Blue Mountain Cafe coming to Cobbs Corner!!!
Why so much interest in a new cafe!? I see cafes everywhere as being unspecialised businesses that prepare simple foods like sandwiches, egg, bacon, sausage, beans etc. What's so special about Blue Mountain? I see Sean wasn't happy. Is this place meant to be a more upper class place, like what Costa Coffee is to coffee shops, hence the prices?
You're not meant to take business costs into consideration when deciding if a product is value for money. I'm not going to pay more for a shirt in central london because I found out the shop rent is more expensive = bad brain.i think 1.50 is a bit steep for tea (not coffee) but then again i have no idea of buisness costs
I've been back for my fourth visit since Blue Mountain opened and things are continuing to settle down. My cafe latte arrived in a different (and more appropriately shaped) mug yesterday than it did on opening day, and everyone around me was tucking into some very attractive lunch plates.
One of the things I particularly appreciate about having them here is it gives an opportunity to buy some decent bread locally. I bought a very good sour rye the other night, and a "Kentish flute" yesterday that tasted like it was based on a white flour levain. This will also save me having to run all the way up to Borough to buy bread from Flour Station.
Now if they'd just stock freshly roasted coffee beans, I'd be able to avoid the run up to Monmouth Coffee for my home supplies, too. (I still buy espresso out, though - I'm not willing to invest in the gear I'd need to make the real deal at home.)
I can't see this place competing with Chef's Delight at all. They're chalk & cheese, frankly.
One of the things I particularly appreciate about having them here is it gives an opportunity to buy some decent bread locally. I bought a very good sour rye the other night, and a "Kentish flute" yesterday that tasted like it was based on a white flour levain. This will also save me having to run all the way up to Borough to buy bread from Flour Station.
Now if they'd just stock freshly roasted coffee beans, I'd be able to avoid the run up to Monmouth Coffee for my home supplies, too. (I still buy espresso out, though - I'm not willing to invest in the gear I'd need to make the real deal at home.)
I can't see this place competing with Chef's Delight at all. They're chalk & cheese, frankly.
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sydenhamboy
- Posts: 264
- Joined: 8 Oct 2006 10:33
- Location: sydenham
Was in there on saturday - it didn't feel like Sydenham. Really popular place. It is overpriced; a bit top heavy - Full Monty: over seven quid !!! I opted for a (delicious) sausage sandwich and a very well made coffee. Not sure if it needs the flower shop bit - because there's not much space in there. Really nice clientel too (you lot, I suppose!) first time I've had dialogue with strangers over a cappuccino in Sydenham.
Very pleased it's there ..
.. wonder what's next ..
Very pleased it's there ..
.. wonder what's next ..
Blue mountain
I don't know if it was just today (my first time in there) but they don't seem to have a very big selection of cakes/pasteries. Another couple to choose from would be good I think. It looks great and I am soooo pleased it is here though!
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christian952
- Posts: 12
- Joined: 21 Sep 2007 14:34
- Location: sydenham
We went to this new cafe last saturday and have to say was a bit disappointed.
1) The menu at first glance has a nice selection of food on it. However, seems to be very over priced. The full English is £7.50!!
I would expect to pay this in some posh restaurant or upmarket brasserie. Ok- it looks good, but even in the high end gastro pubs, a good brekkie will only set you back about a fiver.
2) Terrible service I'm afraid. Was served by a rather stern looking Polish girl with the inability to smile, say please or thank you or to understand simple requests.
3) We ordered 2 breakfasts. The breakfasts arrived before our tea and coffee. When I asked for the tea and coffee, the waitress barked "YES! It's coming!!" to me!
4) When my partner went inside to pay the bill, I'm not joking, it took about 10 minutes...the guy behind the counter was shuffling bills around and clearly did not have an idea what was going on...
COME ON GUYS>>>>SORT IT OUT!!! Looks like a nice place, good food, but please sort out the service or you will lose your customers.
1) The menu at first glance has a nice selection of food on it. However, seems to be very over priced. The full English is £7.50!!
I would expect to pay this in some posh restaurant or upmarket brasserie. Ok- it looks good, but even in the high end gastro pubs, a good brekkie will only set you back about a fiver.
2) Terrible service I'm afraid. Was served by a rather stern looking Polish girl with the inability to smile, say please or thank you or to understand simple requests.
3) We ordered 2 breakfasts. The breakfasts arrived before our tea and coffee. When I asked for the tea and coffee, the waitress barked "YES! It's coming!!" to me!
4) When my partner went inside to pay the bill, I'm not joking, it took about 10 minutes...the guy behind the counter was shuffling bills around and clearly did not have an idea what was going on...
COME ON GUYS>>>>SORT IT OUT!!! Looks like a nice place, good food, but please sort out the service or you will lose your customers.
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cockneyrebel
- Posts: 53
- Joined: 16 Nov 2007 15:01
- Location: Sydenham
Went to The Blue Mountain cafe today and have to say it was absolutely awful.
1) The prices were ridiculous. £1.50 for tea is bad enough, but £7+ for a full breakfast?! And my mate got a few bits of bread, some humous and about 20 olives for £4.95.
2) It was far too cramped. It felt like Oliver Twist sitting on the rows of tables with no space between them. It's been badly designed and needs more space. They would have been better off getting rid of some of the stuff around the edges to create more space.
3) The service was grumpy.
I know what people have said about this and Chef's Delight being chalk and cheese but you're paying double the price, for less food and for a much less friendly service.
Also the place just oozed pretentiousness and is obviously going for the same kind of clientele as The Dolphin. But even given that's it's meant to be like that it is poor.
Won't be going back.
1) The prices were ridiculous. £1.50 for tea is bad enough, but £7+ for a full breakfast?! And my mate got a few bits of bread, some humous and about 20 olives for £4.95.
2) It was far too cramped. It felt like Oliver Twist sitting on the rows of tables with no space between them. It's been badly designed and needs more space. They would have been better off getting rid of some of the stuff around the edges to create more space.
3) The service was grumpy.
I know what people have said about this and Chef's Delight being chalk and cheese but you're paying double the price, for less food and for a much less friendly service.
Also the place just oozed pretentiousness and is obviously going for the same kind of clientele as The Dolphin. But even given that's it's meant to be like that it is poor.
Won't be going back.
What does Gordon always say? Keep it simple!
Went into the Blue Mountain Cafe the other day, and it looked as if Laurence Llewelyn Bowen had been in with his Changing Rooms lot. Naff and pretentious decor. It's trying a bit hard. The kind of thing my aunt Agatha would do if she were trying to be young, hip, urban and cool.
What I was hoping for with this new cafe was a calm, comfortable and relaxing place where I could drop in every so often for a good cup of coffee while I read the newspaper. Unfortunately, it was just too cramped, too noisy and there was too much going on for it to be relaxing. Ditch the flowers for one thing - that would allow cafe customers a bit more room.
I'm afraid the service was the worst thing however. Truly abysmal. I ordered a couple of cold drinks and two cakes. It took 20 minutes to arrive. Why someone behind the counter couldn't just shovel a couple of cakes on to plates and give them to me as I chose them, I don't know. If you can't do good service, then I think we'd all much prefer self service!
I'm afraid it is overpriced as well. These are central London prices, and posh central London at that. At these prices, I couldn't justify coming here for breakfast on a Sunday morning.
Sorry to be so negative. There are positive things to say too: the food and drinks were perfectly good quality when they did eventually arrive. Also, there's definitely a niche in Sydenham for a good quality cafe. I think having deli foods on offer to buy is also good (though I'm not sure it's the right selection at the moment, and the prices are too high).
I don't think therefore anyone should be too despondent about all the criticism the cafe's taking - it's really a matter of listening to what customers want, making some tough decisions, taking dramatic action and sorting it out.
What I was hoping for with this new cafe was a calm, comfortable and relaxing place where I could drop in every so often for a good cup of coffee while I read the newspaper. Unfortunately, it was just too cramped, too noisy and there was too much going on for it to be relaxing. Ditch the flowers for one thing - that would allow cafe customers a bit more room.
I'm afraid the service was the worst thing however. Truly abysmal. I ordered a couple of cold drinks and two cakes. It took 20 minutes to arrive. Why someone behind the counter couldn't just shovel a couple of cakes on to plates and give them to me as I chose them, I don't know. If you can't do good service, then I think we'd all much prefer self service!
I'm afraid it is overpriced as well. These are central London prices, and posh central London at that. At these prices, I couldn't justify coming here for breakfast on a Sunday morning.
Sorry to be so negative. There are positive things to say too: the food and drinks were perfectly good quality when they did eventually arrive. Also, there's definitely a niche in Sydenham for a good quality cafe. I think having deli foods on offer to buy is also good (though I'm not sure it's the right selection at the moment, and the prices are too high).
I don't think therefore anyone should be too despondent about all the criticism the cafe's taking - it's really a matter of listening to what customers want, making some tough decisions, taking dramatic action and sorting it out.
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welsh girl
- Posts: 7
- Joined: 18 Sep 2006 13:25
- Location: London
I think if anyone has a major problem with the service/prices/food at Blue Mountain, as many of these posters seem to, then the only fair thing to do, given things are still likely to be settling down, is to complain to the owner before posting on the forum. Has anybody done this?
I think this business could be a real asset to the community --but it won't have a chance to succeed if potential customers are put off for good after reading the comments on this thread.
For the record, I've been in a few times and haven't experienced any problems at all.
I think this business could be a real asset to the community --but it won't have a chance to succeed if potential customers are put off for good after reading the comments on this thread.
For the record, I've been in a few times and haven't experienced any problems at all.
I went on Saturday and had good service, it was friendly and the hot chocolate was nice. It's really nice inside too and it really does look like an asset to the area. It makes you feel a bit special rather than the usual down at heel places we generally have abundance of in the high street.
On another note it was REALLY busy, so they must be doing something right. Everytime I went past it was full.
On another note it was REALLY busy, so they must be doing something right. Everytime I went past it was full.
Ogley - there seems little right about the BMC in your view.
What don't you like about? Well there's the food, the prices, the attitude of the staff, seating arrangements, the service and the layout. Oh and there's the fact its too cramped and hot. And then there's the decoration (stupid me - why didn't I realise it was post-LLewelyn Bowen!).
Funny isn't it that a place fails on so many accounts is packed from morning to night. I know it's Sydenham's only "comfy" cafe but if it was as bad as you make out no-one would want to set foot in the place.
Ogley - there is no obligation to actually go into a place you clearly don't like. It's clearly not for you. Please stay away and let the rest of us try to force our way in through the door. I'm getting cold sitting outside waiting for a seat!
Thank you Mel for opening this wonderful new business. I know you thought that Sydenham was a completely no-hope area when you first looked at the high street. And I know that the support of your many customers has bowled you over since you opened. You're doing a great job - keep it up.
What don't you like about? Well there's the food, the prices, the attitude of the staff, seating arrangements, the service and the layout. Oh and there's the fact its too cramped and hot. And then there's the decoration (stupid me - why didn't I realise it was post-LLewelyn Bowen!).
Funny isn't it that a place fails on so many accounts is packed from morning to night. I know it's Sydenham's only "comfy" cafe but if it was as bad as you make out no-one would want to set foot in the place.
Ogley - there is no obligation to actually go into a place you clearly don't like. It's clearly not for you. Please stay away and let the rest of us try to force our way in through the door. I'm getting cold sitting outside waiting for a seat!
Thank you Mel for opening this wonderful new business. I know you thought that Sydenham was a completely no-hope area when you first looked at the high street. And I know that the support of your many customers has bowled you over since you opened. You're doing a great job - keep it up.
Here here Nasaroc.
I really like the atmosphere in the BMC. Whatsmore I think they've done a grand job with the decor... with or without Lawrence LB. Considering there will never be glorious sunlight streaming through because of their north facing orientation, they've managed to introduce brightness through colour.
Whenever I've been in I've been served straight away and I've always been happy with the goods... those chocolate muffins will be the death of me! It is a bit more expensive, but as people have said before me, it seems acceptable to the phenomenal amount of people who seem to flock in every day. There really is a market round here for this type of place.
My ONLY criticism is the flow. It's hard squeezing in to buy things at the counter when the place is rammed. The flowers are beautiful but if the other door were operating it might be easier to get in and out... or create more space for sitters in by having another row of tables down that wall...
I'm not unhappy though. I LOVE IT.
I really like the atmosphere in the BMC. Whatsmore I think they've done a grand job with the decor... with or without Lawrence LB. Considering there will never be glorious sunlight streaming through because of their north facing orientation, they've managed to introduce brightness through colour.
Whenever I've been in I've been served straight away and I've always been happy with the goods... those chocolate muffins will be the death of me! It is a bit more expensive, but as people have said before me, it seems acceptable to the phenomenal amount of people who seem to flock in every day. There really is a market round here for this type of place.
My ONLY criticism is the flow. It's hard squeezing in to buy things at the counter when the place is rammed. The flowers are beautiful but if the other door were operating it might be easier to get in and out... or create more space for sitters in by having another row of tables down that wall...
I'm not unhappy though. I LOVE IT.
First of all, congratulations to the owners for taking the risk in opening up (both here and in Gipsy Hill) and best wishes for the future.
Clearly, the Blue Mountain is not to everyone's taste, or budget. But it is a commercial entity not a public service, and is under no obligation to please everyone, even if that were possible. And anyway, it doesn't have the seating capacity to do so!
There are plenty of other places to go for a coffee and a bite to eat on the high street, and if you're really keen you could even buy some bacon, eggs and tomatoes and cook breakfast yourself in the comfort of your own kitchen!
Some people have commented that it is a little bit expensive (£1.50 for a cup of tea and all that). But if anything, it is too cheap - the frequent queues would suggest to me that raising prices might bring demand into balance with supply.
Hopefully its success will encourage a few more entrepreneurs to open up. Given the length of the high street this shouldn't cause anyone any problems - there seems to be plenty of room for a wide variety of tastes and budgets to be served. After all even Lordship Lane (like it or loathe it) has a few greasy spoon cafes.
Clearly, the Blue Mountain is not to everyone's taste, or budget. But it is a commercial entity not a public service, and is under no obligation to please everyone, even if that were possible. And anyway, it doesn't have the seating capacity to do so!
There are plenty of other places to go for a coffee and a bite to eat on the high street, and if you're really keen you could even buy some bacon, eggs and tomatoes and cook breakfast yourself in the comfort of your own kitchen!
Some people have commented that it is a little bit expensive (£1.50 for a cup of tea and all that). But if anything, it is too cheap - the frequent queues would suggest to me that raising prices might bring demand into balance with supply.
Hopefully its success will encourage a few more entrepreneurs to open up. Given the length of the high street this shouldn't cause anyone any problems - there seems to be plenty of room for a wide variety of tastes and budgets to be served. After all even Lordship Lane (like it or loathe it) has a few greasy spoon cafes.
I agree, it's a greta place and if you don't like it there are plenty of other places to go.
The coffee is much higher quality than a 70p mug of nescafe in frothy milk (much as I like that too). Hopefully the coffee is fair trade, something they don't seem to publicise...
Variety is good. I don't think they have teken trade away from the other cafe's, it's different market.
The coffee is much higher quality than a 70p mug of nescafe in frothy milk (much as I like that too). Hopefully the coffee is fair trade, something they don't seem to publicise...
Variety is good. I don't think they have teken trade away from the other cafe's, it's different market.
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cockneyrebel
- Posts: 53
- Joined: 16 Nov 2007 15:01
- Location: Sydenham
I don't see why people are being so defensive. If you like the place, then great. But my experience wasn't a good one, and neither has it been a good experience for other people who I know (for much the same reasons that I put above).
I agree that the place is busy, but I think that's more down to the fact that there is nowhere else like it on the high street.
It is catering for middle class customers (anyone without much money couldn't afford to go in there), just like the Dolphin is. It's funny because before the Dolphin and BMC opened up you just didn't see the same kinda people in other places on the high street. I guess that middle class people in Sydenham now see the Dolphin and BMC as some kind of oasis.
Personally I find both places very pretentious and they remind me of the kind of places you get in Clapham.
I agree that the place is busy, but I think that's more down to the fact that there is nowhere else like it on the high street.
It is catering for middle class customers (anyone without much money couldn't afford to go in there), just like the Dolphin is. It's funny because before the Dolphin and BMC opened up you just didn't see the same kinda people in other places on the high street. I guess that middle class people in Sydenham now see the Dolphin and BMC as some kind of oasis.
Personally I find both places very pretentious and they remind me of the kind of places you get in Clapham.
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Paddy Pantsdown
- Posts: 204
- Joined: 1 Oct 2004 10:04
- Location: Venner Road
Hi CockneyRebel! Do you think it unfair if I say you appear to be seeing Sydenham exclusively through class powered spectacles? That they might just be distorting reality to fit a model of a class ridden society that even I can only just remember?
I enjoy the Dolphin. I was once accused of enjoying The Greyhound. Which class does that make me? On being able to afford to drink .. in The Dolphin with its inflated charges I drink less, talk more and read the papers. Total expenditure is probably less, pleasure more. When I walk home and need some new batteries .. do I go into Somerfields or save few bob in the pound shop? Clue: my income is probably less than yours.
You see life is not that simple. People do like different things. If you are going to take a class view on decor .. tell me which show is more likely to show a home decorated in Blue Mountain style .. Property Ladder or Grand Designs? So does that make Kev working class?
You don't like BM/Dolphin. Fair enough. What is not always fair is the attitudes, desires and net worth you attribute to those that do. You appear to dislike people you don't know. I find that quite chilling.
Please tell me I am wrong.
PP
I enjoy the Dolphin. I was once accused of enjoying The Greyhound. Which class does that make me? On being able to afford to drink .. in The Dolphin with its inflated charges I drink less, talk more and read the papers. Total expenditure is probably less, pleasure more. When I walk home and need some new batteries .. do I go into Somerfields or save few bob in the pound shop? Clue: my income is probably less than yours.
You see life is not that simple. People do like different things. If you are going to take a class view on decor .. tell me which show is more likely to show a home decorated in Blue Mountain style .. Property Ladder or Grand Designs? So does that make Kev working class?
You don't like BM/Dolphin. Fair enough. What is not always fair is the attitudes, desires and net worth you attribute to those that do. You appear to dislike people you don't know. I find that quite chilling.
Please tell me I am wrong.
PP