161 Lordship Lane - Le Chandelier

[rendelharris]

An Ottolenghi-ish restaurant with a drinks card put together by a beer enthusiast? Oh go on then, if we must...look forward to the opening!

[Moovart]

I feel an exciting buzz about this new restaurant and really look forward to trying it.

Best of luck Spinach.

[Laura Danielle 86]

Wow!! This beautifully constructed menu is well worth a try. In fact those that don't go are well and truly missing out. I visited spinach for its soft opening on Wednesday and sampled some (quite a few) of what this exciting menu had to offer. i think I've stumbled across my new favourite south London restaurant! Between the intriguing wine selection and the incredible dishes that are on offer I'd find a harder spot to rival this new restaurant in east dulwich. I'm not a creature of habit by nature, far from it however I think I'm going to be a staple regular at the delicious new home from home. Can't wait for my next visit.

[steveo]

They never learn

[Earl Aelfheah]

Laura, the sock puppetry doesn't tend to go down too well on this forum. You may want to think about removing the post before the inevitable avalanche of abuse starts.

[Mick Mac]

Laura Danielle 86 Wrote:

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

> Wow!! This beautifully constructed menu is well

> worth a try. In fact those that don't go are well

> and truly missing out. I visited spinach for its

> soft opening on Wednesday and sampled some (quite

> a few) of what this exciting menu had to offer. i

> think I've stumbled across my new favourite south

> London restaurant! Between the intriguing wine

> selection and the incredible dishes that are on

> offer I'd find a harder spot to rival this new

> restaurant in east dulwich. I'm not a creature of

> habit by nature, far from it however I think I'm

> going to be a staple regular at the delicious new

> home from home. Can't wait for my next visit.

Wow - sounds brilliant - but I really detest spinach. Puts me right off.

[Elphinstone's Army]

steveo Wrote:

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

> They never learn

wish I could hit the green up button for this comment, made me laugh, thanks

[Elphinstone's Army]

Laura Danielle 86 Wrote:

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

> Wow!! This beautifully constructed menu is well

> worth a try. In fact those that don't go are well

> and truly missing out. I visited spinach for its

> soft opening on Wednesday and sampled some (quite

> a few) of what this exciting menu had to offer. i

> think I've stumbled across my new favourite south

> London restaurant! Between the intriguing wine

> selection and the incredible dishes that are on

> offer I'd find a harder spot to rival this new

> restaurant in east dulwich. I'm not a creature of

> habit by nature, far from it however I think I'm

> going to be a staple regular at the delicious new

> home from home. Can't wait for my next visit.

gilding the lily

[Cassius]

Laura Danielle 86 Wrote:

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

> Wow!! This beautifully constructed menu is well

> worth a try. In fact those that don't go are well

> and truly missing out. I visited spinach for its

> soft opening on Wednesday and sampled some (quite

> a few) of what this exciting menu had to offer. i

> think I've stumbled across my new favourite south

> London restaurant! Between the intriguing wine

> selection and the incredible dishes that are on

> offer I'd find a harder spot to rival this new

> restaurant in east dulwich. I'm not a creature of

> habit by nature, far from it however I think I'm

> going to be a staple regular at the delicious new

> home from home. Can't wait for my next visit.

That's put me right off!

[KidKruger]

"Wow!! This beautifully constructed menu is well worth a try. In fact those that don't go are well and truly missing out. I visited spinach for its soft opening on Wednesday and sampled some (quite a few) of what this exciting menu had to offer. i think I've stumbled across my new favourite south London restaurant! Between the intriguing wine selection and the incredible dishes that are on offer I'd find a harder spot to rival this new restaurant in east dulwich. I'm not a creature of habit by nature, far from it however I think I'm going to be a staple regular at the delicious new home from home. Can't wait for my next visit."

If you negate it, it reads:

"Jeezus!! This terribly put together 'menu' is just not worth the bother. In fact those who do go are well and truly wasting their time. I visited spinach for its soft opening on Wednesday and sampled some (quite a few) of what this boring menu had to offer. I know I've stumbled upon a terrible south London restaurant! Between the predictable wine selection and the average dishes on offer I can easily find a better spot to rival this place in east dulwich. I'm not a creature of habit by nature and I think just as well based on what I've seen. Won't be going there again."

There you are, two ficticious reviews, the truth probably lying somewhere between each extreme.

[alice]

Well I did go, sampled a couple of small plates and was very impressed.

[Sue]

Laura Danielle 86 Wrote:

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

> Wow!! This beautifully constructed menu is well

> worth a try. In fact those that don't go are well

> and truly missing out. I visited spinach for its

> soft opening on Wednesday and sampled some (quite

> a few) of what this exciting menu had to offer. i

> think I've stumbled across my new favourite south

> London restaurant! Between the intriguing wine

> selection and the incredible dishes that are on

> offer I'd find a harder spot to rival this new

> restaurant in east dulwich. I'm not a creature of

> habit by nature, far from it however I think I'm

> going to be a staple regular at the delicious new

> home from home. Can't wait for my next visit.

Oh dear oh dear.

I will feel crushed and devalued eating anywhere else now.

[Siduhe]

Laura Danielle 86 Wrote:

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

> Wow!! This beautifully constructed menu is well

> worth a try. In fact those that don't go are well

> and truly missing out. I visited spinach for its

> soft opening on Wednesday and sampled some (quite

> a few) of what this exciting menu had to offer. i

> think I've stumbled across my new favourite south

> London restaurant! Between the intriguing wine

> selection and the incredible dishes that are on

> offer I'd find a harder spot to rival this new

> restaurant in east dulwich. I'm not a creature of

> habit by nature, far from it however I think I'm

> going to be a staple regular at the delicious new

> home from home. Can't wait for my next visit.

She forgot the obligatory, local paper style review "after our incredible main courses, I was almost too full for dessert. However I just couldn't resist the luscious [insert food item here]".

[teddyboy23]

Leave LD86 alone I'm positive she refused a bribe

[Dog duck]

KidKruger Wrote:

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

> "Wow!! This beautifully constructed menu is well

> worth a try. In fact those that don't go are well

> and truly missing out. I visited spinach for its

> soft opening on Wednesday and sampled some (quite

> a few) of what this exciting menu had to offer. i

> think I've stumbled across my new favourite south

> London restaurant! Between the intriguing wine

> selection and the incredible dishes that are on

> offer I'd find a harder spot to rival this new

> restaurant in east dulwich. I'm not a creature of

> habit by nature, far from it however I think I'm

> going to be a staple regular at the delicious new

> home from home. Can't wait for my next visit."

>

> If you negate it, it reads:

> "Jeezus!! This terribly put together 'menu' is

> just not worth the bother. In fact those who do go

> are well and truly wasting their time. I visited

> spinach for its soft opening on Wednesday and

> sampled some (quite a few) of what this boring

> menu had to offer. I know I've stumbled upon a

> terrible south London restaurant! Between the

> predictable wine selection and the average dishes

> on offer I can easily find a better spot to rival

> this place in east dulwich. I'm not a creature of

> habit by nature and I think just as well based on

> what I've seen. Won't be going there again."

>

> There you are, two ficticious reviews, the truth

> probably lying somewhere between each extreme.

Good one!

[khedley]

We've just had a lovely brunch at Spinach. Welcoming, friendly staff (unlike the previous establishment) and a mixed crowd. Much lighter and feels like there's more space than Le Chandeier which I always found quite oppressive. Interesting menu with some more and less usual offerings in the veg and egg space. The opportunity to add meat sides is a bonus (for a family of meathead boys). Given its only day two of brunch service the timing and quality of the output was impressive. Would encourage people to get behind them and give it a whirl.

[katanita]

So torn, it sounds lovely, but I am so so put off by the apparent fake review above. Anyone from Spinach care to comment on that post?

[alice]

Go for the food - packed when I went sat night.

[khedley]

Katanita - whether the original effusive post was authentic or not, we had a great time and will definitely be back. Think we should be giving new independents the benefit of the doubt and local support - lest we be inundated with anymore chain burger restaurants - and that's coming from someone who was quite excited about the arrival of Meat Liquor....

[KidKruger]

And there's the rub. You could have the best food in town, but fake reviews lose custom before you've even started.

There's something about blatant lying that just puts people off.

[DulwichFox]

KidKruger Wrote:

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

> And there's the rub. You could have the best food

> in town, but fake reviews lose custom before

> you've even started.

> There's something about blatant lying that just

> puts people off.

Yep.. especially when it comes from a first time poster.. as soon as the place opens..

Common mistake.. Let us not be too harsh and give Spinach a chance.

Will wait for more feedback then take a look at the Menu before trying.

DulwichFox

[Sue]

They don't have the menu on their website.

At least I couldn't see it.

Would be helpful to get an idea of kind of food and price. Even if it was just a sample menu.

Though I too was put off by what appeared to be a fake review by a first time poster who has not posted anything since.

Why oh why do people do this?

[DulwichFox]

Sue Wrote:

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

> They don't have the menu on their website.

>

> At least I couldn't see it.

>

> Would be helpful to get an idea of kind of food

> and price. Even if it was just a sample menu.

>

> Though I too was put off by what appeared to be a

> fake review by a first time poster who has not

> posted anything since.

>

> Why oh why do people do this?

Yes .. Not much of a website.. Menu would be useful

Foxy

[Earl Aelfheah]

Yes the sock puppet review was a bit of a PR blunder, but hopefully everyone can be kind. It must be incredibly nerve racking opening a new restaurant. I really do wish them well - it sounds great on paper, looking forward to trying it.

[AllyCat]

I went to Spinach on Friday night with a friend, and I thought it was great!

The interior is lovely - whitewashed walls, and lots of greenery? and the staff were very friendly and helpful.

There is a choice of tapas style dished (about ?6 a plate) and main dishes to have yourself?.

My friend and I had 5 sharing dishes between us - which we on;y just managed (eyes bigger then our bellies!) and they were all lovely..

It's not a vegetarian restaurant - but vegetables are a main focus? chicken thigh with squash puree, quails scotch eggs in variety of veggie coatings, prawns with amazing herbs?.

Lovely wine list too

Don't be put off by the 'fake' reviewer?.

I'll definitely be heading back - it's a great addition to the Lane