SYDENHAM'S ROOM 102

[leenewham]

We always have a bit of a moan in these forums so I thought it would be nice to say what we love about Sydenham for a change and open a Positive, happy Room 102 to balance out the room 101. It could be something really trivial or big.

I'll limit my choices to 3 although there is much more that I could list…So apologies to those I haven't mentioned, if I had more than 3 to list I'm sure you'd be on there (Amo, Musti, Mina etc).

1. Trattoria Raffaele's Pizzas. We like Raph so perhaps we are biased. But right from the first time we went there we were amazed at how good they are. The new ones he has just put on the menu are especially good (Ricotta, olive and Sundried tomatoes is my new favourite) and the bases are thin and crispy. Great host, great food and the new house white and beers are fantastic. The new posters inside really lift the place too.

2. Community. I think there is a great community spirit here. From Anthony's amazing hard work in Home Park to Jonathan (and everyone else who is involved)'s fantastic work to make the Arts Festival happen and also put on some pretty incredible plays at the Dolphin. The 3 Muskateers last year was one of the most enjoyable nights I've had at the 'Theatre' ever, anywhere.

3. Watermelons and tomatoes from MFC3. The tomatoes especially. I don't know where they get them from but they make my whole kitchen smell of tomatoes. We dont' buy them from the supermarket any more. Their Kiwi's are amazing too. So much flavour. Ditto to their mis-shaped cucumbers. On top of that it's really good value.

So what would you put in Sydenham's room 102?

[Robin Orton]

1. St Christopher's Hospice
2. Sydenham International Music Festival
3. Kirkdale Bookshop

[Savvy]

The Arts Festival
PFC Foods - wonderfull choice of olive oils, breads and 10 big and juicy oranges for 99p.
Hall Drive (no cars, well kept gardens)
The Dolphin

[Tim Lund]

Just three? That makes it too invidious. Those behind all the other good things will feel offended. So I'm adding an extra rule - the best things not previously given by anyone else. So

• Kent House Leisure Gardens
• Sydenham Garden
• Billings

[leenewham]

It gives everyone a chance to add something rather than just adding a huge list Tim.

I'm looking up 'invidious' in my pocket Oxford Dictionary (that wont fit in any pocket).

Agree with the choices though Tim

[Robin Orton]

1. Old-fashioned, friendly inner-suburban shabbiness.
2. The interior of All Saints, Trewsbury Road.
3. The prospect of a fine new mosaic.

[Tim Lund]

The interior of All Saints, Trewsbury Road

Absolutely ... it's fairly amazing

[Sydenham]

1. Sydenham Wells Park
2. The views from the various hills in Sydenham
3. Neighbours

[Ruby]

1. Kirkdale bookshop
2. French bakery
3. The cake shop
4. Pet shop
5. Numerous parks
6. St. Bart's church
7. Health shop
8. Alhambra
9. Party shop
10. The pitta bread from the old 7-11(can't remember its name)
11. Master-cutters
12. transport links
13. Tree lined roads
14. Dulwich wood house and the woods
15. Some lovely properties
16. That's Amore
17. My neighbours
18. Sugar hill cafe/blue mountain/chefs delight
19. Crystal Palace restaurants
20. Fairly friendly

[JRobinson]

I can't believe no ones mentioned Ghurka's
the best Nepalese restaurant in Sydenham!

The fish and chip shop near The Dolphin is also very good imo.
and the exterior deco of Livesy Hall

[poppy]

Agree with most of above, but also
the DIY shop
Alexandra Rec and the shady playground beyond
Health Food shop
PFC
Proximity to Crystal Palace Park and
Brilliant train links

[sydeman]

Good idea, something positive....makes a change from the usual downers on this site. i would suggest:

1. growing number of small independent shops like the Kirkdale Bookshop, DIY Shop, Alhambra and bakery on Kirkdale (very good and reasonably priced as well), Penge supermarket
2. Good bus and train connections
3. General green and historical ambience of the smaller side roads once you get off the main roads.

[Annie]

The Arts Festival
PFC Foods - wonderfull choice of olive oils, breads and 10 big and juicy oranges for 99p.
Hall Drive (no cars, well kept gardens)
The Dolphin

Hall drive? no cars? no, they just all park where i live and take up the spaces that the residents of my road would love to use!!! Wish my road could offer a no car zone-

[MiniFox]

What a great thread... You've all nabbed all of mine except...
The East London Line

We moved here on the strength of the property prices (then) and the transport network
The transport options are excellent

[paultreacy]

The Overground
Suga Hill
The DIY shop

And CRYSTAL PALACE PARK!

[pupak]

Thought I would do great days out I have had in the area:

1. The Recycled House on Longton Grove.
(If you haven't been, it really is an amazing place)

2. Self build house at Shaws Cottages, off Perry Rise.
Saw this at the Architects Open House event some years ago. Friendly architect and his family let in a huge queue of people into their amazing house and spoke about how they got to build it.

3. Cinema Screening at Crystal Palace Park.
Sorry I know this is not quite Sydenham, but it was a really fantastic evening. The films were by students I think and they were screened on the white wall on that island thing. We sat on deck chairs and the natural slope was perfect for watching a film in a park compared to the open air screenings in flat parks. Really wish it would happen more often.