Jump to content

Recommended Posts

So the area has changed a lot in recent years. There are no more "all meals for a pound or less" banners hanging outside The Forresters ( I have been on the dole with no money.... no way would I eat a pub meal for a pound or less. I would cut out the middleman)


But there is a generic strand to most of the menus on the Lane. Posh Breakfast. Steak. Sausage and mash. Fish. veggie Option.

That's (give or take) it - and I love all of these dishes but a bit of variety wouldn't go amiss - no classic bistro dishes (Boef Bourginon, Coq au Vin) no mexican staples (Beef chili, Fajitas) , No British stews. There are lots more butthere appears to be a template for most menus these days which has led to a homegenisation (no way have I spelled that right) across the board


Some pubs do try harder than others - The Bishop remains the most diverse menu (loving the chicken and white bean chili) but in the evening they lose a lot of the good daytime meals (the pies for example)


With winter approaching I would love for heartier food to be served.. anyone else?

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/1395-dulwich-menus/
Share on other sites

I agree. Everywhere I've been recently East Dulwich, West Duwlich, Herne Hill or Peckham it's been the same damn menu. Not to say I too don't love my fat home made hamburgers with caramelised onions and rocket but surely some variety? In saying that, the other half had a yellow prawn thai curry in the Rye Hotel which I thought was slightly different from the norm. But homogenity is the flavour of the month. Is that not simply what people want?
Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/1395-dulwich-menus/#findComment-37829
Share on other sites

The curry in The Rye is pretty good downsouth - a good example of something a wee bit different.


I think the problem is not so much what people want as the type of meals served lend themselves to portion control and quick cooking (burger and onions 17 times? no problem - give me 15 mins)


I've thought about cooking the stuff myself and offering it to pubs if they don't want to take a risk - but really. Other cities manage more variety.. a not expensive place for example is Bourdain's Les Halles - good, simple, cheap bistro food in nice surroundings...

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/1395-dulwich-menus/#findComment-37838
Share on other sites

That'll be Le Chardon by the sound of it PGC (acceptable abbreviation?)


The price things is different as is the (variable - but usually badly) service. And it's a bit more formal that the pub vibe I'm after


Anna - there are odd exceptions it's true - but too few IMO (I know it's a small complaint compared to life's bigger issues.. but within the area we are discussing... etc)

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/1395-dulwich-menus/#findComment-37863
Share on other sites

Another thing to consider is where one of these establishments varies from the norm they take a huge financial risk - often of their own money. Not many are prepared to do that. I for one wouldn't try to be "too different". Even Le Chandelier is very safe even though it tries to appear different. Same old cakes, drinks and platters available elsewhere. The real difference is the expensive as yet to be paid for decor.
Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/1395-dulwich-menus/#findComment-37871
Share on other sites

I used to be a chef and find it quite depressing to see the same things on the menu every where you go. There's no imagination anymore....


On the other side of the coin, I took some clients to the Oxo tower a few weeks ago. The waiter recommended I try the Strawberries, with Pimms jelly and cucumber and mint sorbet. I did and boy did I regret it. Keeps things simple I say! As much as I dislike Mr Ramsey, he is quite right in his thinking. People or "chefs" tend to go overboard with a simple dish, there's no need to dress it up and complicate the ingredients.

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/1395-dulwich-menus/#findComment-37874
Share on other sites

Not sure, what would clean up right now? Maybe a "good" caribbean restaurant - no not what Jerk Rock was LOL. Blue Mountain although most wouldn't think it has a heavily caribbean influenced menu. But an out and out one perhaps. A good japanese suhsi round these parts would def get my custom. We need something unashamedly itself but with the service and quality expected.
Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/1395-dulwich-menus/#findComment-37877
Share on other sites

I think a sushi place would do very well (not from me - not until I get over my seafood thing)


The informal bistro food I mentioned I think would do well do (The Drum tried something for a very little while and was delicious but not on the main strip)


I think an upmarket Mexican/South American place would do well (with all due respect to El Paso)


A South Indian menu closer than SE15 also

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/1395-dulwich-menus/#findComment-37879
Share on other sites

"Another thing to consider is where one of these establishments varies from the norm they take a huge financial risk - often of their own money. Not many are prepared to do that."


Ok, confession time. I have been the part-owner of a successful catering outlet in Surrey in the past, which had a reputation for good, value for money and healthy food. It was also in an enclosed shopping centre, which is how I know that leaseholders can't get access to retail units between certain hours, which mostly coincide, more or less, with shop opening hours. In another career, I've also been involved in advising on the letting of contracts for catering venues (cafes) in municipal parks, and they can be a little goldmine. If they're not money earners or attractive options for catering operators or contractors, then that tends to be reflected in any rent or premium that's charged. Often council's will carry out modernisation too. Councils often rely on the catering facilities within their parks to encourage a wide cross section of the community to use them. Parks are for everyone, not just kids.

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/1395-dulwich-menus/#findComment-37880
Share on other sites

Interesting Frisco, interesting. Would love to have a convo if you turn up to a forum drinks/birthday party on the same subject



That last statement in particular is true. But from the outside it look like a park operator uses the equation - people without kids = people without kids. People with kids = people without kids AND people with kids



But I must stop posting for one day!

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/1395-dulwich-menus/#findComment-37886
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • But is it the Village councillors who are maintaining the board, or someone else? When the boards in East Dulwich were installed, it wasn't the councillors who kept the information up to date, it was Monica from Health Matters, who was greatly involved in various  community matters (eg the building of the community garden at what was then Dulwich Hospital). I can't remember if it was her who initiated the installation of the boards in the first place. She no longer lives in East Dulwich, and nobody else appears to be willing to liaise with the councillors and community related organisations  to take this on for the various East Dulwich boards.  It would hardly take much effort. Basic information doesn't frequently change (and no, I'm not volunteering. I am overstretched as it is). It's all very well to  get a physical  community notice board spruced up, but not much use if it then isn't being used for its intended purpose. And I can't see that it is part of a councillor's job to update notice boards which they didn't initiate in the first place. I'm sure they have more than enough to do.  The notice boards serve (or did do) a useful service, but all the information which could be put on them is surely available elsewhere. (Unless it is bringing to people's attention things which are of use/interest to them and they weren't aware they needed/would like, or didn't know how else to find the information). ETA: Oh. I've just read the beginning of this thread. I'd forgotten how it started. It's gone well off topic, hasn't it. Probably just as well, reading the OP.
    • The board in the Village (just near the pub) is in pristine condition, full of council-related information (though someone had stuck a flyer on the glass, now removed). Maybe the councillors there actually CBA to make use of a facility that took time, effort and taxpayers’ money to instal?  
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...