The Magnolia (used to be The Magdala)

[mrs f]

Ok so I finally managed to go to the Magnolia last night in the hope of perhaps a bit to eat / some drinks etc.

Well all I can say is that Magnolia is the perfect name for the place, bland and just not quite right.... another off white shade and I would love it, but like the colour this place has missed the mark, so close but just horrible!

Far too many tables, that are too big, there should be nice sofas/ seating around the front at least, and perhaps some at the back where the round seats used to be...

What is the point of having a pizza oven and not doing pizza??- what a waste- the pizza's were the only reason I went in there when it was the Magdala before and now I have no reason.

Staff pounce on you because there are not enough people and don't know that they are working in a PUB and not a restaurant. Food is far far far too expensive (?11 for saussage and cus cus!!) and they only offer 4 choices for main courses, poor effort!!! Nothing sounded or looked good enough for Mr F & myself to try so we went to the (lovely) Liquerish instead.

Also Very expensive- ?7.50 for a pint and a cider..... this is NOT central London!

I am really really dissapointed, I never really like the style of the Magdala but loved their pizza and seeing as they are 2 mins from my house we would go in there a bit....

The new owners have spent too much time choosing wallpaper and not enough thinking about the atmosphere- go to the Gowlett, The Hearne, Licquish, and see that atmosphere out weighs wallpaper choice when customers are voting with their feet as to where to go.

And whilst I am on the subject, why have they not bothered to try to cheer up the front garden? all that effort inside but they have done nothing outside, and all it would take would be a nice fence/some plants and a bit of effort with the tables....

All in all what a missed opportunity! This is a real shame as I really wanted to love it but I was so dissapointed.

Thankfully there are plenty of other places to go to so I don't have to go again!!! Looks like Franklins is our new local!

[Jeremy]

?7.50 for two pints... sounds normal. How much do you usually pay?

[SeanMacGabhann]

when the cider is large Magners then yep -you don't need to be in central London for those prices

I think Mrs F makes some fair points about how she doesn't like the tone. I like it but others may not.

One of the things I like about the menu is the fact that it only has 4 options for mains - the two times I have eaten there it has been obviously cooked from scratch and very tasty. It changes nightly as well which is so refreshing in a world of laminated menus serving reheated crud

I have no idea why some people bang on about the wallpaper so much tho - there isn't even any on the walls - a little bit around the bar and people have palpitations!

So no it isn't what it was but I think it is good at what it is...

[Jah Lush]

Can't understand the moans about this place. It's early days so give it another go. I've found it has really grown on me after just a couple of visits. I'm so bored with the rest of the bars on Lordship Lane and perhaps that is why I have found this place so refreshing.

[Cassius]

Can't really see the point of going to the Magnolia and moaning that it's not the same as the Magdala!

I am sure that Rose and her crew will get round to other areas of the pub later - after all it's no longer summer so I would have thought renovation of the garden areas could easily wait until spring in time for next summer. However I would like to put in a plea for the bbq as I thought the one at the Magdala was really good.

[Brendan]

Bottle of Magners is normally about ?4. It would have to be some pretty special cider for ?7:50.

[EDOldie]

?2.50 a pint for Harveys bitter at the Dog at the moment. But, it has, gone to the Dogs.

[Jah Lush]

Hasn't it just old bean.

[Brendan]

SeanMacGabhann Wrote:

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> I have no idea why some people bang on about the

> wallpaper so much tho - there isn't even any on

> the walls - a little bit around the bar and people

> have palpitations!

Sean the wallpaper is important. Not specifically to your enjoyment of the pub but it has cultural and historical significance. The current wallpaper thing is the equivalent of what those neon down-lighter thingies were in bars/pubs 10-15 years ago. In the future people are going to remember this era for the wallpaper.

[EDOldie]

I'm all for expensive rub a dub dubs meself, keeps the riff raff out, don't you know?

[Brendan]

Is Jah?s new found love for the Magnolia perchance somehow related to the fact that he currently finds himself somewhat light of pocket?

[Jeremy]

Brendan - ?4 for a Magners, ?3.50 for a pint of generic continental lager... sounds about normal. I don't think anyone is accusing them of charging ?7.50 for a bottle cider!

I think 4 main courses is OK... I have to admit that I am somewhat addicted to Ramsays Kitchen Nightmares, and if there's a small kitchen (or they can't afford loads of staff), the first thing he tells them to do is keep the menu small. Better to have 3-5 options cooked freshly than 10 options reheated or chucked into the deep fat fryer.

[Keef]

I pint of Star is ?3.40 which is about the same as anywhere in the area. Wine list looked reasonable, it is not an expensive bar.

I have no problem with people coming on here and giving a genuine reason for not liking something, but don't just come out with the same old cliches like central London prices, especially when it's just not true, and especially when they go on to talk about Franklins and Licorice, neither of which are exactly cheap (and that is not a poke at them).

[Mogs]

Does anyone know if the Magnolia does Leffe?

We're hoping to dine there with friends on Saturday evening, and he's a big leffe fan

[Sue]

Not on draft (is that the correct technical term?) I don't think.

Palmerston has it on draft.

[Brendan]

I don?t think so. I checked for bottled beer and apart from the usual lagers (peroni etc) the only other beer they had in bottles was New Castle Brown. Which I was happy to see but am pretty sure is left over stock from the Magdala.

I could be wrong though and this was 2 weeks ago so they may have other beers there now.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Several threads devoted to this pub already so I haven't started a new one but having finally surfaced I wanted to praise AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE Rose, Reuben and the whole team at the Mag - the food, handling and general care they applied to my party last night was outstanding. Visitors from across the UK and Ireland all spoke in glowing terms about the place and the variety and quality of food. And they were handling a separate 40th upstairs at the same time

They did me proud and I'm bigging them up. So there...

[Keef]

What Sean said. Food was lovely!

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Hear, hear.

[Strawbs]

what Sean said, the food was fantastic as was the atmosphere, a great little place at the back to have a party, we really enjoyed ourselves..

We will be back..

[cate]

I looked at the menu the other day. Brownie was five pounds! Anyone try that yet? Do they do coffee now?

[Michael Palaeologus]

Whilst at the aforementioned MacGabhan Birthday knees-up Cheese Board I got chatting to the Mag's Chef. He has plans to have the Mag's delivering traditional good quality food with some more adventurous elements, braised pigs cheeks were mentioned.

If the food on saturday night is anything to go by, they are off to a good start.

[Sue]

cate Wrote:

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> I looked at the menu the other day. Brownie was

> five pounds! Anyone try that yet? Do they do

> coffee now?

xxxxx

But surely that's not just for a little square of brownie, must be with cream or something? Drool drool I love brownies, memo to self, go and check out Magnolia brownies (Please let them be really gooey in the middle :)) )

AAAARRRRGGGHHHH just remembered there's a tub of that Ben and Jerry's choc ice cream with brownie chunks in the freezer :)) Has only been there since yesterday, obviously :-$

Edited to remove the capital B from Brownies in case anybody thinks I am lusting after the junior version of Girl Guides, or whatever they are called now :))

[Bellenden Belle]

I went for lamb chops with mash when I was in there the other week ... it was lovely.

And Rose is nothing short of adorable....

[magnolia]

yes gooey in the middle

and thats five pounds with ice cream ,creme fraiche or all three

have you seen the price of organic dark chocolate these days ?xxx

we are using all profits from brownies to buy a coffee machine .........