in Crystal Palace (a little way away, but easy enough on the bus) but that too might be a bit pricey. No idea on their vegetarian options though. |
Michael
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 02 April, 2007 - 02:19 pm: | |
Thai Orchard appears to have a good range of vegetarian food on the menu. That reminds me I must go for a meal there soon. |
Pat
Joined 12-11-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, 03 April, 2007 - 10:56 am: | |
Yune and Thai Orchard both have a wide selection of dishes so will offer a choice for vegetarians, we usually order a vegetable dish and both do great ones. You can get pak choi in garlic sauce at Yune - not on the menu but very fresh every time, and we had something called something like "morning glory" (I think) at Thai Orchard - was lovely. Both have excellent friendly polite service as well so would be great for a celebration. |
Forester
Joined 04-02-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, 03 April, 2007 - 02:20 pm: | |
pat- think you are talking about fried morning glory with chillis, pad boon fi dang which translates literally as 'fried morning glory traffic lights'. |
Pvp
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 03 April, 2007 - 03:43 pm: | |
I like to have a morning glory every morning. |
Thaiorchard
Joined 18-01-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, 03 April, 2007 - 03:49 pm: | |
Hi Forester....Thanks for your translation. : )
'Fi Dang' in general means 'Red traffic lights', however, in the case 'Fi Dang' indicates the way we cook it with hot and high temperature with a red flame underneath a wok. It also means a 'hot/spicy' dish as it contains chillis.
BTW, we sometimes do vegetarian version of many (meat) dishes for customers when they ask. So, please ask our staff for this. |
Lola
Joined 24-11-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, 03 April, 2007 - 04:24 pm: | |
Broadbeanster, have you given the Honor Oak Tandoori a try? It has a great menu with lots of veggie options and the prices are v. reasonable. I am really fond of it - relaxed atmosphere and great service. |
Woody
Joined 31-10-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, 03 April, 2007 - 08:34 pm: | |
Not in SE23 but close by in Brockley the Thai restaurant in Foxberry Road is superb and BYO last time we went. |
Ooperlooper
Joined 28-06-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 09 April, 2007 - 12:28 am: | |
I went to the Dewaniam Bangladeshi restaurant today for lunch, having read the posting by Adam in this forum a couple of years ago:
"Always a favourite is the Dewaniam Tandoori at 133 Stanstead Road. They have won loads of awards over the years and always seem to rank really high in the national curry awards."
Perhaps it's under new management, but the food was distincly ordinary (unless you count the extra generous lashings of sugar and butter). Okay, so it was the lunch buffet, but there was also the shoddy service, with waiters unable to say what was in the dishes on offer and incomprehensibly asking to take away dishes in some sort of creole that was only 10% English, then hovering around the table pushing us to leave even though there were plenty of tables still empty.
Why do some restaurants do that?
Inside (http://www.insiderestaurant.co.uk/) in Greenwich is outstanding and does a bargain Sunday lunch for about twenty quid. Bit far though. Does anyone know a restaurant like Inside around here? |
Forester
Joined 04-02-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 09 April, 2007 - 11:06 am: | |
Golden Honeyed Chicken served at Yune is Forest Hill's best kept secret. |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 10 April, 2007 - 08:11 am: | |
Seems to be a shortage of restuarants serving British or even Italian Food in the Area. |
Nasaroc
Joined 03-06-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 11 April, 2007 - 12:25 pm: | |
The Dartmouth Arms has great contemporary British food, and often has lunchtime offers. |
Ghis
Joined 02-01-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, 11 April, 2007 - 12:53 pm: | |
The Old Bank near Honor Oak Train Station?
Tapastry?
My other half is a vegetarian too and we go to both and enjoy them. |
Ghis
Joined 02-01-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, 11 April, 2007 - 12:58 pm: | |
Friends have been to Le Querce in Brockley Rise and have been very enthusiastic. Just found this:
http://www.hardens.com/articles/article_details.ph p?type=cityam&id=220
So I guess we will be trying it soon too |
Fhssecretary
Joined 12-10-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, 11 April, 2007 - 01:34 pm: | |
Well, that is a surprise. Another one to add to the list of "Outwardly unprepossessing but surprisingly good SE23 restaurants"? Any more experiences? |
Robwinton
Joined 07-06-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, 11 April, 2007 - 01:51 pm: | |
Well, I'd like to hear what others have to say but I must say that despite really wanting this place (Le Querce) to be a success (I love Italian food and would welcome more options in the area) I have been distinctly underwhelmed in my three visits (yes, I gave it more than one chance).
This would not, on that form, appear on my list of recommended establishments. |
Elizabeth25
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 11 April, 2007 - 02:34 pm: | |
I am sorry to say (some may disagree) but Thai Orchard would not be on my recomended list either. My husband and I gave this place three tries, and one take away, and it was disappointing every time. It is a shame, but I think the idea and sight have potential. Then again, it may have just been teething problems (bad prawns). So, we may try it again in a few months.
Let it be known, the service was excellent. It was the food, that we found under par. |
Kingkong
Joined 22-10-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, 11 April, 2007 - 04:13 pm: | |
I was at Le Querce at the weekend and I must say I enjoyed it very much - they claim that all pasta, bread and deserts are made on site at not bought in, and I for one believe them on this point.
I had a very simple gnocchi with tomato and basil which was delicious, gnocchi is simple but actually quite hard to get right. I think had calves liver with spinach and a layered potato and onion cake, again, very simple and full of flavour. It reminded me of the often very simple yet flavoursome food you get in the countryside in Italy. I was impressed and will be going backc. |
Les
Joined 28-01-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, 11 April, 2007 - 07:12 pm: | |
I've tried the Thai Orchard three times, and been very happy with the food and service. |
Tersie
Joined 04-02-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, 11 April, 2007 - 11:36 pm: | |
I think the food at Tapastry is great and there is a freindly atmosphere there. I am also a fan of the the Rye Hotel Peckham Rye, although not in SE23 it is a good pub with good food. Also I had a great thai meal tonight at the corner cafe in Northcote road, which is a BYO, which is a bonus. Not tried La Querce, which is a stones throw from me, but the prices to me a bit seem steep for a local restaurant, will watch any reviews with interest. |
Andy
Joined 23-02-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 13 April, 2007 - 08:55 am: | |
An interesting one is Numidie in Westow Hill, Crystal Palace. Tagines and things. A reasonable amount of vegetarian options are available although, strangely they mostly seem to be based around aubergines. Very reasonable prices and quite a good atmosphere. |
Lola
Joined 24-11-2006
| | Posted on Friday, 13 April, 2007 - 12:46 pm: | |
I am filled with optimism about Le Querce as it looked rubbish when it opened and a friend told me the food matched the decor, but by the sounds of Kingkong, I think I'll give it a try. |
Jane
Joined 20-01-2007
| | Posted on Monday, 23 April, 2007 - 12:48 pm: | |
After the recommendation in this thread we tried Le Querce last week and found it excellent. Our fussy youngest loved the parma ham and hot cheese starter (though moaned about the delicious olive oil sprinkled on top). The mozzarrella, tomato and basil was superb - very sweet tomatoes - and the other antipasti were good. The home-made pasta disappeared very quickly as did the pizza and I had the best sea bass in a very long time (far better than the same fish on the French coast this weekend).
We will definitely go back and highly recommend it. Service was charming and helpful and wines good value. Oh yes nearly forgot the gorgeous desserts - lemon tart to die for...
We also like Tapastry for its atmosphere but were not impressed by Bank when eating there some years ago - has anyone eaten there recently? Perhaps it's better now.
Also highly recommend Yune in Dartmouth Road - good quality and delightful service. They deliver really quickly too. We were the first to cash in our 10 delivery tokens for £25 off the price!
Babur is also great and of course Dartmouth Arms. Interested to see the recommendation of the Thai BYO in Brockley. Will give that a try. |
Ringingcod
Joined 22-06-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 23 April, 2007 - 01:24 pm: | |
Le Querce is excellent - impressed every time. But I agree that the prices are at the upper end for a local restaurant.
I'd love to know where the pompous fool who wrote the City AM review lives. |
Tersie
Joined 04-02-2007
| | Posted on Monday, 23 April, 2007 - 06:05 pm: | |
I will give le querce a go now too based on this feedback. Has anyone tried the italian in Brockley? Lantera I think it is called. Also had a great meal at the honor oak the other day - highly recommended! |
Laura
Joined 19-07-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 23 April, 2007 - 06:36 pm: | |
Yep went to Lantera about a year ago - really nice food, simply done, as I remember.
I must add my voice to those saying Yune is great - had some take-out last night, and it was basically downright delicious. Mega-fast delivery, too! |
Sandy
Joined 08-10-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 23 April, 2007 - 07:49 pm: | |
Went to the Old Bank on Friday and had (as usual) an excellent meal. It's the best local eating place, in my view, not rock bottom prices but good value for what you get and we do enjoy watching the cooking! |
Pat
Joined 12-11-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, 24 April, 2007 - 01:04 pm: | |
Went to the Dartmouth Arms again on Saturday and had the best meal I have had there for ages: rabbit ravioli followed by skate wing. Partner had saffron risotto with a big squid on top followed by a barnsley chop - was better than the chops in a well-known central London establishment which we went off in the last year or two. Very highly recommended. |
Pat
Joined 12-11-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, 24 April, 2007 - 01:06 pm: | |
of course I have just realised that mentioning big squid and lamb chops is no help at all to a vegetarian, but they had two vegetarian main courses - the crispy spatzle is great, have had that before! |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, 26 April, 2007 - 09:23 pm: | |
In the old days when we used to dine regularly Crystal Palace was a good place to dine - I've heard there are even more places there now. Sorry not to be able to recommend any individual place. Much less pretentious than East Dulwich! Only place would reccomend there is Franklins, although most of the curry houses are good. |
Roz
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 26 April, 2007 - 11:24 pm: | |
Joanna's in Crystal Palace( or for the geographically correct, Upper Norwood) always comes up trumps for us- reliable not too expensive food and service. Can't recommend anywhere else but there is an Italian up there thats well thought of, can't think of the name. Like the Tandoori Nights food in Lordship Lane but the Pistachio Club does more regular indian food which is very good- try the vegetarian thali. |
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 27 April, 2007 - 11:52 pm: | |
I've always found Annika the curry house on London Road opposite Sainsburys to be decent. It deserves to be doing better business - the staff are friendly and you can bring your own booze. They do a wonderful sag bhaji too.
I'm afraid I've not been at all impressed with Yume - my experience was in marked contrast to those expressed here. Nice staff but that's about all. |
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, 28 April, 2007 - 12:02 am: | |
..forgot to add that Annika is really reasonably priced too. Very good value ! Nothing ever seems to be too hot either so good for those of you who prefer milder to medium hot - but everything tastes fresh and very nicely flavoured. |
Alexandra
Joined 09-02-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, 29 April, 2007 - 07:42 pm: | |
I recommend Toad's Mouth Too on Brockley Road - the staff were genuinely friendly and the food tasted very fresh. The whole place has a comforting "home-made" feel about it. |
Johnc
Joined 09-01-2007
| | Posted on Monday, 30 April, 2007 - 08:07 am: | |
Not tried Annika but they have their own website
http://www.anikarestaurant.co.uk/ |
Vipes
Joined 10-10-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 30 April, 2007 - 01:20 pm: | |
From the website:
"One of the finest restaurant in London. Located in Forest Hill, London, UK .This very popular restaurant now has established its name and reputation as uniquely special in London.
Anika Restaurant offers superb Indian food, specialising in south Indian vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian . The skilful and individual use of seasonings and flavorings by their top class chefs ensures clients enjoy the finest Indian dishes.
If you are looking for Indian , vegetarian and continental food in london , then come to Anika Restaurant for a delightful food and culinary experience."
This poorly writen bombast betrays an approach to their business nearly as slipshod as the badly written neon paper signs that multiply in their windows every couple of weeks. Curiously it doesn't inspire me to venture in and eat. My loss perhaps. |
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 04 May, 2007 - 01:24 am: | |
Vipes, maybe they don't do themselves many favours with the presentation but the food is nice enough. |
Vipes
Joined 10-10-2006
| | Posted on Friday, 04 May, 2007 - 10:13 am: | |
I'll admit to the possibility of being blinkered Seeformiles but when I can't see the kitchen I have to go on what I can see.
Actually noticed yesterday that the rubbishy signs have come down. |
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 04 May, 2007 - 04:05 pm: | |
Maybe they've seen this forum? |
Bigjulie
Joined 09-04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 08 May, 2007 - 11:20 pm: | |
Having three small children I don't get to eat in the local restaurants very often but I have just been to Le Querce for an early evening pizza with the kids. As soon as we arrived the childrens order was taken so that they were served with food quickly. This was a great move because young kids (4-6 years old) are not very good at waiting if they are hungry. They take longer to eat as well. The Pizzas had a beautifully thin and crispy base - they were really delicious. My partner had interesting fish. Great chocolate ice cream followed the Pizzas and the fish was chased by aubergine ice cream. Very nice too.
Good service, a light and fruity house white, and all in a non-chain restaurant where the kids were welcome. |
