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Tulse Hill Hotel review: Seasonal British fare in a charming Victorian gastropub
Poached eggs and smoked salmon brunch at the Tulse Hill Hotel
Situated in between West Norwood, Brixton, Herne Hill and West Dulwich, Tulse Hill has long been overlooked as a destination for drinking and dining. Having lived in the nearby area all my life, I admittedly never stepped foot inside the Tulse Hill Hotel’s former guise as a regular ‘old men’s’ pub. However, when I heard the pub had been taken over in late 2014 by the Metropolitan Pub Company, known for their quality gastropubs on both sides of the river, I knew I had to check it out.
Tulse Hill has existed as a residential area since the early 19th century, with the land being owned by the Tulse family since the 1650s. The opening of Tulse Hill train station in the 1860s really created a boom in the area’s growth. Situated on what was muddy Norwood Lane – now Norwood Road – the Tulse Hill Hotel was built in 1840 and became a notable landmark in the area. The Met Pub Co have restored the hotel back to its Victorian grandeur, creating a nine-room boutique hotel and splitting the downstairs pub into separate restaurant and drinking areas with an antique bar and cosy fireplaces.
Sweet: Chocolate tart and salted caramel ice cream
Despite being situated on a busy junction on the South Circular, it’s surprisingly relaxing and quiet inside. Having visited last summer just for drinks, the decent sized garden out back was quite a draw on a warm evening. Earlier this month for a friend’s birthday, I finally got the chance to check out the restaurant when we booked a lunch seating. Visiting on a weekday afternoon, the pub was fairly quiet in comparison to evenings and weekends when I have been for drinks. We were shown to a comfortable table for three with views out of the wide landscape windows to the garden, letting in lots of light.
The restaurant offers seasonal British fare throughout the day, from breakfast through to brunch and lunch and dinner, as well as bar food in the pub section. To my delight, they serve brunch dishes daily up until 5pm. So despite some of the delicious lunch options on offer such as Stone Bass or Onglet Steak, I couldn’t resist the lure of the brunch menu. I decided on Poached Eggs and Smoked Salmon served on Sourdough Toast (£8). The egg was cooked perfectly, with the yolk oozing over the salmon and bread… delicious. As we were celebrating a birthday, we had to have some bubbles as well, opting for an Elderflower Bellini, which was a perfect light and refreshing tipple for that time of the day. It was also served in a coupe glass, rather than a flute, which was a nice touch.
Despite not having a huge appetite on the day, the dessert menu was just too appealing so I plumped for a Chocolate Tart and Salted Caramel Ice Cream (£7). It was enjoyable, but very rich so perhaps recommended for serious chocoholics. The ice cream did tone down the richness somewhat and complemented it well.
Overall, it was a good experience and I will definitely be back to both the restaurant and the pub. The staff are friendly and professional. We had a really lovely and chatty waitress who gave us her personal recommendations. The venue itself is really fitted out well, it’s very cosy, yet full of light and the period features are charming. Tulse Hill has long needed a decent food and drink venue and I’m glad it finally has one after all these years.
- Tulse Hill Hotel, 150 Norwood Road, Tulse Hill, SE24 9AY. Nearest station: Tulse Hill. For more information, visit the Tulse Hill Hotel website.
The Tulse Hill Hotel has a decent sized garden for the warmer months
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The Stonhouse review: Hearty British fare in this cosy gastropub
Pub fare: Sirloin steak and chips at The Stonhouse
Apple Pie cocktail
Clapham covers a huge area, and within that area, a huge wealth of eating choices. However, for those looking for a more laid-back culinary experience, or a seamless fusion from eating to drinking, a gastropub is always a good option. While a lot of Clapham‘s restaurants stand on busy thoroughfares such as the High Street or Northcote Road, The Stonhouse stands on a quiet side street off the High Street, just a few minutes walk from Clapham Common tube station. The Stonhouse includes a variety of tabled seating areas, long bar and an all-weather pub garden. I had booked a table for two for a Saturday night through TopTable, but you can also book direct through their website.
The pub is light, contemporary and bright, featuring a mix of leather and wooden seating. We were given a table by the windows with comfortable leather armchairs – which I’m sure prompted us to stay in the pub drinking longer than we anticipated. Given it was a cold November night, the pub was warm and cosy immediately upon entering. The clientele was a mix of young professionals in their 20s and 30s, mostly groups of friends, giving the venue a relaxed vibe.
Fish pie and seasonal greens
As I arrived earlier than my friend, I ordered a cocktail from the extensive and original menu to enjoy while I waited for her. I started with the Apple Pie – Zumbrowka vodka, fresh muddled apple, fresh lemon juice, soda and cinnamon sprinkles to garnish. The drink was refreshing with subtle flavours, meaning it was a good accompaniment to a meal.
As we were both opting for a hearty mains, we decided against having a starter as well. I ordered a Halibut, Salmon & Prawn pie, which was served with a mashed potato topping with a side order of seasonal greens. The pie was a perfect size for me – was filling, hearty and tasty – but didn’t leave me feeling heavy afterwards. The side vegetables were incredibly fresh and rich in flavour, but got cold on the side plate incredibly quickly. My friend ordered Sirloin Steak and Chips, nicely presented on a chopping board with a side salad. It was an impressive 10z slab and my friend said it was rich and delicious.
Overall, we had a leisurely, relaxed dinner. The service was friendly and fast. There was no pressure to leave after we finished so we stayed on and enjoyed some more cocktails. It was a comfortable place to spend the evening with both good food and a place to drink. I could easily see The Stonhouse becoming a regular spot for me.
- 165 Stonhouse Street, Clapham, SW4 6BJ. Tel: 020 7819 9312. Nearest station: Clapham Common. For more information, visit the Stonhouse website.
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Sylvan Post review: Popular pub fare and real ales in a very unique venue
Retro feel; The Sylvan Post appears to have utilised the old Post Office counter as their sturdy bar
Original features: The shelving still features labels written by postmasters past
So many pubs and bars these days blend into one another with their identical interiors and serving the same range of drinks. However, when it comes to the newest addition to the Forest Hill drinking scene, Sylvan Post is a truly unique venue. The pub is located in an old 1960s post office, with many of the original features still in existence. I wouldn’t use the word converted exactly, because there are still so many Royal Mail features within the building, which I loved. The bar itself feels like an old Post Office counter, with the original shelving and clock behind – I could even read ‘first class x 12’ and ‘second class x 12’ written on one of the shelves. The door to what would have been the back office is now accessible with a mish mash of seating amongst old filing cabinets, including the metal strong room door. Adding to the retro, kitsch feel are formica tables and wooden seating, giving the pub a working men’s club-meet-school canteen – in a good way! The owners had clearly embraced the building’s history with lots of Royal Mail paraphernalia mixed with beer mats and other interiors from the 1960s.
Mediterranean fare: Vegetable frittata with salad and fresh bread drizzled in oil
Old skool vibe: The pub features Formica tables and a mish-mash of seating
The night in question a group of friends and myself visited, it was incredibly busy due to the Museum At Nights event up the hill at the Horniman Museum. Although we were too big a group to fit in one of the cosy-looking booths, we were lucky enough to get one of the large tables. We were all starving, so ordered from the varied menu, which includes a mix of British and Mediterranean fare. I ordered a vegetable frittata with salad and fresh bread, which was delicious and filling. Two of my friends ordered the Angus beef burger, which they really enjoyed.
Ale drinkers will be particularly drawn to this pub as it always has four real ales on tap. There was a good wine menu too, as well as the usual collection of bottled beers and ciders and spirits. The service was friendly, with a mix of 20 and 30 something clientele. Although it attracts mostly locals, it won’t disappoint those making a longer trip seeking a unique and quirky venue.
- Sylvan Post. 24-28 Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3XU. Nearest train/Overground station: Forest Hill (13 minutes from London Bridge). For more information, visit the Sylvan Post website.
The converted Post Office still features the different post boxes on the exterior
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