View Full Version : 'Honest Food', Coldharbour Lane (opp Phoenix)
We thought we'd give the new deli/cafe a go for lunch today and have to say we found it disappointing.
The plus points: nice, airy space, lots of organic food
The minuses: service really slow (despite the place being empty).
My applewood smoked cheddar toastie was nice, but devoid of any garnish and shunted on a small plate, it looked like a quick home made snack and overpriced at £2.75.
The guy completely forgot about my coffee and Eme's buckwheat and lentil crumble was deemed 'a bit basic.'
For some reason they've made the counter really high, so you can't really eat comfortably if you're sitting down.
The staff spent almost all of their time hidden away in the back, so I couldn't really judge if they were friendly or not.
It looks like they can't decide whether they want to be a cafe or a deli, and as such I can't see much of a future for them...
A case of, "it was poor, but it was honest," eh?
*gets coat*
tarannau
25-04-2006, 16:19
I think that spot's a little bit doomed. I've got to say I found the food in Cafe Pushkar just about averagely edible at best, with Bruno's downright disappointing if I'm honest.
Good luck to them, but it's not sounding too hopeful on those first impressions.
Good luck to them, but it's not sounding too hopeful on those first impressions.I'd like them to do well, but it almost felt like the staff (what we saw of them) didn't want to be there.
As soon as they could they disappeared into the back room (maybe there was something really exciting going on in there?).
I'm no fussy toff foodie, but if I wanted two bits of cheese on toast slapped up on a plate with zero presentation or garnish, I'd go across to the Phoenix.
In fact, that's where I'll go next time.
ChrisFilter
25-04-2006, 16:39
What sort of deli stuff do they do? Might have to pop in tonight!
As soon as they could they disappeared into the back room (maybe there was something really exciting going on in there?).
Maybe they were on U75. :D
What sort of deli stuff do they do? Might have to pop in tonight!It's a bit like Rosie Lite (the one in the indoor market)
Some of the home cooked pasties'n'stuff looked alright.
tarannau
25-04-2006, 16:41
Strange that the staff don't seem that enthusiastic, despite the fact they've only been open a short while. You'd think they would still have their opening enthusiasm about them.
I saw what I assumed to be the owners to be outside 'Honest Food' a few days before their opening, somewhat cackhandedly moving a chair and some equipment. Can't say the folks looked that happy then either and, I must admit, my intitial and somewhat facetious impressions were that that I hoped they would be less clumsy and awkward looking in the kitchen or they didn't stand a chance.
top_biller
25-04-2006, 22:04
It's a bit like Rosie Lite (the one in the indoor market)
Some of the home cooked pasties'n'stuff looked alright.
Rosie's is qu :cool: lity though.
Scrambled eggs and chilli jam on toast. Delicious.
Rosie's is qu :cool: lity though.
Scrambled eggs and chilli jam on toast. Delicious.
And mackerel pate :cool: :cool: :D
passpat2
27-04-2006, 10:49
What sort of deli stuff do they do? Might have to pop in tonight!
i use it every day.. give 'em a chance.. the salads were excellent.. had both a mackerel salad and a salmon.. very good.. the lamb sandwich is to die for.. and if you get there early have one of their fresh baked homemade pies... fantastic.. from what i know they are starting on a tight budget so lets give them a chance.. isnt it better having places like this rather than cafe nero, costa coffe etc??? i say lets support our local buisness' not try and pull 'em down b4 they have a chance.. get your self in there.. if you have critisism give it to them as constructive.. lets help them.. they are good people they go to church regularly,humanely trap rodents and change their underwear at least twice a week!!
I've got to say I found the food in Cafe Pushkar just about averagely edible at best
Really? God I loved that place! I miss it :(
ChrisFilter
27-04-2006, 11:17
i use it every day.. give 'em a chance.. the salads were excellent.. had both a mackerel salad and a salmon.. very good.. the lamb sandwich is to die for.. and if you get there early have one of their fresh baked homemade pies... fantastic.. from what i know they are starting on a tight budget so lets give them a chance.. isnt it better having places like this rather than cafe nero, costa coffe etc??? i say lets support our local buisness' not try and pull 'em down b4 they have a chance.. get your self in there.. if you have critisism give it to them as constructive.. lets help them.. they are good people they go to church regularly,humanely trap rodents and change their underwear at least twice a week!!
Yeah, I'd agree with this. Good point, well made.
tarannau
27-04-2006, 11:19
Really? God I loved that place! I miss it :(
Sadly I don't. Without trying to too badly slag off a departed restaurant, I found that place pretty poor in the food sense I'm honest.
A friend, like you, loved the place - she found it a convenient vegan stop off. But the food never grabbed me at all - all very worthy and wholesome looking, but always pretty damn tasteless. I think I must have eaten there at least 3 times - some kind of curry, a panini and something else pie-like. Always the same sinking feeling after biting into the food - an underwhelming carboard like sensation of muted flavours and dull texture. Maybe I was unlucky in my choices - felafels were good there for example...
Didn't realise that Honest Food wasn't a vegetarian restaurant. The owners seemed to be holding out for a vegetarian/vegan concern for a fair old while, so that's a little bit of a surprise.
i say lets support our local buisness' not try and pull 'em down b4 they have a chance.. get your self in there.. if you have critisism give it to them as constructive.. lets help them.. they are good people they go to church regularly,humanely trap rodents and change their underwear at least twice a week!!Hey, I'm with you on that one - I did my bit to support them but I can only give my honest opinion.
But I'll continue to support local independent businesses - I'm off to the Phoenix right now!
I quite liked Bruno's but then it closed before i had a chance to go back a second time.
It seems that anything in that spot is doomed but hey lets hope these guys get it together and it starts to pick up.
Frankly anything is better than the Lounge, i used to like it a lot in there and they do a good omelette but the last few times i went there they were so fucking rude and the 'not bothered' attitude pissed me off enough to not go back for a long time, plus they ignored my email of complaint i sent them after they managed to slide some duck meat into the potatoes on there veggie platter which i ate!!! 15 years of being veggie and then that, i was less than impressed i can tell you....
The Phoenix on the other had R O C K S and as Ianw always says "how do they get their toast soooo good!" :D
top_biller
27-04-2006, 13:20
The Phoenix on the other had R O C K S and as Ianw always says "how do they get their toast soooo good!" :D
I stumbled across this review of the Phoenix here (http://londonreviewofbreakfasts.blogspot.com/2006/03/phoenix-restaurant-brixton.html) the other day which made me smile, I reckon the reviewer's been reading this forum... :)
From the review: "the white toast would have a place on the 'breadstuffs' shelf in the Brixton Folk Legend Library, were such a library and such a shelf to exist. "
:D
William of Walworth
27-04-2006, 14:16
plus they ignored my email of complaint i sent them after they managed to slide some duck meat into the potatoes on there veggie platter which i ate!!! 15 years of being veggie and then that, i was less than impressed i can tell you....
That is so beyond bang out of order** as to be scarcely believable -- both the original, ahem, mistake, and the response.
Was it listed as a veggie platter?
**Mindyou, wouldn't be at all surprised if one or two of the veggie haters on the latest Veggie thread were to find such an incident hiilarious ... :rolleyes:
Was it listed as a veggie platter?
Yep was listed as a veggie platter which we had enjoyed countless times before. This happened at the end of last year and i haven't been back.
The excuse the waitress (with attitude) gave me was that the chef was new ffs.
She offered to give me a free beer as some sort of compensation but then came back two minutes later and said she wasn't aloud to do that.
I had never eaten duck before that (was i wasn't veggie) and frankly can't see why anyone would want to it was rank!
So is this Phoenix recommended as the best place in Brixton then?
top_biller
27-04-2006, 16:05
So is this Phoenix recommended as the best place in Brixton then?
Yep, it's BYO though :)
Like Pedro keys and N'yam food were
Though they dont look like bad ass international drug barons they may be involved in some other kind of illict spice trading
If anyone whistles at you on CHL in the next few days, then asks under their breath "High grade Organic Saffron mate", you'll know I was right
The Phoenix on the other had R O C K S and as Ianw always says "how do they get their toast soooo good!" :D
And they do a particularly fine dry slice!
:)
I used to like the Lounge but the last time I went it was so expensive that I vowed never to return. I'm very happy with The Phoenix.
Mmm, toast.
I like them both :D (but it's true the lounge has got more expensive)
I like them both :D (but it's true the lounge has got more expensive)
I have nothing to add to this other than it's my 1000th post!
the pannini shop on brixton road mmm mmmm mmmmwah it's called san something... to my horror cannot remember the entire name. Beautiful panninis with as much chilli sauce as could be desired and beautiful (if not fair trade) lattes mmmmmwah vegi and meat and fish pannini options available.
service impecable panninis and cofffees delectable.
:D
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