Sugahill Cafe

[cockneyrebel]

Just wanted to put in a word for the Sugahill cafe.

I'm no fan of either the Dolphin or the Blue Mountain Cafe (over priced and pretentious) so though that the Sugahill Cafe might be more of the same and more of the middle class brigade who you never saw in Sydenham before the above were opened.

But thought the Sugahill Cafe was really good. Relaxed, good prices, great food and a lovely couple who own the place. Went in there with my flat mate and nephew and they really enjoyed it as well. Would really recommend it and will definately go back.

[Savvy]

I think they've always been here, there was just nowhere for them to go!

[user100]

Oh yes that's right they have always been here but up to now they didn't have the guts to show their faces.

The dirty, evil, cappuccino-drinking, 3-wheel-buggy-pushing, filthy evil b******s!

[sugahill cafe]

Everybody's welcome at our shop

[Savvy]

... but if it weren't for the middle classes how would anything ever improve? I don't think one can deny that things have improved vastly in Sydenham now that the MC's have come out of the closet and started demanding better leisure facilities. We all reap the benefit.

[MiniFox]

Aside from the obvious baiting, I have to say that I think what really works about Sugahill is that the place has a real genuineness about it and an appeal that doesnt polarise the community it belongs to in a way that some of our local establishments do. That aside, I near wept with joy when The Dolphin arrived. Not because I had an eye on property prices, because after seven years living here, there was someone I actually wanted to go and I doubt you'd call us middle class.

I went past Sugahill today and saw a healthy custom of mixed classes (I guess) and age groups. Personally, I don't want to live in a working class or middle class enclave - real, successful communities have room and amenities for everyone. I really hope they'll be on our high street for quite a while

[Savvy]

Agree totally MiniFox. I was talking tounge-in-cheek because it makes me laugh to see people airing their obvious insecurities about their supposed 'class' and the 'class' of others. We're not middle class either but we have no problems going to supposed 'middle class' hangouts. We've eaten in the Ivy and we've eaten in a greasy spoon on New Cross Road. We don't feel our selves superior or inferior to any of the people in either place. Its actually the people who air such narrow views and make judgements about others who are the snobs. I shall continue to enjoy the Dolphin - I can't wait for summer, the garden really is lovely; and eat my fry up treat in Semas as I've always done.

[Savvy]

... to (mis)quote the last line from the book Brick Lane...
"this is England, I can go where I bloody well like"

[leenewham]

Agree with the above posters. I don't know why people get defensive about Sydenham the way it is. There is room for everyone. But cheap cafe's and shops don't have to look awful...they can still like nice places to be. It's not difficult. It's not even expensive.

[MiniFox]

Totally agree with you both, Savvy and Lee

I think (in my opinion) Sugahill and BlueMountain prove that in spades
One had a supposed successful business and threw money at it and the other used their common sense and aesthetics. I know which I think is infinitely more successful than the other.

[cockneyrebel]

I knew I should of avoided the middle class comment (and as it goes the SugaHill cafe seems like it caters for everyone). And it's not that I've got a chip on my shoulder like some people have suggested, it's that gentrification doens't alway benefit working class communites and in many cases harms working class communities as working class interests play second fiddle to the middle classes.

Anway my main point was about how great and welcoming the place is and how I really enjoyed going there (as did the people I went with). Hopefully I'll be going there later today as I've got the day off work. If people wanna talk about the other stuff maybe start a new thread!

[user100]

If people wanna talk about the other stuff maybe start a new thread!

There would be no point.

Rule #1 of ST Forum:

"All threads must eventually include an irrelevant reference to class distinctions, and subsequently get completely bogged down in pointless arguing about same".

[poppy]

Went past Sugarhill today and they seem to have erected one of those dreaded shutters. It is bright red, so not sure if it something else. But if it is is this really necessary? Has there been a problem there or something?I have said on another thread that I think these shutters make the high street look like a no-go area at night and are an eye-saw even if they are red, and lose the shops advertising opportunities if they are completley covered up from 5.30 until 9 in the morning (although I know Sugahill is open outside these hours).

[cockneyrebel]

Just to say I took more of my family to the Sugahill cafe today and they all really enjoyed it and will be going back again!

Well done for getting something like this off the ground in Sydenham.

[MiniFox]

I actually think the grille looks quite nice in that colour! At least they tried!

[leenewham]

I'd prefer it without the grill, but I understand why they did it (the recess doorway attracts litter etc and it's better security).

On the plus side you can see through it, it's not one of those totally covered up grills.

Why other shops in the high street can't take a few minutes to clean their grills is beyond me. Most are filthy.