Eats Dulwich

Thanks, it's a real dilemma whether to do star ratings. A few people have asked me to do them but I've tried to resist as they are too reductive - people will look at them and won't read review! and they are difficult too - my last review of Victoria Inn, i'd give it five stars for value for money - how can you knock two courses for £18? – but 2 stars for quality - edible but nothing special. Which I guess is why some sites give star ratings for different things...

Hi, Just a quick note to say it's six months since I launched Eats Dulwich. In that time I've reviewed 28 restaurants. Usually four or five a month except for a month when I came down with gout, which I guess is an occupational hazard. Don't say I don't suffer for my art. Early on someone – Sue, I think – asked me what I'm going to do when I've reviewed every restaurant in East Dulwich. I'm nowhere near that point, but what I have found is that a lot of new openings have tended to be in Rye Lane, so the site has expanded to cover SE15, hence the slight change of name (still haven't had any cease and desist letters from anything with a similar name). Anyway, the site is still free, it would be great if as many readers as possible here can subscribe so that they automatically get new posts (when you try to subscribe the default might be paid subs but that's down to Substack, just tick the free option instead) as I don't post everything on EDF. Obviously you can get reviews elsewhere if you want, but I think this is the only proper site for local East Dulwich people written by a local East Dulwich person. If you like eating out please have a read. And if there are other places you think I should visit please mention them below and i'll do my best to try them. Link here: https://eatsdulwich.substack.com/

[email protected] is based at Oru and was recommended to me. Not cheap but you can email her to get advice going forward.

I don't know how often they do that BBQ deal but it's fantastically good value. The a la carte is pricier but worth it too. Full review here.

Yes, Persepolis definitely coming to SE22, we ate in the legendary Peckham branch last week and the Lordship Lane offshoot was confirmed. It will be called Simorgh. Doubt if the new one will have a roof terrace overlooking the Job Centre though! Review of the quirky original here. https://open.substack.com/pub/eatsdulwich/p/restaurant-review-persepolis?r=8oe6m&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

This piece seems to suggest the upgrade is about to grind to a total halt - "meaning it will retain its status as the busiest interchange railway station in the country with no step-free access." (scroll down to read it). https://www.londoncentric.media/p/july-7-terror-attack-how-londons-bus-drivers-got-the-city-home?utm_campaign=email-half-post&r=8oe6m&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Saw your comment and thought I'd better check it out! Here's my review: https://open.substack.com/pub/eatsdulwich/p/restaurant-review-lai-rai?r=8oe6m&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

Seems to work for water companies.

We tried norbert's on Friday night. Of course there are cheaper places to eat chicken in SE22 and we overdid it on the sides because we wanted to try out their range of options. But it's very good quality chicken and two people could easily be satisfied sharing half a chicken and chips which would be £24 – £12 each. Here's my review: https://open.substack.com/pub/eatsdulwich/p/restaurant-review-norberts?r=8oe6m&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

I popped in to have a chat with them and a look around after I'd eaten somewhere else so didn't sample anything, but they seemed to have plenty of staff so hopefully service won't be too slow! Planning to try soon.

Asking people to post cheques to them does make them sound like something from the previous century tbh.

used to love Meson don felipe with the funny guitarist who used to climb up and play on a podium, still a nice lively atmosphere and we still pop in if at the young vic but there's a lot better Spanish eateries near Borough market which is closer to the Tate too. Barrafina, Brindisa (though neither are cheap) and a few weeks ago we tried one called Parrillan, where they bring a little grill to your table and you cook your own tapas - this one certainly ticks the box for quirky but the portions are small so the bill can mount up.

last week's Janda Diner visit reviewed. https://open.substack.com/pub/eatsdulwich/p/restaurant-review-janda-diner?r=8oe6m&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

Went to Janda last night - it was a toss up between this and En Root and Janda won the toss! We booked on the day and it was pretty rammed, so booking advisable. Review to follow, but yes, we enjoyed it. Bit noisy because it was full.