Latest reviews for Food & Drink in Clapham South, London, United Kingdom

Northcote Fisheries - Nothing fishy here by chrisp

chrisp — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:09:36 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7978 4428

Sadly, due to punative rises in rent imposed by Northcote Road landlords, Northcote Fisheries are now operating from a van parked down a side road off Northcote Road itself. Fortunately they still offer the same good selection of fish and crustaceans and although it seemed initially like they were in danger of being overshadowed by the Fishworks newly opened a few doors down, the poor fishmongery and heavy markups of the corporate joint soon saw their regular flock returning.

Sure, it's not the greatest fishmongers in the world, but it's privately owned, friendly, reasonably priced and characterful. So before Wandsworth council finally admit that their plans for the redevelopment of SW11 involve the flattening of the whole of Northcote Road to make way for a single giant branch of Fat Face, it will continue to get my custom.Sadly, due to punative rises in rent imposed by Northcote Road landlords, Northcote Fisheries are now operating from a van parked down a side road off Northcote Road itself. Fortunately they still offer the same good selection of fish and crustaceans and although it seemed initially like they were in danger of being overshadowed by the Fishworks newly opened a few doors down, the poor fishmongery and heavy markups of the corporate joint soon saw their regular flock returning.

Sure, it's not the greatest fishmongers in the world, but it's privately owned, friendly, reasonably priced and characterful. So before Wandsworth council finally admit that their plans for the redevelopment of SW11 involve the flattening of the whole of Northcote Road to make way for a single giant branch of Fat Face, it will continue to get my custom.

Hennessy's - My favourite butcher by chrisp

chrisp — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:52:54 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7228 0894

Website: http://www.hennessybutchers.co.uk

Tags: rare finds, bargain

It may not have the pedigree of Dove's or Moen & Sons, but Hennessey's is an unassuming, straightforward butcher that will sell you decently sourced cuts of meat and poultry without huge markups.

I've never really been that disappointed with anything I've bought here - which is more than I can say about its rivals - and they are generally a cheery lot. It's also the only butchers I know that has a piano.It may not have the pedigree of Dove's or Moen & Sons, but Hennessey's is an unassuming, straightforward butcher that will sell you decently sourced cuts of meat and poultry without huge markups.

I've never really been that disappointed with anything I've bought here - which is more than I can say about its rivals - and they are generally a cheery lot. It's also the only butchers I know that has a piano.

A Dove & Son - Posh by chrisp

chrisp — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:47:17 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7223 5191

Website: http://www.doves.co.uk

Tags: delicatessen, organic produce, rare finds

Like many of these "traditional", posh old butchers in posh old parts of London, you really have to know what you're doing to safeguard against ludicrous markups and cynical pricing. The sausages are good enough value and are often very tasty. The bacon tastes nice but is stupidly expensive, but their cuts of lamb are worth trying. I've never thought much of their beef, which doesn't seem to be of a great pedigree, and they needed a lot of persuading to make a decent steak cut, rather than just slicing off a sliver of boring red meat last time I asked.

I usually go to Hennessey's over the road. They may not have a queue snaking out of the door every Saturday, but at least you don't feel like a mug when you ask for 6 slices of bacon and have to hand over a tenner.Like many of these "traditional", posh old butchers in posh old parts of London, you really have to know what you're doing to safeguard against ludicrous markups and cynical pricing. The sausages are good enough value and are often very tasty. The bacon tastes nice but is stupidly expensive, but their cuts of lamb are worth trying. I've never thought much of their beef, which doesn't seem to be of a great pedigree, and they needed a lot of persuading to make a decent steak cut, rather than just slicing off a sliver of boring red meat last time I asked.

I usually go to Hennessey's over the road. They may not have a queue snaking out of the door every Saturday, but at least you don't feel like a mug when you ask for 6 slices of bacon and have to hand over a tenner.

Trinity Stores - Uber Ploughman's by GKFH

GKFH — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:43:49 +0000

Review by GKFH

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8673 3773

Website: http://www.trinitystores.co.uk/

Tags: quick bite, coffee, breakfast

Sat down for a light lunch and ordered a Ploughman's. Expected usual. Got exceptional. The cheese was freshly cut Lincolnshire Poacher. Ham was freshly sliced and full of flavour. Came with a little salad. Perfect dressing. Home made chutney was right up my alley. Bread was fresh and crusty. Simple, quality ingredients worked really well to make this the best ploughman I have had since camping as a young man. Sat down for a light lunch and ordered a Ploughman's. Expected usual. Got exceptional. The cheese was freshly cut Lincolnshire Poacher. Ham was freshly sliced and full of flavour. Came with a little salad. Perfect dressing. Home made chutney was right up my alley. Bread was fresh and crusty. Simple, quality ingredients worked really well to make this the best ploughman I have had since camping as a young man.

Hamish Johnston - World of Cheese by chrisp

chrisp — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:58:25 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7738 0741

Tags: delicatessen, rare finds

My local cheese shop, and how glad I am it exists. Northcote Road has taken a distinct turn for the worse in recent years - the lovely guys of Northcote Fisheries have been turfed out of their old shop to make way for yet another bloody branch of Fat Face (designerware for idiots), and the Lighthouse Bakery has changed hands and no longer knows how to make a farmhouse loaf. But Hamish Johnstone remains, selling excellent cheeses from all over Europe, served by friendly staff who really know their stuff. It can be pricey - good cheese always is - and the accessories and dairy cabinet are probably best avoided (Â£25 for a cheese grater? Are you having a laugh?) but, well, they sell Stinking Bishop. And Mrs Kirkhams. 'Nuff said.My local cheese shop, and how glad I am it exists. Northcote Road has taken a distinct turn for the worse in recent years - the lovely guys of Northcote Fisheries have been turfed out of their old shop to make way for yet another bloody branch of Fat Face (designerware for idiots), and the Lighthouse Bakery has changed hands and no longer knows how to make a farmhouse loaf. But Hamish Johnstone remains, selling excellent cheeses from all over Europe, served by friendly staff who really know their stuff. It can be pricey - good cheese always is - and the accessories and dairy cabinet are probably best avoided (Â£25 for a cheese grater? Are you having a laugh?) but, well, they sell Stinking Bishop. And Mrs Kirkhams. 'Nuff said.

Chadwicks Butchers - Small but perfectly stocked by mario

mario — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:29:05 +0000

Review by mario

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8772 1895

Website: http://www.chadwicksbutchers.co.uk

Tags: delicatessen, delivery, butcher

You really do see me here every week..

It's a small (ok, tiny) shop right next to Balham tube, but manages to fit in more than you'd think. The obvious is the meat - organic/free range, and great home-made sausages and pies. But they also sell some delicatessen like cheeses and cured meat etc..

If this doesn't convince you to buy your meat here, then perhaps the fact that one of the guys working here played a butcher in Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd will! :-)You really do see me here every week..

It's a small (ok, tiny) shop right next to Balham tube, but manages to fit in more than you'd think. The obvious is the meat - organic/free range, and great home-made sausages and pies. But they also sell some delicatessen like cheeses and cured meat etc..

If this doesn't convince you to buy your meat here, then perhaps the fact that one of the guys working here played a butcher in Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd will! :-)