….SJ is pleased that thieving is not tolerated.
Streatham
Flowers: Sherree Francis, Streatham
Always a delight to receive flowers, especially when they’re this beautiful.
(Shame the reason was illness but what can you do). The purchaser of these gorgeous blooms reported that the florist at Sherree Francis was very helpful. We wouldn’t know the price, it’s rude to ask, but we’re guessing it’s not on the cheap side. Several days on, the flowers are still thriving – we love the dusky, delicate colours. It’s a right pain when we have to take them out of their cellophane… Upon looking at their website we note they also deliver champagne and food hampers – now that is a weekly delivery we’d like every Friday…
In fact, SwishJunction found itself in a ‘first world problem’ situation this week as we have just one wide vase but two bouquets of flowers delivered (told you). However nowhere in Streatham seemed to sell a simple, wide vase. We lacked the energy to pursue it further… if anyone knows of a shop that sells home furnishings like this we’d love to know about it.
Reviewed: Earl Grey & Rose, Streatham Hill
On our first ever walk up Leigham Court Road towards our new flat, we passed this quaint little cafe-cum-jewellery shop. The bottom of this road is a random combo of the usual shops – newsagents, barbers, charity shop and a restaurant called the Dorchester that looks like it’s in a time warp (we’re SO visiting there soon).
Earl Grey & Rose sticks out – the pale blue shop sign, windows stuffed with looks-good-enough-to-eat cakes and bakes (just as well, of course). We’ve lived in Streatham for a month and this was our first opportunity to visit.
No detail has been spared – you’ve got bunting, jam jars, rows of teapots and homemade chutney (more on that later), and a miss mash of shabby-chic tables and chairs, not to mention Radio 2 in the background (pleasingly it was Tony Blackburn’s show, which fitted the vintage feel rather nicely).
So, food. We had:
*Brie, bacon and avocado sandwich (£4.50). You could choose between white, granary and rosemary/olive oil bread, and toasted or not. We went for rosemary/olive oil, plus toasted (who can resist the melty texture of brie?).
*Ploughman’s (£7.50) – choose between a huge variety of cheeses, then whether you want it as it is or half and half (that’d be with a helping of ham).
*Strawberry cupcake. Choose between various basic but delicious flavours, all made that day – lemon, blueberry, chocolate etc. All delicately decorated, as you’d expect…
*We washed it down with Victorian Lemonade and elderflower cordial – hardly their fault, but I always think these bottles are way too tiny for the price sold and the amount you really want. I’d finished mine before our food even arrived.
We only waited around ten mins for our orders. Everything was in huge servings, garnished with soft lettuce leaves (none of the leftover stalky stuff you’re reluctant to gnaw on), and a syrupy honey/mustard/balsamic style dressing. When we say huge, we mean it. Check out the HUGE chunks of ham!
Delicate enough to tear apart easily with a fork, there was actually another layer of the stuff underneath the lettuce, pictured. The gherkins and pickled onions were a fab traditional touch, and the homemade chutney was sweet with a pleasingly sharp aftertaste. You can buy the stuff to take home, too.
The sandwich didn’t lack any ingredient, and the bacon was also substantial and fat-free. Quite frankly, we were too full for the cupcake but we did our duty and gobbled it up. See, strawberries all the way inside too…
Our lunch came to just under £20 – we won’t need to eat until dinner now. It wasn’t as busy as the likes of Lavish Habit, which surprised us. Perhaps because it’s not quite in the hub of Streatham, we don’t know. Do make a visit though. The relaxing environment let us take a step out of our hectic lives, if only for an hour…
Enq: Earl Grey & Rose, 1 Streatleigh Parade, SW16 1EQ.
Charitable hobbies
Aside from eating, drinking and shopping, SwishJunction likes to dabble in a hobby or two. And how pleasing that Balham and the surrounding area is able to indulge this, especially housed in our fab charity shops. This wonderful age of the internet means we can pretty much do everything and anything online but sometimes it’s nice to shut down the computer, get out in town and get social, while embracing your cultural side. We’ve not been to the following events ourselves but watch out for reviews in the future.
Oxfam on Balham High Road holds a book club once a month. The next session is 7th December at 7:30pm in their shop. The next book is The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. You don’t have to sign up and there’s no fee (but a donation or mini book spree in store would always be welcome I’m sure). Pictured are our recent Oxfam Bookshop buys – we’re busy on 7th (gotta love the Christmas social scene) but think that this is a serious contender for a weekday social night in January.
Trinity Hospice, also on Balham High Road, until recently held a weekly knitting group in their shop but with the departure on their manager their sessions have ceased. We’ve since found out that their Streatham Hill Branch holds a knitting session every Wednesday from 6pm-8pm for £3. Knit and pearl among like-minded locals and share and receive tips. Their stores also stock a healthy supply of wool to invest in your hobby. Admittedly SwishJunction is a seasonal knitter who is in need of a little more guidance so this sounds right up our street.
South London Life 