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Though it has the look of a Carnaby Street style bar, with funky lighting and minimalist decor in gunmetal grey, this new Brixton joint differs from the trendy West End in three ways: it's friendly, it's cheap, and the chef really, really knows what he's doing. Expecting to be served the sort of delicate nibbles that flashy bars specialise in, we were surprised by some of the best and most authentic gastropub fare we'd eaten all year.
A huge burger, charred on the outside, pink and overflowing with juices on the inside, was accompanied by delicious lemony relish and a giant plate of perfect chips. A scrummy seasonal pheasant dish had a red cabbage accompaniment that mixed with the bird's sauce to make an amazing gravy mush. And the best leek and potato soup I've ever eaten came in a vat-like bowl and cost only £3.50, which is about what you'd pay for a bowl of peanuts in most places like this.
To my regret, I was far too full for a pudding by the time I'd tucked into my first two courses, but since we paid just over fifteen pounds a head for a huge, delicious meal, with drinks, I shall certainly be returning to sample them. There is also an extremely stylish bar (reviewed in the nightlife section).
Any flaws? Well, the small space and pared-down style make it a bit of noise trap, so it's not ideal for a date. And given how good it is, it's likely to be very hard to get a table, once word gets out. Brixton's best restaurant, and the area's first genuine destination bar. |
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Alternative
Gastropub Near Hive |
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| London Dining |
| The Abbeville |
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67-69
Abbeville Road,
SW4
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29 minutes distance from Hive
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| Clapham locals flock to this excellent gastropub on the weekends, when it's advisable to book a table. They come for the food and also because ...More...
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| London Dining |
| The Anchor & Hope |
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36
The Cut,
South Bank,
London,
SE1
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2.77 miles distance from Hive
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| This is a gastropub that takes both parts of its name seriously, and you can certainly have a good evening just popping in to sample ...More...
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| London Dining |
| Rosie's Deli Cafe |
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14e
Market Row,
Brixton Market,
SW9
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3 minutes distance from Hive
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| The counter at Rosie's Deli Cafe is stacked high with all your unusual culinary requirements. Less run of the mill is the 1950s styling and ...More...
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| London Dining |
| Franco Manca |
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4
Market Row,
Brixton Market,
SW9
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3 minutes distance from Hive
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| When Franco Manca say they use slow-rising sourdough to make their pizzas they mean slow-rising. The organic flour, yeast and water sourdough mixture is left ...More...
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| London Hotels |
| Church Street Hotel |
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29-33
Camberwell Church Street,
London,
SE5
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30 minutes distance from Hive
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| Billing itself as 'a Spanish Americana oasis in the heart of downtown South London', the Church Street Hotel is certainly unique and boutique-y. Frida Kahlo ...More...
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| London Hotels |
| Plaza on the River |
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18
Albert Embankment,
London,
SE1
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1.9 miles distance from Hive
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| Riverside rooms at this modern luxury hotel overlook the River Thames with the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the London Eye visible. All apartments ...More...
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| London Event |
| White Lies |
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Brixton Academy,
211
Stockwell Road,
SW9
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3 minutes distance from Hive
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| They don't seem to be the happiest 20-somethings do White Lies, the band formerly known as Fear of Flying. Invariably clad in black, the West ...More...
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| London Event |
| Jimmy Carr: Rapier Wit |
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Brixton Academy,
211
Stockwell Road,
SW9
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3 minutes distance from Hive
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| The hardest working man in comedy, Jimmy Carr, brings his acerbic (and often vile) scattergun gags to venues across London this autumn as part of ...More...
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Local
Sights and Attractions Near Hive |
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| Black Cultural Archive and Museum |
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378
Coldharbour Lane,
Brixton,
SW9
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12 minutes distance from Hive
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| This museum is a valuable resource of information on the multi-cultural and multi-ethnic nature of London's society and culture, with temporary exhibitions on diverse aspects ...More...
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| London Shopping |
| The Old Post Office Bakery |
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76
Landor Road,
SW9
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12 minutes distance from Hive
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| In a former Post Office in Lyham Road, Clapham North, The Old Post Office Bakery set up shop in 1982. That was after they'd been ...More...
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| London Shopping |
| Argos |
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16
Atlantic Road,
Brixton,
SW9
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1 minutes distance from Hive
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| Cheap catalogue-based chain store which sells almost everything. Argos is a bit of national institution and offers good deals on all sorts of household goods, ...More...
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Local
Education Near Hive |
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| London Education |
| Lambeth Connexions Centre |
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Lambeth Directions,
1
Acre Lane,
Brixton,
SW2
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6 minutes distance from Hive
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| Connexions is a countrywide information and advisory service for 13-19 year olds and people with special learning needs or disabilities under 25. They offer an ...More...
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| London Leisure |
| Body Alliance |
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88
Atlantic Road,
SW9
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5 minutes distance from Hive
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| Pilates, osteopathy, massage, kinesiology, reflexology and other therapies are offered at Body Alliance in Brixton. Body Alliance was set up by Iovana Velasquez who has ...More...
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| London Pubs |
| The Dogstar |
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389
Coldharbour Lane,
SW9
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4 minutes distance from Hive
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| The original DJ Bar continues to boast a sparkling music policy, funky crowd and friendly vibe. International fame ensures the place is crowded each and ...More...
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| London Pubs |
| Effra |
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38a
Kellet Road,
SW2
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6 minutes distance from Hive
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| By no means your average watering hole; the Effra defies most attempts at description or classification. From the outside it looks like a shabby South ...More...
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Local
Nightlife Near Hive |
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| London Nightlife |
| Plan B |
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418
Brixton Road,
SW9
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2 minutes distance from Hive
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| What really makes Plan B stand out as a party venue is the crowd. Brixton is the capital of South London's nightlife, and this is ...More...
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| London Nightlife |
| Mass |
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St Matthews Peace Garden,
SW2
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7 minutes distance from Hive
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| A night out at this South London hotspot is a truly religious experience. Located in the foundations of a converted church, Mass’s reputation for quality ...More...
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| London Business |
| Plan B |
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418
Brixton Road,
SW9
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2 minutes distance from Hive
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| ...More...
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| London Business |
| O2 Academy Brixton |
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211
Stockwell Road,
Brixton,
SW9
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3 minutes distance from Hive
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| ...More...
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