Ideas for re-fit of Mon Petit Chou

[dungdag]

I've been asked to help the owner of Mon Petit Chou on Lordship Lane to come up with some suggestions for redesigning Mon Petit Chou now that it has been granted an A3 restaurant and alcohol license.

I'm very interested to hear the opinions of locals as to how it could improve or what you would like to see on Lordship Lane in the way of eateries.

I think it's a fantastic coffee shop, but how do we turn that into a great evening venue? What would make you come for a coffee or a glass of wine if you don't already do so?

All views are welcome!

Ellie at Dulwich Design Ltd

[dungdag]

I've been asked to help the owner of Mon Petit Chou on Lordship Lane to come up with some suggestions for redesigning Mon Petit Chou now that it has been granted an A3 restaurant and alcohol license.

I'm very interested to hear the opinions of locals as to how it could improve or what you would like to see on Lordship Lane in the way of eateries.

I think it's a fantastic coffee shop, but how do we turn that into a great evening venue? What would make you come for a coffee or a glass of wine if you don't already do so?

All views are welcome!

Ellie at Dulwich Design Ltd

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

edited for ridiculous entry - confusing with petitou!

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

edited for ridiculous entry - confusing with petitou!

[hat282]

You would need proper sized tables for starters. I am a fan of this place but it is just not comfortable enough to spend a longer time in.

[snorky]

Bono themed eaterie

[dulwichmum]

It looks OK from the outside, but the colours are very cold inside and if I remember rightly, there is a platform or step and fence in the middle of the shop - this and the tiled or lino floor always puts me off. I don't know why, but I imagine it feels a bit like being inside a mobile home (I myself have never ever set foot inside a caravan).

They should go for a more upmarket/artesan rustic look from the outside, perhaps some nice off white shade from Farrow and Ball, a wooden floor, much more comfortable seats and bigger tables.

[SteveT]

This is not a greasy spoon or a cheap eatery, it would do well to take the restaurant decor to the same standard as their cooking and billing.

[lenk]

They should theme it on William Burrough's The Naked Lunch.

Maybe rename it 'Interzone' and lose the straight-out-of-Mapp and Lucia name...

[SeanMacGabhann]

Metal tables have to go - a real bugbear for me

I've always thought the interior of MPC would benefit from darker, left-bank-Paris style, but again that's just me

As it is I'm glad to hear about the license change and look forward to popping in - best of luck

[missd]

The space needs to be made more comfortable -agreed on the warmer colours. Maybe something similar to Ottolenghi in Islington -which is excellent. Nice platters of salads etc at the front, cakes and pastries. Tables at the back for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Good luck -looking forward to seeing the changes.

[RosieH]

Not sure if the counter's going to be staying, but the whole feel of the place is very long and narrow - difficult to navigate especially if there are prams in there (not saying anything against prams! just that there's barely room for one person to pass if someone's waiting to pay let alone a 4x4)

Agreed on the tables - the accoustics are shocking at the moment - metal tables and uncomfortable chairs. I like the place a lot, but if I go there on my own for lunch when I'm working from home, I have to take an ipod as I find the noise incredibly intrusive.

On a not whingey note, I like both the idea of Ottolenghi and dark left-bank style. Wood is good and would soften the place and reflect the quality of the food.

[Sue]

Agree with what people have said, I don't find it a warm or welcoming place to sit as it is at present and a change in the decor and tables would definitely help.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Maybe Lenk it would be more fun to theme it on Edgar Rice Burroughs' novel!

[cate]

I think Ottolenghi should open a branch down here. His cookbook is sublime.

[lommer]

I think it says on the outside something about selling pastries (perhaps even that its a pattiserie). I went there specifically for some sweet pastries or a cake on a Friday afternoon and there was nothing of the sort! Only leek and cheese pastries!! I think there should be more sweet pastries or they should change the wording!

We ended up going to Le Chandon and having an over-priced pancake :(

I think that they should attempt to stand out in Dulwich by selling delicious food at reasonable prices in a pretty but unpretentious surrounding (not that everywhere in Dulwich is like that or anything...)

Hannah (not Lommer!)

[first mate]

It'd be nice to have somewhere a bit quirky, with a bit of character. I miss the old Blue Mountain with its Chinese room etc..

[Huguenot]

I agree, whacky is cool!

[Sue]

first mate Wrote:

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

> It'd be nice to have somewhere a bit quirky, with

> a bit of character. I miss the old Blue Mountain

> with its Chinese room etc..

xxxxxxx

Yes, so do I, the Blue Mountain used to be lovely when there were little separate rooms (though the service has always been terrible!) - it lost all its character when they changed the layout.

[bigbadwolf]

Did they have an Opium den?

[Sue]

Sadly not, that would have been quite an exotic thing to have round the corner :)

[cate]

I don't really like Petit Chou and haven't been in there for ages. The menu never seemed to vary; toasted sandwiches and soup. I would always go and have lunch at the old Blue Mountain when I was looking in Ed for a house. Back in those days there weren't many places to eat except for greasy spoons and pubs. Anyone remember when Grace and Favour had food?

[Sue]

Yes I do, but I remember when Grace and Favour was either a Greek deli or a newsagents, can't remember which :))

Wasn't called Grace and Favour then, obviously.

[cate]

Really liked the food at Grace and Favour. Shame it was closed down due to the influx of breastfeeders blocking the small eating area with their pushchairs and not buying enough food.

[thebeard]

dungdag Wrote:

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

> I've been asked to help the owner of Mon Petit

> Chou on Lordship Lane to come up with some

> suggestions for redesigning Mon Petit Chou now

> that it has been granted an A3 restaurant and

> alcohol license.

>

> I'm very interested to hear the opinions of locals

> as to how it could improve or what you would like

> to see on Lordship Lane in the way of eateries.

>

> I think it's a fantastic coffee shop, but how do

> we turn that into a great evening venue? What

> would make you come for a coffee or a glass of

> wine if you don't already do so?

>

> All views are welcome!

>

> Ellie at Dulwich Design Ltd

Is there any room for a glass floored dance floor with flashing lights etc and disco ball?

Maybe a pole in the middle for the odd dancer? (Plenty of them oddn?s in the area by all accounts).

What about making it mirrored on every surface?

Ie ceiling walls and floors or

Ummmmm

What about painting the whole place fluorescent yellow a la cyclists now obligatory yellow jacket that way the cyclists would blend into the background make them feel like they have somewhere special for them organic tea too.

What do we get paid if you use our Ideas?

Why do you not have any Ideas?

Are you getting paid for these Ideas?

What about employing topless Russian teens to serve behind the counter?

Now I?m running out of ideas and it?s getting silly?..