New Italian cafe on Grove Vale

[Bellenden Belle]

Lovely cafe, gorgeous focaccia, friendly staff.

I'm never overly enamoured with Blackbird, so this is a fantastic addition to Grove Vale.

[aquarius moon]

I don't go to cafe's/coffee shops either.

Why do I need to when I have coffee at home & at work?

As for breakfast, if you work out the cost of a bacon sandwich every day on the way to work & compare it to the cost of buying a loaf of bread & bacon when it's on offer in the supermarket, think of the money you would save over the year.

[Cedges]

I only stop in at a cafe for breakfast once every few weeks as a little treat - no harm in that.

[DulwichFox]

ed_pete Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Foxy - I find it intriguing that you seem to be

> be-moaning another cafe. Do you feel the same way

> about the half-dozeon or so curry houses on

> Lordhsip Lane ? Live and let live I say.

Many of the curry houses have been around for 20+ years, Curry Cabin 40+ years.

There are times when they are all full. Apart from Swadesh which does not sell or allow alcohol.

Most people simply cannot make an authentic curry. Certainly do not even have the necessary spices in their cupboard.

Cannot see the many Pop-Up cafes lasting that long. The old cafes used to.

That's when they were full of builders standing their spoons up in a mug of tea...

.. and the bloke / woman behind the counter, fag in mouth, could butter a whole loaf of bread

without having to recharge the knife.

Not to mention the obligatory Pin-Ball machine in the corner.

Foxy

[spider69]

DulwichFox Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> ed_pete Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Foxy - I find it intriguing that you seem to be

> > be-moaning another cafe. Do you feel the same

> way

> > about the half-dozeon or so curry houses on

> > Lordhsip Lane ? Live and let live I say.

>

> Many of the curry houses have been around for 20+

> years, Curry Cabin 40+ years.

> There are times when they are all full. Apart from

> Swadesh which does not sell or allow alcohol.

> Most people simply cannot make an authentic curry.

> Certainly do not even have the necessary spices in

> their cupboard.

>

> Cannot see the many Pop-Up cafes lasting that

> long. The old cafes used to.

> That's when they were full of builders standing

> their spoons up in a mug of tea...

> .. and the bloke / woman behind the counter, fag

> in mouth, could butter a whole loaf of bread

> without having to recharge the knife.

>

> Not to mention the obligatory Pin-Ball machine in

> the corner.

>

> Foxy

Not what new imports want to see or hear. If only the clock could be turned back. Simple living and always friendly.

[KidKruger]

C'mon Foxy, your posts here comes over like you're stuck in ED1990 and don't wanna leave.

I have fond memories of it then, too, but it's gone now - bro, forever.

I gad to laugh at the 'Loyalty' comment. Caf?s aren't football teams, you can float around to any of them depending on what you fancy that day - but I think you know this already.

Sometimes you don't have to leave the house only because you need provisions that aren't indoors - you might want to meet people, feel the sun on your face, treat yourself and family, be served, live a little - y'know stuff like that !

[DulwichFox]

KidKruger Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> C'mon Foxy, your posts here comes over like you're

> stuck in ED1990 and don't wanna leave.

> I have fond memories of it then, too, but it's

> gone now - bro, forever.

> I gad to laugh at the 'Loyalty' comment. Caf?s

> aren't football teams, you can float around to any

> of them depending on what you fancy that day - but

> I think you know this already.

> Sometimes you don't have to leave the house only

> because you need provisions that aren't indoors -

> you might want to meet people, feel the sun on

> your face, treat yourself and family, be served,

> live a little - y'know stuff like that !

The thing is KK not about loyalty on my behalf.. although I do tend to stick with one pub. EDT in my case.

I think many people do the same.

Its just that every time a new outlet opens up, everyone here (EDF) goes on about how they will use it

and give their support to help it survive.

..Until another outlet opens up.

Its just that we have reached saturation point. How many outlets can we keep afloat.

I know that there are people here who seem by their comments to try every new outlet that opens up.

They seem to exist a diet of Coffee and Croissants.

As for leaving the house. Well I'm retired so I am at home at lot but I'm out and about a lot too.

I walk a lot. Go shopping most days to stock up with provisions. I do get the sun on my face.

I was in Turkey in July and will back there in October. Plenty of sun there.

I'm out socializing every night and meeting new people in ED and further afield.

I eat out 3-4 nights a week but during the day I cook breakfast lunch afternoon snack.

I'm busy housekeeping during the day. Washing, cooking, Cleaning. Don't have time to sit in cafes.

Foxy.

[KidKruger]

"I know that there are people here who seem by their comments to try every new outlet that opens up.

They seem to exist a diet of Coffee and Croissants"

Probably a bit of a generalisation, mate. It's a thriving area now and cafe culture (in the non-greasy spoon way) is a bigger part of people's spare time than it used to be - all over the country. So there will be many caf?s and as a consequence some folding/others opening. And people, cos they like caf?s, will wanna try em.

Regarding your lifestyle, I wasn't challenging you, specifically. I was just pointing out the obvious reasons why people use caf?s etc. - because you'd asked why people bother when they can do it all at home.

Caf?s per se aren't really my thing either,

but don't begrudge their existence nor that of their patrons !!

[DulwichFox]

I do not begrudge the existence of any new / old establishment.

I just don't share the enthusiasm and hysteria.

Do not feel the 'Must give it a go' element.

I tend to eat as a necessity to stay alive.

Although I do eat a lot of Indian food in restaurants, I tend to be in and out within 30-40 mins.

I do not much like sitting around in them for hours.

I prefer to drink in a pub.

Foxy.

[Diescu]

I just tried La Scala - really good Cappuccino with soya milk and delicious, fresh croissant to take away. They give you a choice of strong or mild. I had strong, which was strong without being bitter. Lovely friendly people.

[Alan Medic]

I'm with Foxy for the most part. Businesses will stand or fall by how successful they are so good luck to people who invest in one. It does amuse though that the place across the road 'Blackbird' appears to have been the apple of many people's eye. Now there's somewhere else to go to we hear about what's wrong with it.

PS What actually makes the cafe 'Italian'?

[Bellenden Belle]

Alan Medic Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I'm with Foxy for the most part. Businesses will

> stand or fall by how successful they are so good

> luck to people who invest in one. It does amuse

> though that the place across the road 'Blackbird'

> appears to have been the apple of many people's

> eye. Now there's somewhere else to go to we hear

> about what's wrong with it.

>

> PS What actually makes the cafe 'Italian'?

The short sandwich options are all based around Italian meats and cheeses and the staff themselves are also Italian.

[monica]

Looking forward to trying La Scala, great we have another Italian place in the area, not that I am biased. Love the french cafes, but you cannot beat the italians, when it comes to food:)

[Jessie]

Me and my friend very much enjoyed our catch up there yesterday. Fantastic coffee, lovely staff and I could see across the road blackbird was incredibly busy so of course, what with being a popular London area, there is room for more than one cafe to thrive.

[tfwsoll]

>>Its just that we have reached saturation point. How many outlets can we keep afloat.

I know that there are people here who seem by their comments to try every new outlet that opens up.

They seem to exist a diet of Coffee and Croissants.

My gripe is that there are too many outlets charging premium prices for crappy coffee in East Dulwich. The only place that serves consistently great coffee is Toast, which isn't open when I head to work in the morning so I drop into FCB at Denmark Hill. If La Scala opens early and the coffee is good I will give it a try.

[pama11]

I think Grove Vale area could really benefits from a decent cafe with pleasant staff.. Unfortunately I found Black Bird staff often quite rude.. Plus ? I have never been fond of the dry croissants and super buttery Pain au chocolate !! Good luck La Scala !

[Dopamine1979]

I'll probably check it out for a sandwich. I've found in the past 2 weeks of paternity leave there don't seem to be many local places where you can get a nice sandwich to me made to order.

[LondonMix]

DulwichFox Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

>

> I tend to eat as a necessity to stay alive.

>

That is probably the saddest thing I've ever read.

[newboots]

Charming!

OhmyED Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Like we needed another coffee shop with no buggy

> space..I give it 3 months.

[DulwichFox]

LondonMix Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> DulwichFox Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

>

> >

> > I tend to eat as a necessity to stay alive.

> >

>

> That is probably the saddest thing I've ever read.

Why.. Think about it.

There are millions of people dying because they do not have enough food to do just that.

We here live in a society of Buy one, Throw one away.

People just need to think more and show respect for the food we eat all eat.

Not just gloat about how stuffed they were and how much it cost.

After all the real necessity to eat food IS to stay alive.

Every single creature on Earth

Foxy

[LondonMix]

Food of course is essential but it is more than just that. Most cultures recognise there is real pleasure in eating (you get a kick of dopamine) but beyond that most cultures have set up social rituals around 'breaking bread'. Eating is social and pleasurable. You describe it like I'd describe flossing or cleaning my ears...

[Danielle C]

I think this is the best coffee shop in East Dulwich. No queues, really lovely friendly staff, relaxed atmosphere. Their cakes and muffins are fresh and the tea is from a local tea company and it's great. I highly recommend this cafe.

[KidKruger]

Foxy "I tend to eat as a necessity to stay alive"

So you've no condiments in the cupboard, no flavourings and little treats you get yourself now and again to munch on ?

Just a drawer of raw ingredients to manufacture the minimum nutrition necessary to continue breathing ?

Come on !

[Baggs]

Thanks for logging in to make the recommendation Danielle!

I'll take it with a pinch of local fine sea salt.

[DulwichFox]

KidKruger Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Foxy "I tend to eat as a necessity to stay alive"

>

> So you've no condiments in the cupboard, no

> flavourings and little treats you get yourself now

> and again to munch on ?

> Just a drawer of raw ingredients to manufacture

> the minimum nutrition necessary to continue

> breathing ?

>

> Come on !

On the contrary, I have never suggested so.

I'm a reasonable cook when I set my mind to it.

My latest inventory of my 'flavourings' as you put it.

Indian Spices:-

Green Cardamon, Black Cardamon, Fennel Seed

Cumin Seed, Klowunji Seed (Black Onion), Brown Mustard Seed

Ground Cumin, Ground Corriander, Elaichi Powder (Ground Cardamon),

Asafoetida, Fenugreek., Termeric, Chilli Powder, Cayenne Pepper

Methi Leaves

Dried Red Chilli

Saffron Strands

Star Anise

Garam Masala, Tandoori Masala, Pav Bhaji Masala

Herbs:-

Dry:-

Rosemary, Thyme , Sage, Dill, Oregano, Basil, Mint, Bay Leaves

Spices Misc.

Paprika (various), Mace, Ginger, Cloves, Black Pepper, Sea Salt (various)

Other:

Balsamic Vinegar (various) White/Red Wine Vinegar

I buy fresh ingredients as I need them.

Freezer is full of usual junk we all have. Burgers, Fish Fingers. That never get eaten

Plus selection of frozen veg. Not sure how log most of that has been there.

Don't actually eat much veg.

But can put together a decent Curry , Pasta dish of roast dinner.

I go to restaurants when I feel lazy. :)

Foxy