Paranhodu, Korean Restaurant, Lewisham Way, New Cross

Vegetarian dumplings

Just before Christmas I was alerted to the opening of a new Korean restaurant on Lewisham Way. The restaurant has been looking quite busy as I've cycled past on my way home from work this week and the online reviews are all really positive talking of authentic Korean food and generous portions.

We decided to brave the cold weather on Saturday night to go and check it out.

It's hard to say this about a small independent business who are obviously trying hard, but neither of us were that wowed by Paranhodu. It didn't have the big servings to make it an excellent value proposition, in fact I thought the amount of squid in our spicy stir fry was a little meagre. And although I'm not that familiar with Korean food (hopefully that will change later in the year when we visit) but the flavours didn't amaze us either.

However, it might just be us that are out of kilter with the restaurant. The small restaurant had more or less filled up by the time we left and a couple of people had popped into collect takeaway orders, so they are clearly doing something right.

Spicy stir fried squid and beef bulgogi

Paranhodu
125 Lewisham Way
London
SE14 6QJ
UK

Maddy's Fish Bar, New Cross

Ling and chips

Nine months after the part kickstarter funded chippy opened, I finally made it to Maddy's Fish Bar in New Cross on Saturday night. After a hard run session in Greenwich park that morning I was up for some guilt free indulgence and keen to sample as much of the menu as I could fit in.

I've heard good things about the chicken nuggets, but we both went for the classic fish and chips. Their suppliers catch dictates the menu and on Saturday night there was ling and whiting on the menu both came in a fresh dill and gluten free batter, served with chips and slaw (£9 each).

Whiting and chips

We both agreed that the whiting was the catch of the day having a thinner skin and a slightly firmer flesh. The homemade tartare sauce was great, although the chips could have been crispier.

Gherkin

I couldn't resist the large jar of gherkins (£1) sitting on the bar and had to order one. While Becks selected the minted mushy peas (£2.50). I'm not usually a fan of mushy peas, but really enjoyed this version with a mixture of crushed and whole peas with plenty of mint.

Minted mushy peas

Totally unnecessary, but we also ordered the pumpkin tempura (£3.50) from the specials board. Despite us not getting to the tempura until we had finished our fish, the batter had remained impressively crispy. Although professing to be stuffed, I nearly polished off the whole pate of tempura single handedly.

We had our eyes on the sourdough donuts, also on the specials board, but the food coma had descended and there is no way we could fit in anything else.

Pumpkin tempura

With the London Particular next door this corner of New Cross feels in safe hands with two young female entrepreneurs leading the revival. The drinks were a little on the expensive side at £3 for a half, but the rest of the food was great value and a cut above your regular fish and chips.

Maddy's Fish Bar

397 New Cross Road

London

SE14 6LA

Restaurant Review: ReyNa Turkish, New Cross

Sucuk

On Saturday night Becks and I headed to New Cross, highly indecisive about where we wanted to go, but knowing that we definitely wanted to try somewhere new. We walked past the newly opened Birdie Num Nums, but it appears they don't open for dinner. Next on our list was ReyNa, a Turkish restaurant that opened in New Cross over a year ago.

They weren't full, but had everyone sitting in one half of the restaurant which worked well to create some atmosphere. There weren't as many students as we expected considering we were so close to Goldsmiths Uni. Perhaps term hasn't started yet?

Saksuka

Feeling hungry we decided to order three starters to share as well as a couple of mains. The sucuk (£3.50) and saksuka (£3.20) arrived at our table first, along with a bowl of hummus that we hadn't ordered.

The sucuk, Turkish sausage, was spiced and had a nice flavour from the grill. The saksuka wasn't quite what we expected, my knowledge extending as far as seeing Ottolenghi make one on TV. It was a mix if grilled aubergine, peppers, onions and a mildly spiced tomato sauce. It reminded of a ratatouille, but was no less good for that.

Grilled halloumi

We had to prompt for our grilled halloumi (£3.25), we think they might have got hummus and halloumi confused. The halloumi was possibly my favourite starter, incredibly salty it hd a nice tang.

With our starters came a basket of Turkish bread. Perfectly good bread, but it didn't hit the heights of Meze Mangal's from just up the road.

Lamb Iskender

As a main course I ordered the lamb Iskender (£9.90). The smokey barbecued lamb was mixed in with bread and covered in a tomato sauce. There were two huge dollops of yoghurt on each end of the place and small plate of rice served on the side.

The lamb was the standout element of the dish by far. I wasn't sure about the small cubes of bread burried beneath the lamb. It just seemed like disappointing filler when you got one.

Lamb Ribs

Becks ordered the lamb ribs. I managed to sneak a rib (or was that two?) and they were nicely barbecued and invited to be eaten with your fingers.

Dinner at ReyNa was good value and the food was enjoyable too. It didn't hit the heights of my memories from Meza Mangal just up the road. The theatre in Meze Mangal (which could have been lost now they have expanded) wasn't there. Meze Mangal cooks over charcoal too which makes a difference.

ReyNa
379 New Cross Road
New Cross
SE14 6AT

Restaurant Review: London Particular, New Cross (Revisited)

 

London Particular Dip Plate

When I had dinner with my friend Victoria a couple of months ago we got onto the topic of local restaurants. We agreed that while Brockley has an improving local restaurant and café scene, the choices are solid rather than standout. With the odd exception, Brockley doesn't seem to be blessed with same café culture that I remember fondly from Sydney.

I boldly ventured that The London Particular was my favourite local restaurant. As Vics hadn't been we made a date, or rather a double date, for dinner last Saturday.

I wasn't feeling any pressure until we walked to the restaurant and then it suddenly occurred to me that I'd look a bit silly if she and Joe didn't like it. Thankfully The Particular didn't let me down. Their evening menu contains the same fresh, inventive, tasty and good value dishes that I've enjoyed at brunch before.

Between the four of us we managed to sample most of the menu. My favourites were the fresh and zingy pea and broadbean dip from the dip plate. I didn't expect to enjoy the warm Hispe cabbage with lemon and chilli as much as I did.

The nettles with wild garlic, yogurt and barley was ordered out of intrigue. I loved the punch of the wild garlic on the night, but when you can still taste it the next day, you know it might have been overdone. The warm almond and plum tart I had for dessert was pretty special too.

At £25 a head, including drinks and service, dinner was an awesome value. The London Particular could easily hold its own in Sydney. But I'm pleased it isn't in Sydney, I prefer it right down the road in New Cross.

Oh, and I still want their large share table for my dining room.

Hot chips with chilli yogurt

Winter slow with a honey mustard dressing

Hispe cabbage, lemon, chilli

 Crown prince squash, sauteed raddichio, canellini beans, rosemary crumbs

Nettles, wild garlic, yogurt, barley

Onglet, beetroot, green gram, mustard leaves

Sticky pork ribs with pickled fennel

 

Affogato

Almond and plum tart

London Particular
399 New Cross Road
New Cross
SE14 6LA

Restaurant Review: Chinwag, New Cross

Inside Chinwag, New Cross

On Wednesday night I had dinner with a couple of friends at Chinwag, a recently opened café in New Cross.

From the interview the owners gave on Brockley Central it sounds like they went through blood, sweat and tears to get their first restaurant open. They've put a lot of their personality into the small café which has a busy interior and lots of detailing on the walls and counter top. They've managed to pull off the decor without making the place feel cluttered.

The Chicken Burger

The dinner menu is compact with just four items on it: a beef, lamb, chicken or veggie burger. A bit limited if you wanted a starter, side or just something other than a burger.

With my dining companions plumping for the beef and lamb burgers, I chose the chicken burger (£6.99) with extra avocado. The first thing you notice is that the burgers are huge. Easily twice the size of the burger I had at Goodmans the previous week and at half the price too it was pretty good value. The base of the bun is smeared with aioli, covered with lettuce tomato and a little red onion and then the filling of your choice is covered with their burger relish.

As can be the way my chicken burger was a little dry, although the aioli definitely helped compensate. The homemade lamb and beef patties looked like the way to go and are the ones I'd like to try next time.

The love their books at Chinwag. Both the menus 

and bill came in one 

Although compact the kitchen in Chinwag definitely isn't the smallest I've seen, so it was a shame to discover that they don't serve any desserts. A retro ice cream sundae or pumpkin pie would have gone down nicely. Hopefully they'll expand the menu as they continue to find their feet.

Enjoying at Norfolk Kiwi at The Royal Albert

With Chinwag still waiting on their alcohol license we decided to finish the evening with a couple of drinks at the The Royal Albert. I've long heard it recommended as one of the areas best pubs, but have never been in before. I can only say I agree with all the reviews. A good range of beer, friendly staff and a good atmosphere. I very much enjoyed a couple of pints of Norfolk Kiwi before strolling home.

Chinwag
21 Lewisham Way
New Cross
SE14 6PP

Restaurant Review: The London Particular, New Cross

Outside of The London Particular

After a 27km run and some blackberry picking I deserved a hearty brunch. I decided to check out The London Particular which has caught my eye when cycling past on my daily commute.

Despite having a very British name, stepping through the door I could easily have been back in Sydney. Small and independent. Check. Share table. Check. Funky interior with eclectic furniture. Check. This café wouldn't be out of place in Sydney's emerging suburb of Redfern.

The Particular Brunch Bowl

As a recovery breakfast I ordered The Particular Brunch bowl with an optional soft boiled egg (£8.50). The egg had a perfectly runny yolk which oozed across the plate. I enjoyed the merguez sausages and salty / garlicky roast mushroom. While the homemade baked beans were a little al dente for me, they packed a good flavour.

The Particular Iced Coffee

On my second visit I selected The Peculiar warm sandwich of the day with optional bacon (£8.50). The lightly toasted sourdough was filled with bacon, feta, roasted pepper, courgette, watercress and basil. The salty feta helped set off the other ingredients which were perfectly tender.

The sandwich came accompanied with a substantial bulgar wheat salad containing more of the grilled courgette. All in all a pretty substantial lunch.

The Particular warm sandwich of the day

The London Particular is already becoming a firm local favourite. The friendly staff, quality ingredients from some of the areas best suppliers and menu full of interesting combinations is sure to keep me coming back for more.

I absolutely loved their share table, which is the dining table of my dreams. Will you sell it to me please?

The London Particular
399 New Cross Road
London
SE14 6LA