ladywotlunches Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Yesterday I, along with Man and Boywotlunches, decided on the way back from Battersea Zoo that we'd stop off for a spot of lunch. The weather was closing in and time was getting on so we wanted somewhere child-friendly and relatively quick.After trawling round all the usual suspects for about an hour - all with no joy (no tables, kitchen closed due to volume of orders etc), we ended up in The Uplands on NX Road. Why we didn't try there earlier I don't know.They have special Roast dinners on Sundays - we didn't partake but saw the plates and they looked very good. The menu is classic pub grub - steak sandwiches, burgers, fish fingers etc for the kids, with some salads, pasta options and bangers & mash, I remember.It was quiet, but that was good as it meant service was quick. The staff there were really friendly and helpful, the portions were huge and tasty. And there were some yummy pudding options too.At risk of losing our spur of the moment bolthole, just wanted to let forumites know about this as an option on a Sunday. I know that some have used the Uplands for hotel rooms, but they have more strings to their bow, it seems! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJS Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 i often do the same on a Saturday - love it for good seating and hoonest grub and great prices... Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179200 Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Bob* Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Well it's not exactly 'hidden', is it? Everybody knows where it is. And being at the top of NXR if there's anywhere that ought to be full on the weekend, it ought to be there. I must have walked past it several hundred times and haven't considered going in as of yet. It doesn't look very appealing (more 'a bit rubbish') and I'm guessing I'm not alone, on account of the 'good seating' to be had there. The weird menu makeover they did recently "Sea Bass gently coaxed out of a pristine ocean and persuaded to perch on a light bed of organic loveliness" was even more confusing. Has that been jettisoned now then?Don't know what it would take to get me in there but it hasn't happened yet. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179216 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Max Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Don't know what it would take to get me in there but it hasn't happened yet. Peter Mandelson at a corner table, a map of East Dulwich in his hand and a beckoning grin? A 1960s Petula Clark working the pumps, looking for a song writer to make her famous? A free brusary to the local Posh School for mini-Bob with every order over ?10? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179231 Share on other sites More sharing options...
daizie Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I tried the Uplands three times last year. The food was average. There were groups of chav's and the place had no atmosphere. Who actually goes there?? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179232 Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Bob* Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 > Don't know what it would take to get me in there> but it hasn't happened yet. Not looking like a cross between a Yates's Wine Lodge and Argos would be a start. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179234 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladywotlunches Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 Indeed - the decor leaves a lot to be desired, its been through several changes of management (and no redecoration) in the 8 years I've lived close by, and there is a definite 'clique' of locals at the bar.But the staff are welcoming, its a small business, and they may want to do more to the place if they had the revenue to justify it. With The Plough being one of the places we tried and failed to get food in yesterday, Mr LWL said "if they painted it muted shades of dark green and beige and called it 'The Queen's Head' or something similar, it would be heaving. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179254 Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Bob* Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 It's an image problem for sure.. I've no reason to think anything other than good-eggery on the part of the staff or current punters (hopefully the earlier pointless 'chav' slur can be ignored..)But let's be honest the place looks really rubbish, and not even in an endearingly rubbish way. Just.. pants. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179267 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Max Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I think it's been blanded out a bit internally, has it not, from its orange'n'blue heyday? Certainly to the left as you go in, on the kitchen side, looks different to me. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179280 Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Bob* Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I try not to look at it - it hurts my eyes. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179281 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladywotlunches Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 Oh - and I do believe beer and wine are priced *relatively* reasonably (didn't pay, so don't know for sure). After a few beverages, the decor may not become as noticeable! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179286 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loz Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 The Uplands was the place with the rude barmaid. Is she still there?Previous thread Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179408 Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmlow Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 It is funny - lived here for years and NEVER been in there, and have no reason why.Think I will give it a shot.I tried The Plough on sun for a roast - was nice too. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179417 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikecg Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Ive been there a few times although deader than a dead thing I actually like it in there the beers good and the staff are friendly, really nice for a quite drink with a few friends. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179435 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I think it's a lot nicer than it was, would be a great place to have lunch BUT went there once since the new chef and the renovation, the food looked very nice when it arrived (supposedly Cumberland sausages and mash), beautifully arranged on the plate, but the sausages appeared to contain no meat at all and had the texture of a damp flannel, and the mash was curiously tasteless despite the use of three different fresh herbs mixed in and placed around the sausages.Wasn't that cheap and wasn't good value for money at all - we're back at Franklins for their excellent Welsh rarebit for a fiver.Shame, because the Uplands is just round the corner from my house and I really wanted to like the food :-S Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179520 Share on other sites More sharing options...
KalamityKel Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 What did they say when you told them about the state of their sausages Sue? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179547 Share on other sites More sharing options...
karter Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Great pub, great food, great staff. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179649 Share on other sites More sharing options...
daizie Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 is it opposite a betting shop?? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179753 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 KalamityKel Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> What did they say when you told them about the> state of their sausages Sue?xxxxxxI didn't have the heart. When they arrived, I said "ooh, that looks nice" and the person who brought them over said "Yes, we've got a new chef, he's really good."So that made the first mouthful even more disappointing .....But basically I bottled out. However as I left most of it maybe they might have realised .....Shame, I'd have loved to have found a nice quiet spot just round the corner to read the papers and have lunch and a pint after a hard night at the Goose, but lo, it was not to be :-$ Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179771 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 I live opposite and love it in there. All the old boys standing at the bar are born and bred East Dulwich folks, old boys, the type of people you always used to find in local pubs... I have been going in for over a year now and talk to pretty much all of them about the price of fish. Its feel local.Lets hope it stays 'a bit rubbish' looking so it continues to the be the hidden gem that it is! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179791 Share on other sites More sharing options...
standswithfist Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 I've been in there recently during the day with my baby. The staff were lovely and the food normal pub grub. I liked it inside and feel its somewhere i can go on my own and not feel like I stand out. I will certainly be returning again. I can't comment on the evenings though. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-179792 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keef Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Staff are lovely, and so nice with kids in the afternoons. Thing that bugs me is the awful acoustics, sound bouncing around. Used to be a proper old school pub, and whoevs ripped the front out was a total knob with no forward thinking. Basically it's a horrid building, but nice enough place for a beer, and the locals won't hurt you, they might even be friendly if you don't look down your nose at them. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-180345 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wisey Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 About 2-3 years ago (clearly under previous management) I went there with a friend for an after work drink, as we live nearby it was always an easy place to meet up, get decent enough food, could always get a seat, etc. However, in between paying for our drinks and leaving maybe an hour later, my wallet had been stolen from my coat, and when I raised the issue with the bar staff, they were completely uninterested. Upon requesting to use their phone to phone the police, they refused saying it wasn't their problem and if I used their phone it might affect their license... I have not set foot in the place since. Upon reporting it to the police, it apparently wasn't the first time this had happened in this pub.Despite it's great location unfortunately it's battling against rather a large image problem. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-180445 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keef Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Funnily enough, when my wallet was stolen (not in the uplands), someone tried to use my debit card in the uplands the next day. Annoyingly, I think they got away with 50 quid too (didn't cost me, but annoying to think the scum got a penny). There have been a couple of managers in there who seemed to have real lack of people skills, but these guys seem nice. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-180483 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 What?s its situation, is it brewery owned and managed or pub co. or is it privately owned? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5575-the-uplands-a-hidden-gem/#findComment-180486 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now