Cafe Rouge Dulwich Village - Closing next weekend

[annabel42]

Penge?

[Bovine Juice]

A lot of former ED residents now live in Penge. It's well served for pubs and transport but could do with more choice on the restaurant front. A non-Italian/pizza/Indian option would make a killing.

[NewWave]

Forest Hill has some ok places The Perry vale behind the station is same owners as The crooked Well and does great food.

And St Davids has good evening pop-ups

[malumbu]

Upper Street is an interesting example - all chains close to the Angel and far more indies nearer to Highbury and Islington. I expect this is something to do with the rent.

Yet looking at the queues at Pret at lunchtime where I work to a fraction of the number of people at the cafe over the road (that also does take out) it is us/you as well. Big brands rule sadly.

[Robert Poste's Child]

The argument about chains has come up a lot on the EDF over the years and, despite everyone's fears, although a few have come in it's still a good mix of those and independents and small chains.

Sometimes it sounds like people feel helpless victims of these businesses and landlords, but we live in a capitalist society and the your most powerful vote is where you choose to spend your money. If we don't want chains in this area we can choose not to use Caffe Nero, M&S, Pizza Express, Sainsbury's et al. They're highly commercial and if they don't get the footfall they'll quickly go away or risk failing.

What surprised me most about Cafe Rouge is that they didn't pull out of DV five or six years earlier.

[Mick Mac]

The Caf? Rouge used to be ok, we had been only a couple of times, but went again a few months ago and it was very tired, I can see now that they were probably winding down.

The Real Greek might be ok, will probably give it a try at some stage, have tried the covent garden version, but I guess it's similar fayre to Hisar?

I imagine after a few drinks in the Dog, a wander over for some Greek style food/meze might be quite inviting.

[Ollie4sam]

We went to The Real Greek on Sunday, and I have to say it's a vast improvement on the tired Cafe Rouge. 25% off while they train staff was an added bonus, but I think it was reasonably priced even without - under ?100 for six (inc. two kids) before the discount (although we didn't have any booze).

Food was great, chips beautifully crisp, wraps and salads lovely and fresh. Slight disappointments were the halloumi and the octopus, which were both a little rubbery as they were either slightly overcooked, or may have been standing for a while. Not bad, just slightly disappointing.

The food was served in stacked plates (like a high tea service) which was fun, and the kids loved it.

It's quite plain in terms of decor, trying to reflect the Greek vibe, but this does mean the noise bounces around in there - I'm sure the low ceiling doesn't help either.

Kids menu was excellent value I thought given the quality (esp. the OJ) and quantity - I just hope that this isn't something that declines as they build up a customer base. Wouldn't be the first time that portions shrink or quality drops off a few months after a restaurant opens!

[uncleglen]

I make a point of never patronising a shop that doesn't put prices in the window....it's like they're saying 'if you need to know the price, you can't afford it'...well I can afford it but I'd rather not buy it from you matey....

[Seabag]

uncleglen Wrote:

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

> I make a point of never patronising a shop that

> doesn't put prices in the window....it's like

> they're saying 'if you need to know the price, you

> can't afford it'...well I can afford it but I'd

> rather not buy it from you matey....

And on this basis Uncle Grim voted for Brexit

[Nigello]

Wow - talk about catty! It's reasonable to be able to see what you'll be eating and how much you'll be expected to pay. Who wants to be stung or have to awkwardly ask questions about price? Most people are on a budget but perhaps not all EDF folk!

[BrandNewGuy]

"All pubs and restaurants should display their prices clearly to their customers. Restaurants must show prices with their menu at or near their entrance so people will know how much they'll be charged."

https://www.mylawyer.co.uk/law-a-A76076D76384/?A76076D76384=

[Ollie4sam]

They've only just opened, so I assume it's an oversight that will be corrected. Menu (with prices) is very easy to find online, so it's not like they're hiding it.

[Louisa]

I went for a leisurely stroll yesterday to the village and had a read of the menu, and prices were displayed on the menu outside by the door. So not sure who's saying they don't display prices? They clearly do!

Louisa.

[Take Note]

Uncle Grim!! :)

Good one

[Sue]

I find it quite amusing that they give the calories in each dish so precisely.

How can they possibly be sure that every dish of pork belly is exactly 503kcal?!

:))

http://www.therealgreek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/TRG119-Main-Menu-PG-1.pdf

It all looks very yummy, and I got quite excited about the very reasonable prices until I noticed that they are recommending "three or four mezes per person", and then you have to add salad etc ......

Oh well .....