Calabash...a new shop on high street

[art4]

Drove past last night and looked very busy.

I look forward to visiting has anyone here taken a look yet?

[Eagle]

Yes looks good , a positive addition to the High Street.

Going in Tuesday.

Good Luck to Them

[mosy]

I walked past when they were just setting up and found it hard to see (too cluttered window display) to see what they were selling (being me, I mentioned that as they seemed to be taking photos of the frontage). Anyway, a calabash is apparently an art form made from the gourds (fruits) of a vine, see: http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=calaba ... i=_&imgrc=_ so I guess they sell similar. The shutters have been down when I've pased so haven't had a chance to browse yet. Not sure of their opening hours?

[Hannah]

I ventured in last week as a black board displayed outside mentioned 'Soothies' and salads. My feral 3.5yr old was with me and the shop owner nicely led him over to the kiddie corner. My son was then mesmerised by the selection of toys, books etc and sat down at the old school desks to play with this amazing haul!

This left me free to explore the food offering at the back of the shop. The salad bar looked amazing - fresh, healthy and exciting with bean/lentil type dishes, broccoli, melon, etc etc - i.e. not a pizza hut/subway/harvester type offering. I ordered a large box with some kind of bean or lentil hash for £6 - but it was enough for 2 women. Everything is veggie and she gets her fruit/veg from the green grocer 'Fresh n Fruity' a few doors down. If you like Domali in Crystal Palace or the salads in Canvas & Cream then you'll love this. You can pick which salad items you want or have them all. I ordered a very filling 'soothie' too....having seen the blackboard I had assumed 'soothie' was a spelling mistake! But no, a 'soothie' is a smoothie geared towards healing ailments. I chose 'migraine' and it had avocado, spinach, strawberries and flaxseed in it. My baby girl tried some too and liked it - not too sweet so perfect IMO but creamy texture due to avocado. I sent husband back another afternoon to pick up another soothie for me, this time it was banana, orange and honey - very sweet.

I went back today with my mum and sister as the food is so good and we ate in this time at a low table & leather couch. They also have a bar with high stools if you were alone and wanted to be less exposed.

Really nice staff! I asked them more about the shop and the guy makes furniture. It is family run and they also have holistic therapy rooms downstairs (not sure if those are open yet or not). They sell cultural items from all over incl books, jewellery, games, musical interments etc They are hoping to start more community type events there and have a gallery downstairs too - so exciting for the area.

It is well worth a visit and the food would make a nice change to getting a meal deal from Tesco's, have much more vitamins in it and a small salad is only £3.50 and really filling. Support your local high street and give it a go

[Hannah]

https://www.facebook.com/CalabashOfCulture just seen they have a facebook page too so you can see images on there from their store opening.

[Hannah]

I walked past when they were just setting up and found it hard to see (too cluttered window display) to see what they were selling (being me, I mentioned that as they seemed to be taking photos of the frontage). Anyway, a calabash is apparently an art form made from the gourds (fruits) of a vine, see: http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=calaba ... i=_&imgrc=_ so I guess they sell similar. The shutters have been down when I've pased so haven't had a chance to browse yet. Not sure of their opening hours?

I do believe I saw instruments made from gourds
From the Facebook page it says 10am-7pm Mon - Sun, they were definitely open Mon evening after 5:30pm.

[SepticSkeptic]

The shop looks like a great addition to the Highstreet.
The 'soothies' sound tasty with the addition of some Glastonbury healing fields whimsy.
But reflexology in the basement? Why does real fresh food have to lead to deluded nonsense.

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[G-Man]

I didn't even know it was a cafe. Really looking forward to popping in there. I certainly like the look of it. Looks inviting and different.

I also think the idea of therapy rooms is a great addition. A great new addition for sure.

G-Man

[stuart]

II also think the idea of therapy rooms is a great addition. A great new addition for sure.

Therapy means curing or healing. Not apparently what will happen here. Reflexology is ALTERNATIVE ie unproven medicine. Is it a scam? Check this out:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cur ... ic-therapy

Maybe we should discuss this down the pub?

Stuart

[mosy]

Popped in today and bought veggie lunch to take away. I'm told their opening hours on the door aren't set in stone yet so might some days open a bit later and will probably close a bit later as still have some settling in to do.

On reflexology (even if considered as nothing more scientific than a foot massage), I'd be happy to meet folks in the Pub and argue the toss. Pills/injections might ease pain (but they don't actually cure e.g. arthritis or Type 1 diabetes) and don't really help ease of movement either I'm told. Calabash also offer a pedicure service, something else even by need that the NHS doesn't and hasn't for several years now following cutbacks. Plus Calabash is local so is easy to get to. I've shown most of my cards, but fundamentally I'd say don't knock it as one day you might be glad of it, as might I. See you in the Pub

[stuart]

See you in the Pub

Got a crate of Lidl's finest Hobgoblin at the ready so pull up a stool
http://sydenham.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=10113

Stuart

[Steveofsyd]

Interesting ...did not have a clue about the foodstuffs.

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[Calabash]

Hi, this is Calabash,

Thank you so much Hannah for your wonderful review, and hope to see you again soon.

NOT JUST A CAFE! The calabash was one of the first cultivated plants in the world, grown not primarily for food,They come in a variety of shapes, they can be huge and rounded, or small and bottle shaped, or slim and serpentine, more than a metre long. When harvested matured, dried, it is used as a water vessel , utensil or a bottle. For this reason, the calabash is widely known as the bottle gourd but for use as a water container. The bottle gourd may have been carried from Africa to Asia, Europe and the Americas in the course of human migration or by seeds floating across the oceans inside the gourd. It has been proven to be in New World prior to the arrival of Columbus. The Calabash Of Culture is a vessel for all things cultural...

The Calabash Of Culture is a gift shop specializing in global arts and sculpture, multicultural literature, jewellery and homeware, limited, unique and procured of nature.

[urlhttp://calabash-culture.com/][/url]

Come eat with nature @ Honey Hive (vegetarian cafe) also at the back of our ground floor - serving gourmet salads such as our Red Root salad -with apple & grated carrot or a Raw Stir Fry..with shredded cabbage and soy sauce marinated mushrooms - , natural juices, ailment specific soothies and a variety of well being herbal teas. Come and try for example the Digestion aid- containing spinach with enzymes which help to break down the food in your stomach, potassium from the bananas helps to move nutrients through your digestive system & almond milk which increases levels of beneficial stomach bacteria. We have the Migraine Miracle, the Honey Health shake and the Flexible Refresher, our menu 'will' be subject to variation. - come in and try our delicious Sunshine bakes and a cup of tea, they come in sweet -strawberry and kiwi or savoury - , sweet potatoes and pumpkin, callalloo sunshine bake. - you do not have to be a vegetarian to eat our food, so come along and take advantage of our comfortable seating and free wi-fi and give it a try.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1189949 ... ?ref=br_tf

We also have a Holistic Sanctuary where we are offering alternative therapies such as Hot Stone Massage, Aromatherapy, Reiki and yes Reflexology! We are offering a 20% discount through October so join our facebook page and come and try one of our soothing therapies.

https://www.facebook.com/HolisticSanctuary

We will shortly be opening an Art Gallery (The Basement Gallery) and a Fashion Boutique featuring cultural fashion in contemporary styles.

Our ethos is based on the nature of things - all our fittings apart from the obvious pieces are reclaimed /recycled, we live in such a wasteful society, that we were able to practically fit our whole shop with reused items apart from our beautiful shelving which me and my partner actually made ourselves.
Here at Calabash we want you to come - feed your body your mind and maybe come away with a unique gift procured of nature, whether its one of our natural body/hair products, a coral necklace, bone earrings, or a talking drum, we hope you can find that perfect gift for that special person or if you just want to buy yourself a special treat.

If you mention the Sydenham Forum, when making a purchase of more than £20 we will give you 10% off your purchase. Not including food from the cafe, sorry. Limited time only. 5.10.13 - 31.10.13

[Calabash]

Hello all! This call for artists!!!
Calabash is opening "The basement Gallery" in it premises at Sydenham High Street. As part of the Black History Month we are calling for artist to participate in our first collective show. We invite all artists to submit some pictures of their works, which are related to black history or famous black people.
All works has to be 2D and not bigger than 50x50cm. Our curator at Calabash will select some of the works for the show that will run for a month.
The last day of this exhibition one of the artist will selected to have a solo show at The basement Gallery.
Please send us a message with your artwork pic with a short Bio and some details about the piece you would like to submit.
Calabash is committed to promote and sell your work.

Thanks and we can´t wait to see that Art!

[Manwithaview1]

Hi, this is Calabash,

Thank you so much Hannah for your wonderful review, and hope to see you again soon.

NOT JUST A CAFE! The calabash was one of the first cultivated plants in the world, grown not primarily for food,They come in a variety of shapes, they can be huge and rounded, or small and bottle shaped, or slim and serpentine, more than a metre long. When harvested matured, dried, it is used as a water vessel , utensil or a bottle. For this reason, the calabash is widely known as the bottle gourd but for use as a water container. The bottle gourd may have been carried from Africa to Asia, Europe and the Americas in the course of human migration or by seeds floating across the oceans inside the gourd. It has been proven to be in New World prior to the arrival of Columbus. The Calabash Of Culture is a vessel for all things cultural...

The Calabash Of Culture is a gift shop specializing in global arts and sculpture, multicultural literature, jewellery and homeware, limited, unique and procured of nature.

[urlhttp://calabash-culture.com/][/url]

Come eat with nature @ Honey Hive (vegetarian cafe) also at the back of our ground floor - serving gourmet salads such as our Red Root salad -with apple & grated carrot or a Raw Stir Fry..with shredded cabbage and soy sauce marinated mushrooms - , natural juices, ailment specific soothies and a variety of well being herbal teas. Come and try for example the Digestion aid- containing spinach with enzymes which help to break down the food in your stomach, potassium from the bananas helps to move nutrients through your digestive system & almond milk which increases levels of beneficial stomach bacteria. We have the Migraine Miracle, the Honey Health shake and the Flexible Refresher, our menu 'will' be subject to variation. - come in and try our delicious Sunshine bakes and a cup of tea, they come in sweet -strawberry and kiwi or savoury - , sweet potatoes and pumpkin, callalloo sunshine bake. - you do not have to be a vegetarian to eat our food, so come along and take advantage of our comfortable seating and free wi-fi and give it a try.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1189949 ... ?ref=br_tf

We also have a Holistic Sanctuary where we are offering alternative therapies such as Hot Stone Massage, Aromatherapy, Reiki and yes Reflexology! We are offering a 20% discount through October so join our facebook page and come and try one of our soothing therapies.

https://www.facebook.com/HolisticSanctuary

We will shortly be opening an Art Gallery (The Basement Gallery) and a Fashion Boutique featuring cultural fashion in contemporary styles.

Our ethos is based on the nature of things - all our fittings apart from the obvious pieces are reclaimed /recycled, we live in such a wasteful society, that we were able to practically fit our whole shop with reused items apart from our beautiful shelving which me and my partner actually made ourselves.
Here at Calabash we want you to come - feed your body your mind and maybe come away with a unique gift procured of nature, whether its one of our natural body/hair products, a coral necklace, bone earrings, or a talking drum, we hope you can find that perfect gift for that special person or if you just want to buy yourself a special treat.

If you mention the Sydenham Forum, when making a purchase of more than £20 we will give you 10% off your purchase. Not including food from the cafe, sorry. Limited time only. 5.10.13 - 31.10.13

Do you have a facebook and twitter account?

[Calabash]

Hello Manwithaview1,

We do have a facebook page... oops I thought I had added it!!

https://www.facebook.com/CalabashOfCulture

We do have a Twitter account, unfortunately as we haven't had the time to update it since opening, I haven't been promoting it.. but will surely be on to it as soon as possible.