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Red Room HOP

Author Message
Deanos
Joined 01-12-2005
Posted on Tuesday, 07 February, 2006 - 02:24 pm:   

Does anyone know if this place has closed down for good. Damned shame if it has
Domc
Joined 17-03-2005
Posted on Tuesday, 07 February, 2006 - 02:49 pm:   

Thought that myself but read on beer in the evening website or another one of those that they are just on holiday and opening again soon.

Mixed reviews of late though.
Deanos
Joined 01-12-2005
Posted on Tuesday, 07 February, 2006 - 02:54 pm:   

I'd be surprised if it has closed. It's always heaving when I walk past. Well, as heaving as a place the size of a broom cupboard can be!
Megan
Joined 05-03-2004
Posted on Tuesday, 07 February, 2006 - 03:40 pm:   

no they are closed until mid feb they normally have a months holiday after christmas
Hoppy
Joined 05-12-2005
Posted on Tuesday, 07 February, 2006 - 06:40 pm:   

I'm all for it like, but have you wonder about a place that sells 132 tequila types, but you have to have your 'pint' in two glasses. I mean come on....
Ophelia
Joined 18-03-2005
Posted on Wednesday, 08 February, 2006 - 10:55 am:   

Hope it reopens. Was a good place to go. Liked their home made burgers - meat and veggie. Much better service than somewhere near there with a more extensive menu. I think one of the owners is from Vancouver so that could explain the logic of a long holiday.
Jo108
Joined 03-03-2005
Posted on Friday, 10 February, 2006 - 08:33 pm:   

this place sounds interesting, assuming it re-opens. Where is it?
Deanos
Joined 01-12-2005
Posted on Monday, 13 February, 2006 - 10:26 am:   

It's on the parade of shops next to Honor Oak station. It's very small and very nice.
Theotherbrian
Joined 28-03-2005
Posted on Friday, 17 February, 2006 - 06:05 pm:   

I tried to book a table by email in January. The owner replied saying that they would reopen in February after carrying out "modifications". Hope they do as this was a real find - an excellent local restaurant with a nice relaxed atmosphere.
Captainconnolly
Joined 03-03-2006
Posted on Friday, 03 March, 2006 - 11:00 am:   

I'm afraid it has closed permanently and all the equipment has been sold. Rumour is that the existing traditional shops and cafes have been complaining to the landlord about the 'new' restaurants, bars etc as it is putting them out of business so he has been putting their rents up. This is a real shame, it was a great local place.
Hilltopgeneral
Joined 24-03-2004
Posted on Friday, 03 March, 2006 - 12:18 pm:   

That doesn't really make sense as if what you sayis correct it's the new restaurant that has gone out of business. Whose rent has the landlord put up?
Note to struggling traditional shops and cafes: why not sort yourselves out rather than complain about the competition. You will only suffer at their hands if they are better, in which case you deserve to.
Captainconnolly
Joined 03-03-2006
Posted on Friday, 03 March, 2006 - 12:20 pm:   

Its the new restaurants, shops, bars the landlord has put the rent up for to keep his old tenants happy. As for your note to the trads, I agree completely.
Megan
Joined 05-03-2004
Posted on Friday, 03 March, 2006 - 02:06 pm:   

actually the owner of red rooms moved to brighton a year ago and the journey was starting to take its toll. he had a buyer for red rooms but that fell through in january, I don't understand how a working mans cafe and a few sweet shops would moan about a bistro putting them out of business.
Jbird
Joined 13-02-2006
Posted on Friday, 03 March, 2006 - 05:34 pm:   

This is a tragedy - I loved the Red Rooms and now they are gone.
Les
Joined 28-01-2004
Posted on Friday, 03 March, 2006 - 08:30 pm:   

Jbird - agree with you - the Red Rooms were a real sanctuary for some of us over-worked types. If there's anyone listening BRING BACK THE RED ROOMS.
Simon
Joined 18-07-2005
Posted on Tuesday, 07 March, 2006 - 09:06 am:   

HOP seems to be going down hill. That's the third closure I've heard about in a year. Odd since once the ELL opens it could become a quite a desirable little area. At least Barbur has re-opened but it still needs a decent pub/bar.
Hilltopgeneral
Joined 24-03-2004
Posted on Tuesday, 07 March, 2006 - 09:53 am:   

Think it may suffer from a lack of "critical mass". There are a couple of eating options but you can't really make a night out of it as there isn't really anywhere to go for a drink or anywhere convenientto go on to from there, except back to FH or up to London Bridge. There is one place but it's got the worst layout ever - inefficient, and with nowhere really to sit unless you are eating. One of the other places closed because they picked a really bad site for it, and I doubt I was alone in not even noticing it for a few months and again the layout wasn't great.
Deanos
Joined 01-12-2005
Posted on Monday, 27 March, 2006 - 02:39 pm:   

Difinately closed down. There is currently a notice from the bailif on the door. Bad news.
Jbird
Joined 13-02-2006
Posted on Monday, 26 June, 2006 - 05:05 pm:   

Just did some mild snooping with the landlord, Willmotts, and found out that the 'Red Rooms' unit has been re-let as commercial premises. He wasn't able to tell me whether it will be a restaurant / bar again, but still, at least it's not lying empty. I also noticed that the site of ill-concieved Casa Tequilla has been let as well. Could HOP be back on the up...?
Theotherbrian
Joined 28-03-2005
Posted on Monday, 26 June, 2006 - 10:21 pm:   

Local gossip is that the ex Red Rooms might be lined up as some form of chip shop. Oh yes and it is said that rent rises courtesy of the rapacious landlord are making many of the local businesses question whether they can carry on. Never mind though, I'm sure that poorly converted shops to flats make more money.
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
Posted on Tuesday, 27 June, 2006 - 03:06 pm:   

You can buy a whole shop near where I live for £120,000. You cannot buy a flat for that price.
I assume that people make a large profit out of such conversions.
Hilltopgeneral
Joined 24-03-2004
Posted on Tuesday, 27 June, 2006 - 03:19 pm:   

Yes, I think that's safe to assume. Normally the obstacle is the council refusing to give planning, as shops do not as a rule make very good houses. Lewisham clearly isn't bothered though.
Bosco
Joined 16-07-2004
Posted on Tuesday, 27 June, 2006 - 05:17 pm:   

This one about rapacious landlords always puzzles me when it gets mentioned on this site. Surely these local businesses have leases and generally leases have rent review provisions. Rent only tends to get reviewed every 5 years so the landlord cannot simply put the rent up if he feels like it. Equally, the rent review provisions of the lease usually have a mecahnism whereby if the new rent is not agreed an independent surveyor is appointed to determine the open market rent which should be payable. A lot of old leases have upward only rent review clauses - these are relatively unusual these days and I think (although my memory on this is hazy) those clauses can be challenged as being unreasonable.

If these local businesses don't have leases, more fool them, and if they simply accept rent hikes without checking their leases then even bigger fools them.
Jbird
Joined 13-02-2006
Posted on Wednesday, 28 June, 2006 - 09:18 am:   

I'll be so depressed if it becomes a chip shop.
Hilltopgeneral
Joined 24-03-2004
Posted on Wednesday, 28 June, 2006 - 10:09 am:   

What if it's a "posh chippy" like the Sea Cow on Lordhsip Lane?
Megan
Joined 05-03-2004
Posted on Wednesday, 28 June, 2006 - 10:17 am:   

but there is a fish & chip shop opposite. I would love a sea cow type chippy to open, but i don't see the point of two in one road
Jbird
Joined 13-02-2006
Posted on Wednesday, 28 June, 2006 - 10:26 am:   

I guess I could hold off on the self immolation if it was a posh chippy...
Crash
Joined 18-07-2006
Posted on Thursday, 20 July, 2006 - 09:32 am:   

The Red Room will be reopened as a Tapas bar within a few month's by Jason from McClarens
Jbird
Joined 13-02-2006
Posted on Thursday, 20 July, 2006 - 09:52 am:   

Mmmmmmmm. Tapas.
Deanos
Joined 01-12-2005
Posted on Thursday, 20 July, 2006 - 09:59 am:   

I could cope with that I suppose.
Jem
Joined 28-03-2006
Posted on Thursday, 20 July, 2006 - 01:21 pm:   

thats great that its being taken over, but please don't let him paint it orange and black as mclarens was!
Hoppy
Joined 05-12-2005
Posted on Sunday, 23 July, 2006 - 11:28 am:   

Excellent. Thanks for the news Crash
Djnever
Joined 09-04-2006
Posted on Wednesday, 26 July, 2006 - 01:07 pm:   

Has anyone been to bar equal? I thought that was a great bar, FH should take note and produce something of that style. Along with the Italian restaurant on the corner and the alleged tapas bar, HOP is certainly on the up I'd say.
Catherine
Joined 06-04-2005
Posted on Thursday, 03 August, 2006 - 03:50 pm:   

Yes, I have been to bar equal, and was impressed with the cocktails (they used to do £4 cocktails on Sundays....not sure if they still do). Thought the food looked a bit overpriced, but that was before the demise of the Red Room. The Old Bank is a great place for a meal that doesn't break the bank (pardon the pun), but the service can be really slow - some friends of mine once got through 2 bottles of wine (one of them free...) before eating anything! Tapas I hear you say? Bring it on!
Hoppy
Joined 05-12-2005
Posted on Tuesday, 22 August, 2006 - 10:27 am:   

work has started on refurb
Tapastry
Joined 10-09-2006
Posted on Thursday, 14 September, 2006 - 11:22 am:   

hi all...guess its time to hear whats going on from the hoarses mouth-the tapas bar will be called tapastry, i aiming to open mid october, please bare with me on that though, its important that everything is in place.i have been working on a affordable concept where you have a choice of around 25 tapas for around £3-3.50 also serving fine beers and wines. keeping the setting relaxed and informal, i have also a license till 1 am. please feel free to post me any suggestions i'm all ears.

p.s jem dont worry not planing to splash
orange, i was going through one of my crazy brain waves back then, fortunatly i go spain more than holland these days for my research..

all the best jason
Bosco
Joined 16-07-2004
Posted on Thursday, 14 September, 2006 - 11:41 am:   

I assume you mean £3-£3.50 each rather than for all 25!! Otherwise you'd be very busy but bankrupt within a week!!!

So long as you do good patatas bravas and tortilla I will be a happy woman.
Pvp
Joined 17-03-2005
Posted on Thursday, 14 September, 2006 - 04:43 pm:   

Quessadilla (sp?).... mmmmmm....

Good luck with your new venture!
Djnever
Joined 09-04-2006
Posted on Thursday, 14 September, 2006 - 05:25 pm:   

Yes good luck indeed. I like the name Tapastry. As long as you have (providing you are going for the full spanish theme) beers such as Mahon, Cruzcampo, Alhambra or Estrella Damm I will definately pay a visit. Most tapas places in London would be happy to give you San Miguel but this is too standard.

Go for the niches!

Also an idea would be to make the place into a bar first and then serve food on the side, very similar to the real tapas bars in southern Spain, which I frequented many a time on my travels. The concept is, you get a small cooked snack with your beer. But I guess you wont make much money from that - its a cultural thing.

Anyway, enough of that, good luck!
Domc
Joined 17-03-2005
Posted on Thursday, 14 September, 2006 - 06:48 pm:   

Fantastic - will be a regular if its good. Save travelling across London to get my regular tapas fix.
Anotherjohn
Joined 06-05-2005
Posted on Thursday, 14 September, 2006 - 07:52 pm:   

Try tapas at Tapastry

Best of luck to you!
Les
Joined 28-01-2004
Posted on Thursday, 14 September, 2006 - 11:50 pm:   

All sounds very exciting - count me as an early customer. On suggestions...

I love chargrilled sardines or prawns and vinho verde but that's probably a bit portugese. Agree with ideas about beers other than San Miguel.

Best of luck,
Les.
Liz
Joined 26-04-2006
Posted on Friday, 15 September, 2006 - 02:54 pm:   

Best of Luck!
Are you planning on opening at lunch times during the week or just evenings? Those of us with very small children are always on the look out for civilised suroundings to meet up in.
Or perhaps the idea of small children in your smart new restaurant fills you with horror?!!
Jbird
Joined 13-02-2006
Posted on Friday, 15 September, 2006 - 04:53 pm:   

Good luck mate - I'll see you there for pulpo and a nice cerveza! My advice (for what it's worth) is just to make it simple, welcoming and friendly for us poor 9-5ers when we get off the train.
Robwinton
Joined 07-06-2006
Posted on Friday, 15 September, 2006 - 07:56 pm:   

Jason

What's the story on the wine list?
Tapastry
Joined 10-09-2006
Posted on Sunday, 17 September, 2006 - 07:01 pm:   

hi all, thanks for your postings-my intention is to keep to a simple format of offering around 25 tapas to choose from... however if you want come along by yourself i'll be devising tapas platters where your have a little bit of everything.

regarding small children- i imune to it at mclarens, so your more than welcome to pop along i'm not going to open till late afternoon tho, around 3.30pm. i will be serving coffees and deserts but not cafe style food, my lease restricts me from offering this i'm afraid.

regarding the wine list - i'm looking at latin origins i.e spain, chille, argentina, italy as well. i wont to make affordable as well starting from £9.95 for a good house to around£12.95. i have not made any concrete descisions on this,so if they are wine connisers in h.oak. i could do with some help.

regarding the beers- yes it's boring and commercial doing the run off the mill san migel. i will be researching good quality off the beaten track brands.

this also goes for the food. i wont to create my own identity, that has the usual ingredients but with an authentic twist.

it's been overwhelming the feedback i have recieved from everyone in the area. it's up to me to deliver the goods now. i feel half the battle is won. i think you all agree london can be a hostile im alright jack enviroment. for me h oak has a friendly down to earth community spirit, which can do with alot more choice.

thanks again

jason
Djnever
Joined 09-04-2006
Posted on Wednesday, 20 September, 2006 - 01:42 pm:   

It all sounds promising.

On the beer front, Ive already done the research!

Top 4 authentics are:
Estrella Damm (Barcelona)
Cruzcampo (Seville)
Mahou (Madrid)
Alhambra (Granada)

In no particular order, but any of these is better than the UK brewed San Miguel. I appreciate San Miguel will be cheaper to pick up over here, but I think your commitment to authenticism will pay off on something like this! Sorry to repeat this but getting the beer right in a new "social place" is critical to attracting a loyal following!
Hilltopgeneral
Joined 24-03-2004
Posted on Wednesday, 20 September, 2006 - 02:20 pm:   

San Miguel ain't Spanish either. I know the name conveys the right impression but you may as well do Kronenbourg. Failing the above Sagres and Super Bock (Portugal) could be options? You must be able to get these from one of the cash and carries used by the Portuguese places in S Lambeth.
Hoppy
Joined 05-12-2005
Posted on Wednesday, 20 September, 2006 - 07:02 pm:   

is boddingtons spanish?
Hilltopgeneral
Joined 24-03-2004
Posted on Wednesday, 20 September, 2006 - 08:03 pm:   

Yes, all the way from Costa da Strangeways
Theotherbrian
Joined 28-03-2005
Posted on Thursday, 21 September, 2006 - 06:18 pm:   

As a Belgian beer fan (and I don't mean Stella) I would certainly be interested in being able to try the real thing from Spain. I miss the Red Room greatly so I wish "Tapastry" the best of luck. I look forward to trying it out. As a veggie, I hope for a good choice.
Tapastry
Joined 10-09-2006
Posted on Saturday, 23 September, 2006 - 06:53 pm:   

hi all,
i saw a supplier at an exhibition this week i'm looking at a posibillity of having cruzcampo on draught... i'll defo be having mahou and estrella bottle..

theotherbrian would leffe be up your street...

i think chezc bud bottle is a poss as well

bye for now thanks again for your comments keep them coming, the saying is - it's not what i want, it's what you want...
Djnever
Joined 09-04-2006
Posted on Tuesday, 26 September, 2006 - 02:05 pm:   

Great work Tapastry, you are off to an excellent start with those beers. Cruzcampo on tap is a winner, and the bottles offer a great variety of spains excellent beers.

See you there on the opening week! (When does it open by the way?)
Chaz
Joined 28-03-2005
Posted on Wednesday, 27 September, 2006 - 12:52 pm:   

Taps, do you have an email address?

I've got an idea you might like.
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
Posted on Wednesday, 27 September, 2006 - 01:02 pm:   

Chaz,

I think you can forward a message to Taps via the Webmaster.
Crispy
Joined 10-09-2006
Posted on Wednesday, 27 September, 2006 - 01:06 pm:   

When is the place due to open?

I cannot wait to try it!!
Jbird
Joined 13-02-2006
Posted on Thursday, 28 September, 2006 - 09:26 am:   

I spoke to the builder the other day and he said it should open sometime in October. It looks good. They've moved the kitchen out back so the seating / eating / drinking area is bigger and (I would imagine) quieter than before.

I've got big hopes for this place, and for HOP as a whole!!
Perry
Joined 29-09-2006
Posted on Saturday, 30 September, 2006 - 10:05 am:   

Really looking forward to Tapestry, and a local, affordable and decent Tapas place. It sounds like it will be great. Any chance of a happy hour or the like? Good luck with it, see you at the opening!
Djnever
Joined 09-04-2006
Posted on Monday, 02 October, 2006 - 01:43 pm:   

Agreed on happy hours, you need to entice us in on our way home from a busy day. I vote for 6-8pm monday & tuesday & thursday that way you could keep your busiest days free for normal prices (weds, fri, sat) and evening bookings would not be effected at all.

I think you should also have some specials on offer. 3 tapas for a tenner for example, is always a good one. Or, on a thrusday, spend £30 or more on food and get a free bottle of rioja. (by the way, I have seen rioja in Spain selling for 1.25 EURO so your profit margin would be maximised)

Ps if you need a part-time marketing manager for Tapastry. Im your man.
Tapastry
Joined 10-09-2006
Posted on Thursday, 05 October, 2006 - 10:04 am:   

hi all,
thanks again for your postings....

if anyone wants to e-mail direct your welcome to
my add is tapastry@btinternet.com

thanks for the ideas i like the happy hour idea...it will give you something to look forward to whilst your tense and stiff on the cattle truck from london bridge...



i will anounce an opening date at the weekend..

sorry for the delay on this i just dont want to open pre-maturly...

i will anounce an open house tasting day for all se23.com crew to pop along and sample

chat soon

all the best jason
Deanos
Joined 01-12-2005
Posted on Thursday, 05 October, 2006 - 10:54 am:   

Whey-hey!! Free food!!
Deanos
Joined 01-12-2005
Posted on Thursday, 05 October, 2006 - 11:04 am:   

Actually, as lots of people have chipped in with ideas and suggestions, here's mine... Pints. I was astonished that Bar Equal didn't do them (they do now, and they seem popular) and Casa Tequila didn't either. Is the pint essential for the post-work crowd? It might be. It is the perfect amount of beer in one portion, and holding a bottle of serving from a carrafe doesn't have the same post-work relief of lifting a pint to your lips. So that's my idea. Looking forward to your opening, Jason. HOP needs a bit more going on.
Jbird
Joined 13-02-2006
Posted on Thursday, 05 October, 2006 - 01:17 pm:   

I'd like say for the record that I'm never stiff on the train coming back from town. Well, maybe a bit.
Djnever
Joined 09-04-2006
Posted on Thursday, 12 October, 2006 - 04:52 pm:   

I think Tapastry will be doing cruzcampo on tap, in pints....possibly the finest pint you'll ever have. Guaranteed post-office/ post-cattle truck refreshment.
Tapastry
Joined 10-09-2006
Posted on Friday, 13 October, 2006 - 09:33 pm:   

hi just to let you all know we officially open on 31st october...

i will inform you on a tastings evening sometime next week...

all the best jason
Jbird
Joined 13-02-2006
Posted on Wednesday, 01 November, 2006 - 08:55 am:   

Opened last night. Looks very nice and there were about a dozen people in there when I walked past around 6:30. How did your first night go Jason?
Djnever
Joined 09-04-2006
Posted on Wednesday, 01 November, 2006 - 01:55 pm:   

Did anyone from here go?

I noticed in se23 magazine the offer of pint of Cruzcampo and tapas for a fiver. Excellent idea which really follows the spirit of spain. Seeing as Cruzcampo usually would set you back about £3.30-50 per pint, I think £1.50 for tapas is good deal!

Also buy two tapas get one free - excellent.

We'll try and get down there shortly for a taster!
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
Posted on Wednesday, 01 November, 2006 - 02:00 pm:   

Yes I saw this in latest magazine another great publication
Robwinton
Joined 07-06-2006
Posted on Wednesday, 01 November, 2006 - 05:41 pm:   

I was there last night. Great food and nice wines/beers. Jason has put together some clever offers for those who pass by so you don't have to sit there for a meal each time but can grab a quick 'tapa' like Tapas is supposed to be.

Only had a short visit last night but will definitely be going back soon.

Anyone else try it yet?
Simon
Joined 18-07-2005
Posted on Thursday, 02 November, 2006 - 09:08 am:   

Tried it out last night. Had a very agreable bottle of Rioja and a few tapas. Room for a bit of improvement on the food but generally very good for the first week!
Jbird
Joined 13-02-2006
Posted on Thursday, 02 November, 2006 - 09:32 am:   

I was there last night too! Had a pint and a tapa and it was lovely. Good atmosphere - a mix of families, people coming back from work and a confused-looking couple with suitcases. Nice music, friendly staff, good beer, and a community feel which sums up what's best about HOP. A real addition to the area.
Deanos
Joined 01-12-2005
Posted on Thursday, 02 November, 2006 - 10:29 am:   

I was there last night too! Took advantage of the £5 beer and tapa offer. The Good Lady Wife had the Tortilla, always a good barometer of a tapas joint, and it was very good. A real comfort food style one, lots of spub and a nice texture, not soggy at all. I had the cheese and chutney, both very good. It was a good atmosphere, friendly staff, all very good really. Will defo be going back. A great addition to the area. Go there!
Jbird
Joined 13-02-2006
Posted on Thursday, 02 November, 2006 - 01:09 pm:   

What's spub? Sounds nice.
Deanos
Joined 01-12-2005
Posted on Thursday, 02 November, 2006 - 02:03 pm:   

You seriously don't know what spub is?! Honestly, there's no helping some people.
Jamie
Joined 31-10-2006
Posted on Friday, 10 November, 2006 - 12:08 pm:   

I went to Tapastry last night and thoroughly enjoyed it - Jason's done a great job.


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