Here is a thread from the CP forum - this place sounds very nice indeed. Me and Mr have been invited this evening; I'm expecting it to be good - and to lift my spirits at the end of the working week.
http://www.virtualnorwood.com/forum/ind ... topic=6167
The Exhibition Rooms Crystal Palace
oooOEErrrr... it was very nice indeed, the decor is eclectic with unique 'pieces' as they say, collected from all over the place but not over the top, it doesn't look like an antique shop, its tastefully understated. The staff were very professional, and all very good looking (where do they get these models willing to serve?). The menu is just up my street - steak, duck, salmon and they do a burger for £9 (rivalling Joanna's £9.95). Street level is the restaurant and downstairs there's a clubby style small bar leading onto a courtyard garden. Last night we were wined and dined for free for two and a half hours, they just kept coming round topping up the wine and handing out the most delicious snacks including beef tartare, ratatouille, tasty mini sausages, smoked salmon, and some gorgeous melt in the mouth quiche thing, but in the form of a mini pork pie. It was like we'd gatecrashed a wedding except everyone was dressed in jeans or shorts and t shirts. I reckon it'll be a great place to take visitors for a relaxing lunch or informal dinner. I can't wait to go back! We kept thinking.... OOOOh what if something like this came to the Greyhound, it would be fab. Its a crying shame, there is so much potential there and seeing what they've done with the space up in CP its galling that we can't have something new and invigorating too. Grrrrrrr...
Food Glorious Food
From Savvy's wicked review recommending the Exhibition Rooms in CP, me and mine have decided to take a peek there. My salivary juices were aflow on reading the review! Will let you know how we get on and if we agree. Come on Savvy - at least we have our very own Dolphin which serves very good gastro pub grub (a killer steak I must say). With its own gorgeous looking clientele (yes I've stopped looking in the mirror thank you). 
I know, Gawd bless the Dolphin... we've just had a very very nice sunday lunch there. When we popped down on Thursday it was closed for a private function. Big dissapointment. And as I was desperate for the loo I nipped in the back of the Golden Lion and used theirs - didn't stay for a drink - it was so dark and lonely in there Time was when the Golden Lion was our local, things have certainly changed for the better round here.
Anyone going to Midsummer Nights Dream? We hope to buy tickets tomorrow.
Anyone going to Midsummer Nights Dream? We hope to buy tickets tomorrow.
Re: The Exhibition Rooms Crystal Palace
What's the vegetarian like?Savvy wrote:Here is a thread from the CP forum - this place sounds very nice indeed. Me and Mr have been invited this evening; I'm expecting it to be good - and to lift my spirits at the end of the working week.
http://www.virtualnorwood.com/forum/ind ... topic=6167
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blue&whitewizard1991
- Posts: 46
- Joined: 23 Jul 2008 18:32
- Location: Lawrie Park Road
visited for the first time yesterday, just for a quick drink but not food. I must say I think they've done an excellent job in maximising the space they have and the whole place has a very relaxed, comfortable and welcoming feel.
I always have mixed emotions when I see developments like this in Crystal Palace. It is nice to know that Crystal Palace appears to be going from strength to strength and afterall it is only 20mins walk from Sydenham so hardly inaccessible. But at the same time it's frustrating to see how developments in Sydenham proceed at a much slower pace. I've lived here since October last year and two things have changed for the better in Sydenham since, blue mountain and sugar hill. However, the greyhound, HSBC building remain unnoccupied and the retail mix hasn't even hinted that it might change. A stark contrast to our friends up the road in CP.
I always have mixed emotions when I see developments like this in Crystal Palace. It is nice to know that Crystal Palace appears to be going from strength to strength and afterall it is only 20mins walk from Sydenham so hardly inaccessible. But at the same time it's frustrating to see how developments in Sydenham proceed at a much slower pace. I've lived here since October last year and two things have changed for the better in Sydenham since, blue mountain and sugar hill. However, the greyhound, HSBC building remain unnoccupied and the retail mix hasn't even hinted that it might change. A stark contrast to our friends up the road in CP.
Exhibition blues
On Savvy's recommendation we went down to check out the Exhibition Rooms in Crystal palace and found the decor of this restaurant very impressive, sheer elegance and light and gorg chandeliers. That was ALL that was impressive - unfortunately the quality of the chic interior couldn't be more different to the very SHABBY and non-existant service by the staff, who didn't know whether they were coming or going - and it wasn't even remotely busy.
We were eventually greeted at the door by a small team of people who looked like they had just stepped out of a home decorating course - waiters/waitresses in casual jeans and unironed smelly-looking shirts, different colours all of them. We were begrudgingly urged towards a table and sat there waiting for 10 minutes before we were fortunate enough to catch the eye of a passing waiter so that we could order a drink! It was the most shabby service I have expereinced for a long time.
The Exhibition Rooms have a lot to live up to given that it is trying to provide competition to "Joannas" opposite. However, based on our miserable very disappointing first expereince at the E Rooms, Joannas has not yet found its rival as its (Joannas) service continues to be seamless and professional - e.g. customers don't have to beg waiting staff to be served or even given a menu.
Verdict on Exhibition Rooms - steer well clear.
We were eventually greeted at the door by a small team of people who looked like they had just stepped out of a home decorating course - waiters/waitresses in casual jeans and unironed smelly-looking shirts, different colours all of them. We were begrudgingly urged towards a table and sat there waiting for 10 minutes before we were fortunate enough to catch the eye of a passing waiter so that we could order a drink! It was the most shabby service I have expereinced for a long time.
The Exhibition Rooms have a lot to live up to given that it is trying to provide competition to "Joannas" opposite. However, based on our miserable very disappointing first expereince at the E Rooms, Joannas has not yet found its rival as its (Joannas) service continues to be seamless and professional - e.g. customers don't have to beg waiting staff to be served or even given a menu.
Verdict on Exhibition Rooms - steer well clear.