New Shops in Dulwich / Peckham

[derwentgrove]

So it looks as if the 'soft opening' of Yama Momo (formerly Adventure Bar) is upon us tomorrow:

http://www.yamamomo.co.uk/

Quite impressed if that is right because it looked very much a work in progress as recently as last week.

[TheCat]

I dont know about Louise and Dulwich Fox hijacking every thread...that may be a little strong...

Personally I love hearing that Pizza is just cheese on toast....again....and again....

[bornagain]

Cor it's a bit pricey isn't it? Having recently been to Japan and ate v.v. well for v. reasonable prices, it is depressing that you have to pay through the nose for this. Is ED ready for such top end fare (at least price-wise)?

derwentgrove Wrote:

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

> So it looks as if the 'soft opening' of Yama Momo

> (formerly Adventure Bar) is upon us tomorrow:

>

> http://www.yamamomo.co.uk/

>

> Quite impressed if that is right because it looked

> very much a work in progress as recently as last

> week.

[Mustard]

Does a soft opening mean that prices are 50% off?

[Southeast Twenty Stu]

It's just over priced fish fingers. Sorry, went all a bit Louisa there.

[nxjen]

Raw fish fingers

[NewWave]

The prices seem average for a good Japanese restaurant with a decent menu.

Yes..it IS more expensive than 'Wasabi' which is the japaneese version of pret-a-manger, but the ingredients will doubtlessly be superior.

Try eating in a decent Japanese restaurant in the west end or Notting Hill and you will see that this is not overpriced at all.

I lived in Tokyo and yes, you can eat great food reasonably but like any big city there are some shockingly overpriced

and pretentious but mediocre sashimi and Sushi places too.

[Bluelagoon]

I know this topic has gone back to the irresistible topic of pizza, but I am actually quite pleased that small and often independent businesses (like the rather lovely new Hop Burn & Blacks) are opening up in closed down units; they are people's passion projects, or in some cases small chains.

This is different from the ridiculous over gentrification of other areas of London where they are loosing music venues and other things that make London the colourful and vibrant city it is (was) at an alarming rate. Take the redevelopment of Elephant & Castle - The Heygate was a troubled estate, and the roundabout is still a nightmare, but replacing the shopping centre with swathes of office blocks and branches of chain restaurants which will be the only things that can afford the rent, as they seem to be planning to do at 'Elephant Park'.

I guess the risk is that one leads to the other, once the developers get a sniff of something going on.

Anyway, a slightly incoherent Saturday morning argument that I'm sure will get ripped to shreds.

[Jeremy]

If the sushi (confusingly under the "Tsunami Menu" section) is for two pieces, the price is not too outrageous. But if it's only one piece, then it's way too expensive.

Don't really think it's fair to compare it to the price of sushi in Japan though.

[woodleigh]

Andricia - I have some sympathy for your comment. It has been great to see so many new businesses opening and thriving over the last few years. When I moved here 8 years ago, I was attracted by the quality of the housing stock, the green spaces, and initial signs of a great foodie scene (ED Deli, William Rose, Moxons, Franklins, SMBS). Since then, the initial trail blazers have been joined so many great additions to Lordship Lane, New Cross Road, and more recently Bellenden.

It is a shame that certain contributors to the Forum are negative about the prospect of the opening of a new shop or restaurant that doesn?t fit with their taste ? and then pull rank on others based on a notion that entitlement to an opinion should be based on the number of years spent living in the area.

The basic laws of economics tell us that supply responds to demand. The reason that we have (for example) shops selling (say) organic produce and (dare I say it) other ?stuff for the middle classes? is because that is what a large (and increasing) part of the local population wants ? me included. If this is how we want to spend some of our spare cash, then local retail will respond accordingly. I would not dream of judging someone for wanting (or needing) to shop at Iceland, or buying their bread and cakes from Hirst Bakery, or having lunch at the Dulwich Cafe. So I don?t expect someone else to judge me for preferring to spend my money on sourdough from Franklins, French patisserie from Jade, an expensive bottle of wine from Chez Bruno, or a meal at one of the pricier local restaurants. A walk up Lordship Lane on a Saturday suggests that I am not alone.

Of course, there are others who are not in the same position. But there is no tirade of abuse on this Forum against the shops that cater for the less wealthy part of the local population. I don?t see how sarcastic comments about new businesses before they have even appeared is of any interest other than occasional mild entertainment in the slanging match that usually ensues.

I wonder if those who do not like what East Dulwich has become might consider cashing in on the huge increase in the value of their homes that they will have enjoyed thanks to the influx of the new middle-class sourdough eaters, and find somewhere less posh to live!

[Jeremy]

A new Tapas bar is opening in the old Southerden premises on choumert Rd.

[mancity68]

Went to the trial run for new place on Peckham Rye today. Opens properly on Tuesday. Called Pedlar, near the Blue Tit hairdressers.

Very lovely food, lovely staff, lovely drinks.

[Peckhamrye]

Well said Woodleigh.

[Louisa]

woodleigh Wrote:

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

>

> I wonder if those who do not like what East

> Dulwich has become might consider cashing in on

> the huge increase in the value of their homes that

> they will have enjoyed thanks to the influx of the

> new middle-class sourdough eaters, and find

> somewhere less posh to live!

Or maybe those very people (many of whom contribute to this forum) have already been forced out of the place they were born in because the sour dough eaters have moved in and priced them out the place they grew up in? Just a thought :)

Louisa.

[Alan Medic]

Not a lot of thought though.

[Louisa]

Don't think much thought needs to go into a no-brainer. Areas change, old shops close new ones open in their place. All givens. Gentrification contributes to said changes. Sometimes the rate of change is slow, other times it's fast. In London (arguably because of gentrification and rising property prices) it's become a ridiculously fast rate of change. So fast, that not only can people born and brought up in a neighborhood not afford to live/buy/rent there, but others on better salaries who were brought up in even more expensive parts of the same city, can no longer afford to live their either. If that's a pace of change everyone is happy with fair enough. I don't think it is.

Louisa.

[DulwichFox]

woodleigh Wrote:

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

>

> I wonder if those who do not like what East

> Dulwich has become might consider cashing in on

> the huge increase in the value of their homes that

> they will have enjoyed thanks to the influx of the

> new middle-class sourdough eaters, and find

> somewhere less posh to live!

I sometime wonder how much more it might of risen in price if I could still park outside my home at all times.

and did not have to put up with hot-dogs and onion smells wafting up my road on Saturdays.

And the constant traffic up and down my road.

People come to markets.. No one CHOOSES to LIVE on / near one

DulwichFox

[Peckhamrye]

This thread seems to have crystalized into Louise and Dulwich Fox against everyone else? Which must indicate something...places change, people change, we live in one of the most vibrant, burgeoning diverse cities in the world. If you really dislike what is happening round here then yes, realise your assets and move to Nantwich.

[DulwichFox]

Peckhamrye Wrote:

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

> This thread seems to have crystalized into Louise

> and Dulwich Fox against everyone else? Which must

> indicate something...places change, people change,

> we live in one of the most vibrant, burgeoning

> diverse cities in the world. If you really dislike

> what is happening round here then yes, realise

> your assets and move to Nantwich.

Why should people that have lived here all there lives have to move out.

When I go on holiday I want to see the cultures of the places I go to.

Much of Spain (Not one of my destinations) has been destroyed my the Brits abroad brigade.

People that find the need to change everything to suit their needs because they dislike

what's already there.

People with nothing positive to say themselves just go for the Bash Foxy and Louisa in a vague

attempt to make themselves popular with others.

Its very tedious listening to the lot of you going on about either of us every time

one of us voices an opinion and not adding anything positive to the discussion your self.

DF

[Louisa]

It's not about disliking what is happening here, it's about solving the problems which have resulted. And anyway, I'd argue gentrification isn't necessarily the friend of diversity in a city such as London. It tends to create 'clone' wealthy and less diverse neighbourhoods. Fortunately, Lordship Lane still has diversity in retail. However, as the house prices rise and rise, only wealthy cash buyers will be able to move here. It's happening now. That leads to retail as well as social diversity gradually becoming homogenised.

Louisa.

[just_browsing]

On the subject of new shops in the area (and throwing Nunhead into the area, forgive me), some reactions to some of the new places -

- Cafe G - on day two they seemed a bit overwhelmed by the occasion and quickly ran out of food, but by now they seem to have got into the swing of things, with lovely service, great coffee, proper hot chocolate and nice looking food. Also they seem to have a lot more custom than their predecessor (can't explain this myself as I liked the old one as much if not more) and not only folks with kids in tow (nothing wrong with that, hasten to add). It does feel a little echoey, and it doesn't ooze character, but I think that's inevitable in a space this big. The gymboree appears to be well divided so it's certainly not like relaxing in a cr?che, which some people were worried about. Will definitely go back, and pop in when strolling past, but I don't think it's a patch on the more intimate likes of Cafe Viva, Lerryn's, Blue Brick, Aneto..

- Hop, Burns and Black - quick confession - I am an absolute craft beer fanatic, so both this place and the next are very much designed to appeal to me. However, there are many places that sell craft beer that I wouldn't feel the need to post about because, well, they're fine but that's it. Hop Burns and Black is a level up - it really is a pretty special place and I hope it's a business success. They sell a great range of beers from all over the UK and world, some lovely looking wines and cider, and some devilish hot sauces, plus an eclectic small selection of vinyl. Their hot (spicy) pork scratchings are both delicious and dangerously hot by the way. They also have a remarkable device for filling a beautiful Hop, Burns and Black glass flagon with a selection of draft/cask beers. You can also drink in with a few seats at the front - you probably wouldn't linger there all evening but with fantastic scotch eggs, wonderful music and the lovely owners there to chat with, it's definitely worth trying an exciting new beer. This really is marvellous.

- The Beer Shop, Nunhead - basically a tiny pub/beer shop serving beers from London only, a few nice ciders and some other eclectic drinks, which opened on Evelina on Thursday. Seem like another set of lovely people trying to get a beer-based small business off the ground, with great branding, style and fantastic customer service. Nunhead needs this sort of place, in my view (and clarity on what sort of person I am for those on the forum who really care about social stereotyping), and I hope it succeeds. The idea of this whole area, with the Brick Brewery, Clarkshaws Brewery, Flying Pig, plus beer selections on the East Dulwich Tavern, Montpelier, Four Quarters and elsewhere, becoming a burgeoning craft beer haven fills me with excitement.

- Pedler - a lovely new restaurant mentioned above that has soft launched this weekend. They serve delicious food in a stylish setting in a normally pretty uninspiring southern stretch of Rye Lane. This place would be a hit on Lordship Lane or Bellenden Road, no doubt. While the food was really nice, I would say that I don't think it competes with Artusi for value of money (few great quality places do, and I am sure I will be told there are plenty of traditional, longstanding places on Lordship Lane where one can contentedly eat a year's worth of hearty goodness for the price of a starter in this upstart..). We paid half price as it was the soft launch weekend - double what we paid would have ensured this is far more of a rare treat destination for us than a regular haunt, but don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic addition and once they've sorted out teething issues with slow service and the like, they'll be a big hit for many in the area. They also specialise in cocktails, as they are affiliated with a Bermondsey gin brand, so will presumably be a go-to end of the evening place for some. As someone who spends the working week looking forward to a good weekend brunch with a book/papers, I will definitely be back soon to sample their brunch too.

A few doors along there will be a coffee shop opening (in the literal sense - they will sell coffee beans roasted to order on site), which also doubles up as a social enterprise working with the homeless. Sounds great and very worthwhile to me.

Meanwhile another new venture will be Miss Tapas, replacing Southerden next to Cafe Viva. Their website makes them sound really nice.

I also happen to love the new French place on Lordship Lane and look forward to seeing what the new pizza and sushi places have to offer, along with the new Indian eatery being offered on a separate thread and of course Brickhouse Bakery. Always keen to try everywhere (well, everywhere that, if good, does stuff I like) at least once.

Quick self identification in the hope of avoiding too much of the inevitable social sidetracking that seems to plague most threads - I fear I'm probably Louisa's idea of hell (this, to be clear, is a tongue in cheek comment) - a thirty something year old who moved from around Clapham Junction to buy in the area for the first time, I originate from outside of London, like occasionally treating to myself to a nice meal/drink as that's what a treat is for me, rather than expensive clothes or whatnot. I don't know why I should feel mildly ashamed of this, but somehow I feel the need to 'out' myself in this way. I do feel the need for an off-topic and mildly hypocritical defence, and I hope I'll be forgiven - I love the area, both the new and the old elements, the occasional edginess of Peckham and the moments of yummy mumminess in East Dulwich, for example. It's the mix that I think makes us lucky to live here and I don't think a few enterprising people starting small businesses, or small chains replacing small chains (see the new pizza place) equates to the end of an era - it seems to me that London's modern era, including this area's, has always been dynamic - changing and evolving, never static or sterile and that's just how it is. Social upheaval, often accelerated by house price booms and bubbles, can be identified across London. That doesn't make it a good thing of course, I just think that new businesses and those of us who happen to have been born at the time when we were and with not unusual or outrageous aspirations of living somewhere nice where we can get to where most jobs are within a convenient amount of time etc, should feel free to welcome new places without worrying about being fingerpointed as being among the four horsemen.

Sorry to drift off topic everyone. To return to the theme - all these four places seem to me to be excellent and very welcome additions to our wider area. They are all run by enterprising people who have bravely sought to do something new (except perhaps Cafe G) in their locations with a distinct brand - best of luck to them all!

[DulwichFox]

It amazes me that with our close proximity to Peckham and Brixton there are no

African / Caribbean restaurants in East Dulwich.

There is seemingly no request from EDF users for such a restaurant.

Why is that. ? White middle class nimby's

DulwichFox

[just_browsing]

Or is it because of this very close proximity that anyone who wants these restaurants knows that there are plenty of options either a walk or a short bus ride away? Difficult to be sure either way. The recent Peckham Peculiar has a good article on a Nigerian restaurant that I'm keen to try.

Any recommendations for African/Caribbean restaurants would be great, new or old - I expect using the search function will throw up some options.

[DulwichFox]

just_browsing Wrote:

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

> Or is it because of this very close proximity that

> anyone who wants these restaurants knows that

> there are plenty of options either a walk or a

> short bus ride away?

If your argument holds any water, why then have a Franco Manca here in ED when there is one in Brixton.

and this is the point I try to make constantly.

I rest my case.

DulwicgFox

[just_browsing]

Firstly, I wasn't making an argument but rather asking a question and I hoped the follow-up sentence would make that clear. Second,(again, to be clear, this is more a question than an argument) were lots of people shouting out for a Franco Manca before it was announced/rumoured? I expect if an African restaurant opened up there would be lots of people looking forward to its opening, but that's distinct from baying for one in the first place.

Anyway, I would be interested by other people's (other than me, not other than Dulwich Fox, to be clear..) reactions to or information on some of the new places that have both opened and are due to open.