I just want to "big up" The Olive (Turkish food) on Penge High Street. Have been a few times recently and the food is always delicious and the prices very reasonable. I really miss the Lokal and also the meze place which was there before the Mexican. Everytime we go to The Olive though it isn't as busy as it should be which is a real shame. Anyone else tried it? We've only ever had positive experiences there and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Me. Yes it's good. It did really well when it first opened, less so recently, not sure if it's because of the recession, because people are hard up after holidays or just not impressed though.
I'm afraid I've never been to Penge High St. I've always looked towards FH, Catford and Lewisham for my shopping trips rather than head south (to Penge and Beckenham, which I've also heard good things about).
I agree the food has been very good on the occasions I have been, but it is a few months since last I went.
However it was unlicenced but you could bring your own bottle (no corkage) which means, of course, that eating out is very inexpensive. I dont think this has changed, but worth checking if you are thinking of going.
It is licenced now. Food prices are still really reasonable in my opinion. We often share the mixed meze starter for 2 people between 3 or 4 of us as it is so generous and then sometimes even share the mixed grill for example and just get some extra salad.
Like Gaz I havent' been out in Penge either as it' fees even more depressing than Sydenham High Street. While there are some gems locally (which we often use) I tend to go further afield to shop, which seems to the be norm for a lot of people around here.
Haven't tried it but will. Bridge House is just over the road but shuts kids out after 7 which is sad and so won't eat there. Olive is perhaps a little closer for us than Sydenham Road so we will go there now that it has been recommended.
Our regular is Pizza At The Palace in Crystal Palace. Italian beer is great with food and the pizzas there are consistently good. And the boys love it immensely. It also feels nice being up on a hill for some reason. Walking home through the park afterwards is great too as it's all down hill and easy.
Tratorria Rafelle is one of the best places in the world. Seriously. Last weekend their special was pasta stuffed with pears and marscapone cheese. I could barely eat it I was drooling so much. We took a friend there for dinner and he's been raving about it ever since! It's SO GOOD.
Thanks Sophie
Excuse my comments as an old codger. I appreciate that even Shakespeare introduced thousands of new words into our great language, so I am sure big up will be in common parlance soon.