Annette Curtain Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Great institutions of London that close their doors for the last time.Today I wear a black armband for the majestic and much lauded...Wong Kei in Wardour Street W1http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/restaurants/rude-awakening-at-wong-kei-7431958.html Doors closed on Friday*quietly mops a tear*I've been going here for 20 odd (and at times friggin mad) years. I'm genuinely heart broken, as this place has been a base line of comfort in this cityGod blees ya !Edited to ad link Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidKruger Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I was there a couple of weeks ago and didn't really notice any difference, yeah the decor was a bit upgraded and i didn't get hassle, but i had no impression of anything having changed drastically. It's the same, reallly. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-721400 Share on other sites More sharing options...
holloway Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 is that the famously rude one where they ask you to move tables even on different floors mid-meal? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-721433 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salsaboy Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Noooooo. Been there loads. Always an experience! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-721443 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annette Curtain Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 It's closed, went past at mid-night to pay my respectsIt does say it will open under 'new management' though, after a refurbMy heart has that sinking feeling*dons second black armband* Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-721655 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustard Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Closed for refurbishment only. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-721662 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Mac Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 My recollection is being shouted at: Apsters ApstersApsters DawstersDawstersEventually you get to sit down somewhere. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-721664 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annette Curtain Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 Ok mourning its loss aside (it WILL be back)I've been eating here regularly since 1995 (I think) and through all my life changes since then, it's been an odd kind of joy, a constant.If i'd been away when I was single, i'd return to London and eat here. It confirmed I was home. Nothing beat the anonymity of sitting on the ground level, eating and gazing at the passing human traffic. Tea & food along with the constant buzz of the place.I also had some very odd, almost kafkaesque experiences in there.One day, whilst eating alone, the pay phone on the wall above my table rang. It was the one on the mirrored wall, pre refurb 1 daysThe waiter answered (leaning over the table) listened and grunted the same 'uhh' repetitively, he then put down the phone and walked briskly outside. He returned, took up centre position at the service counter and stared ahead, without any expressionThe phone rang again, this time he was rather more animated "UHH..UHH..UHH" with a few added high speed barks down the phone. Again he hung up and this time, with another member of staff he sped outside. The thought that someone had gone without paying crossed my mind, but with the meat BBQ area by the door, I feared for their chancesBoth returned, both stoney faced and I ate on. The phone rang yet again, the waiter answered, only this time it was like a mad scene from The Pink Panther. The waiter became flushed red and highly animated, barking further down the phone. Again hanging up and with other members of staff in tow leaving the building. Only to yet again return, place himself centre as before and hold it togetherThe tension was palpable, but nothing yet slipped through his stoney exterior. I was best positioned to watch the whole event unfolding and I was intriguedWhat broke the silence was a black uniformed man walking into the front lobby area. Not a notable uniform, just plain black. It could have been a private security or a similar type, but as it turns out he was a fire officer. "Who's the manager here?" he enquiredThe animated but keeping it together waiter/manager looked and paused, but just as he went to speak, the uniformed man spoke again"No matter, Ladies and gentlemen please gather your belongings together quietly and leave THIS BUILDING IS ON FIRE"To which the waiter/manager replied "No is OK...FIRE ONLY UPSTAIR"It was divine, I nearly choked laughing. We left and as I did so I offered up and was relieved of a fiver.The fire brigade had by then pulled up & a scene from a movie ensued, all high tech gadgets and fire officers, remote water cannons and cameras taking overI stood in awe as flames and smoke licked off the roof, even gulping a little of that smoke unwittingly. Choking but somehow smiling as I made good my escape from the chaosIt closed for over a year after that, but like the Pheonix it was reborn. Pinker, smarter and with some irony, staff sporting "UPSTAIRS-DOWNSTAIRS" Tiger sponsored t-shirtsLets hope it comes back, all pimped and glam but still with the soul it's always possessed"HOW MANY, UPSTAIR" will be music to my ears Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-721699 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dopamine1979 Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 That's quite a story. :) Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-721702 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyNorwood Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 We were a party of four, the waiter snarled "I suppose you want to sit together"???? We ended up on the top floor, one on one table, three on the other, eating with the staff... Best 'ro-duh-noo-doo-soo" I've ever had - happy times... Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-721760 Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidKruger Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I also like their "bar boo por" version of that dish. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-721766 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Applespider Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Wong Kei's was fun...but there's another closure up there that made me reminisce.I found out today that the Trocadero is closing next week and re-opening as a Japanese pod hotel.Admittedly, I thought it had closed years ago but have fond memories of hanging around there with friends a couple of decades ago and playing on the 'so cool' simulators and games etc. My aunt crashed its opening VIP party and danced with Duran Duran and Wham... I had the commemorative signed postcard on my wall for years. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-721868 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dopamine1979 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I miss The Gardening Club nightclub in Covent Garden which is now an Apple store.Had some good times there as a student. Used to be ?1 per drink on Tuesday nights. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-722342 Share on other sites More sharing options...
???? Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 "YOU WANT FIGHT WITH CHINAMAN?" Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-722346 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dopamine1979 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I think these bad impressions of the Chinese waiters might be offensive. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-722352 Share on other sites More sharing options...
???? Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 verbatim, including the CAPS Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-722355 Share on other sites More sharing options...
???? Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 PS always very dark in the Gardening Club....i used to also go before it was the GC (can't remember name but band venue, I think U2 debuted there) Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-722356 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jah Lush Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Am I right in thinking it used to be the Rock Garden? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-722367 Share on other sites More sharing options...
???? Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Thanks Jah, that's it! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-722388 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dopamine1979 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Rock Garden -> Gardening Club -> Apple storeApples grow on trees. Trees grow in Gardens. There is a reason for everything, friends. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-722392 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyNorwood Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 ???? Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> verbatim, including the CAPSditto my post... Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-722416 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jah Lush Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Wonky update from the Evening Standard.http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/end-of-the-line-for-londons-rudest-chinese-restaurant-wong-kei-due-for-friendly-revamp-9148765.html Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41389-black-armband-day/#findComment-723309 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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