Brixton food & drink news: new restaurants, bars, pop ups, cafes and more

[gaijingirl]

Nanban is one of the few new restaurants gaijinboy and I have tried on a very rare night out. I enjoyed it, but for me the tastes were too strong with not enough more subtle tastes to compliment. So whilst the food tasted amazing, it became a bit overpowering by the end. Even with my noodles - I had the veggie noodles - there was too much going on in the one bowl. All the individual elements in the bowl had very strong tastes, from the stock to the added veggies, even the tofu was salt and pepper fried. Now I LOVE salt and pepper friend tofu but given all the other strong flavours in that bowl, plain tofu would have worked much better - imho. All the dishes I tried were similarly powerful tastes.

The reason we went there is obviously I have a special interest in Japanese food, so I was especially interested to try out Nanban. For me, personally, I wouldn't rush back as I felt it lacked balance - which is something I always associate with eating Japanese food and one of the reasons I enjoy it. I appreciate however, that this is Japanese "fusion" and so they are clearly experimenting with elements of Japanese food (and a lot of Caribbean elements). Also I did know this when I went - so it's not like I was mislead. I wouldn't refuse to return, but there are other places I would choose first - for my own personal tastes. I can see why people would really like it though.

 

[Ms T]

Brixton Hill.

ETA gaijingirl

 

[gaijingirl]

Brixton Hill.

ETA gaijingirl

eta - do you mean Reiabuzz

 

[Reiabuzz]

I think so. I can't find a link for it but I'll have a wander up the hill at some point to try to find it.

 

[Winot]

Nanban is one of the few new restaurants gaijinboy and I have tried on a very rare night out. I enjoyed it, but for me the tastes were too strong with not enough more subtle tastes to compliment. So whilst the food tasted amazing, it became a bit overpowering by the end. Even with my noodles - I had the veggie noodles - there was too much going on in the one bowl. All the individual elements in the bowl had very strong tastes, from the stock to the added veggies, even the tofu was salt and pepper fried. Now I LOVE salt and pepper friend tofu but given all the other strong flavours in that bowl, plain tofu would have worked much better - imho. All the dishes I tried were similarly powerful tastes.

The reason we went there is obviously I have a special interest in Japanese food, so I was especially interested to try out Nanban. For me, personally, I wouldn't rush back as I felt it lacked balance - which is something I always associate with eating Japanese food and one of the reasons I enjoy it. I appreciate however, that this is Japanese "fusion" and so they are clearly experimenting with elements of Japanese food (and a lot of Caribbean elements). Also I did know this when I went - so it's not like I was mislead. I wouldn't refuse to return, but there are other places I would choose first - for my own personal tastes. I can see why people would really like it though.

Yes this is spot on - it's decidedly not subtle - why is why I like it!

 

[cuppa tee]

I love the old traditional restaurant sign but what looked like extra edgy graffiti'd metal shutter strips inside looked well fucking naff. I only glimpsed it so maybe they weren't as utter cockwomble as they looked.

I didn't realise they Rosie's is now a chain of eight restaurants.

When I walked by the other day I thought that Rosie's gaff looked well out of place on that stretch, maybe the edgy shutters are a form of urbancamouflage

 

[editor]

When I walked by the other day I thought that Rosie's gaff looked well out of place on that stretch, maybe the edgy shutters are a form of urbancamouflage

Much as I like its traditional facade, the overall appearance couldn't scream out 'gentrification!' any louder.

 

[Mr Retro]

Sorry you didn't like the food. I've found it to be about double the cost of Fujiyama, but also much better (for my tastes).

Good to see in Brixton Bugle that they are donating money to the local Mosaic Clubhouse charity.

I love the food there but I agree it's priced on the steep side given the size of the portions.

Really cool about the charity too. I like that it isn't even mentioned on their website unless I'm mistaken. Low key, as charity work and donations should be. Would like to see more of that.

 

[Rushy]

Good to see in Brixton Bugle that they are donating money to the local Mosaic Clubhouse charity.

Supporting a local charity is a fine act - good on them. I just can't help coming over all cynical when you hear of the same donations being mentioned over and over in the press. That way, giving money away to charity can be money very well spent. They should bring in a law that if you donate cash you can mention it once and then each time you mention it you have to donate the same amount again!

 

[editor]

I love the food there but I agree it's priced on the steep side given the size of the portions.

Really cool about the charity too. I like that it isn't even mentioned on their website unless I'm mistaken. Low key, as charity work and donations should be. Would like to see more of that.

I'm all for people/businesses with very little letting people know that they're giving away all/large chunks of their profits, myself. Maybe it'll shame those with more than most can imagine into donating themselves (or giving away more than profile-boosting, press-attracting peanuts), especially if they keep claiming to be part of the community.

 

[Rushy]

Nanban seems to be one of the most polarising of restaurants. I know plenty of people who both rave about the food and also who say they will never go again.

The Marmite among eating establishments, perhaps.

 

[cuppa tee]

I love the food there but I agree it's priced on the steep side given the size of the portions.

Really cool about the charity too. I like that it isn't even mentioned on their website unless I'm mistaken. Low key, as charity work and donations should be. Would like to see more of that.

how could you though if it was kept low key

 

[organicpanda]

Nanban seems to be one of the most polarising of restaurants. I know plenty of people who both rave about the food and also who say they will never go again.

The Marmite among eating establishments, perhaps.

mmm a Marmite eating place I would definitely go to

 

[cuppa tee]

mmm a Marmite eating place I would definitely go to

I went to a greasy spoon in palmers green and was disappointed to discover the marm on toast they were advertising was marmalade rather than marmite

 

[djdando]

Much as I like its traditional facade, the overall appearance couldn't scream out 'gentrification!' any louder.

I don't disagree with you however when you step back and look at that parade of buildings and realise, much like Wahaca, that unless someone can spend a significant amount of cash they are going to coming crashing down. The brickwork is basically diagonal and the corrugated iron roofs have rust holes all over.

 

[editor]

I don't disagree with you however when you step back and look at that parade of buildings and realise, much like Wahaca, that unless someone can spend a significant amount of cash they are going to coming crashing down. The brickwork is basically diagonal and the corrugated iron roofs have rust holes all over.

They're in bad condition for sure, but I'd like to think there's some middle ground between near-collapsed and totally gentrified!

 

[organicpanda]

They're in bad condition for sure, but I'd like to think there's some middle ground between near-collapsed and totally gentrified!

near collapsed gentrification?

 

[Rushy]

mmm a Marmite eating place I would definitely go to

No no no. Vegemite all day long.

 

[editor]

near collapsed gentrification?

I'd like a main order of totally collapsed gentrification please, with a side dish of toff removal. Thank you.

 

[organicpanda]

I'd like a main order of totally collapsed gentrification please, with a side dish of toff removal. Thank you.

I'm afraid that's not on the menu today, could I interest sir in a starter of cap doffing followed by a main of know your place

 

[organicpanda]

No no no. Vegemite all day long.

you are one sick puppy

 

[Ms T]

eta - do you mean Reiabuzz

I was answering your question about Pizza Brixton but for some reason my reply didn't quote your post so I tagged you.

 

[gaijingirl]

I was answering your question about Pizza Brixton but for some reason my reply didn't quote your post so I tagged you.

I didn't ask about Pizza Brixton - that was Reiabuzz (hence my initial confusion)

 

[Ms T]

I didn't ask about Pizza Brixton - that was Reiabuzz (hence my initial confusion)

I was obviously having a senior moment!

 

[jimbarkanoodle]

If you are in need of a decent cheap lunch, 'Brixton's Cod' on Acre lane, opposite Lidl, does some very good value lunch time deals between 12-4pm. I got a pie and portion of chips for £2.50, and there are various other deals, i think a cod with chips and mushy peas is £3.99. Nice chips as well, above average id say. friendly service too.

 

[editor]

If you are in need of a decent cheap lunch, 'Brixton's Cod' on Acre lane, opposite Lidl, does some very good value lunch time deals between 12-4pm. I got a pie and portion of chips for £2.50, and there are various other deals, i think a cod with chips and mushy peas is £3.99. Nice chips as well, above average id say. friendly service too.

I don't Jay Rayner will be reviewing that too soon, but it sounds like one I might have to check out. Only trouble is that it's perilously close to Sam's Cafe and they do great deals there too!

 

[Winot]

Brixton Rock as was.

 

[editor]

Brixton Rock as was.

I wonder what happened to Brixton Rock? They weren't here at all long.

The new site is a bit basic: index

 

[jimbarkanoodle]

i thought i noticed a slight change of names from 'Rock' to 'Cod'. From what i understand it was opened as a sister shop to 'Brockley's Rock' which is a very highly rated chippy. Wonder if they are new owners or just changed the name to make it more obvious it was a fish and chip shop.

 

[happyshopper]

When I walked by the other day I thought that Rosie's gaff looked well out of place on that stretch, maybe the edgy shutters are a form of urbancamouflage

It's "Rosa's Thai Cafe", a chain of Thai food places - nothing to do with Rosie's. Went past this evening and it was packed out.