The Exhibition Rooms

David Massey has beef in his blood. Having grown up on his parents' cattle farm in Leicestershire, it seems fitting that he should end up as chef and part owner of a restaurant where chateaubriand and burgers are the favourite dishes.
The Exhibition Rooms is the culmination of a career that has so far taken David all over the world, cooking in Australia, New Zealand, throughout the Mediterranean, and even in Beverley Hills, where he worked for Austrian-American celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck, at Spago. Returning to the UK, David worked for Antony Worrall Thompson, and was also Head Chef at the 5th Floor, Harvey Nicholls. Then one day he had one of those chance meetings which can change everything. He was manning the smoothie stall at his daughter's school fête, when he met another parent, Geoff Ridgeon, who just happened to own the site of a former Thai restaurant on Westow Hill.
Located in a handsome Victorian corner site, the original idea was to open a bar, or a less ambitious restaurant, but as the ball started rolling, so too did the creative inspiration. The result is an elegant dining room, which alludes to Paxton's great greenhouse which stood around the corner, without going overboard on the theme. Raffles in Singapore also comes to mind with the lush palms and dark wooden floor.

Downstairs is altogether different. More Exhibitionist Rooms than Exhibition Rooms. Decadent red velvet, zebra skin and gilded Louis chairs make this an exotic drinking den, and popular party venue. Perfectly suited for colourful cocktails. The accidentally discovered vault, which had lain bricked up, can be separately hired for an intimate gathering.

Opening in the teeth of the recession 3 years ago, could have been disastrous, but serving good quality and unfussy modern cuisine has more than seen them through. Manager, Brendan Sharkey points to their Time Out 'Best neighbourhood restaurant 2009' with pride. I for one will be dropping by for their burgers and mussels on a monday, or perhaps even the chateaubriand.

Left: Manager, Brendan Sharkey, right: Chef & Owner, David Massey

Brown & Green

The week after the August Bank Holiday, always feels like the start of a new term, even 21 years after leaving full time education, I still get that slightly anxious feeling. So for those of you dreading the return to work after the summer, and wondering how you're going to put up with all those daily commutes between now and Christmas, I thought it might be a good time to feature Brown & Green at Gipsy Hill Station. I know this isn't exactly in the Triangle, but the station could be said to be one of the Triangle's gateways. And besides, the cafe and its proprietors are lovely, bringing a ray of sunshine to the morning commute, and well worth featuring.


Following the station's interminable recent refurbishment, twin sisters, Laura and Jess Tilli won the pitch to open a new cafe next to the ticket barriers. Many will know Laura and Jess from their TV success on The Restaurant, in which they were runners up in the competition to run their own restaurant. Coming second was the best possible result according to Jess. It gave them a huge boost without having the pressure of suddenly becoming full-time restaurateurs, and it enabled them to continue with their varied food related projects, such as Gobble Gobble, their childrens' party catering business, and Florentine & Pig, a website which aims to get children interested in cooking. The opening of the cafe, followed a brief period of doing the food at the Gipsy Hill Tavern. Now, commuters and passers-by alike, seem to be relishing their home-made and wholesome offerings, and the station has almost become a destination in its own right.

Jess & Laura

In your rush through the station to catch a train, you might want to stop and check not only the departure boards, but also, Brown & Green's blackboard. As well as listing all their tempting treats, if your name is up there, you'll be entitled to a free cuppa!

Crystal Palace Overground Festival 2011

After the ugly scenes that have played out in our cities recently, it was great to see people coming together and enjoying themselves in SE19 last weekend. The Triangle was buzzing with happy crowds mooching amongst the buskers, bunting and street food. However, the epicentre of the weekend's events was Westow Park. I have to confess, when I think of our local park, the other one always comes to mind, and it's not often I've set foot in this one. Tucked behind Sainsbury's, it's slightly off my radar. In fact I've met some locals who were unaware of its existence. With its gentle slope down to the main stage, it turned out to be the perfect venue for a great afternoon. I'm already looking forward to next year's festival.

The Triangle

Bambino Bunting

Skyline Cinema

Brendan's Burgers

The Park

Shady Lady

Capacity Crowd!

No, really!

A man of Good Taste

Still Queuing

Shou Fang

You may have noticed the curtain hanging in the doorway to No.60 Church Road, with the classic Japanese image of a rolling wave. This is the unusual entrance to Shou Fang's little boutique. 

Shou actually comes from Taiwan, but sells a range of clothing and accessories made by designers in several far eastern countries. The shop's 'u.s.p.' is just that; everything on offer is unique, a one-off. Shou often wears items by these same designers, which can be an issue when customers ask her for the one she has on. Particularly eye catching are the colourful patterned items in a little suitcase, which I took to be scarves, but are in fact leggings. Available in every print imaginable.

The shop's real charm is in the way it's owner has personalised the space and given it an identity. From her collection of Japanese toy characters to the mood boards that form a backdrop to the shop.

Shou's own background is as colourful as the merchandise. Growing up in rural Taiwan, she had to work for many years to pay her way through college, where she studied Interior Design and Surveying. Among her many jobs, she worked in a computer factory, in a call centre, as a legal secretary, and even in a bowling hall. So coming to London and opening a fashion shop held no fear for her. She mentioned that she has plans to open her own restaurant. I don't think she was joking. She clearly has as much energy as that great Japanese wave.

Shou Fang

60 Church Road

http://www.shoufangfashion.com/

Belle Coco

We all love a good moan about health and safety rules and regulations, but occasionally there is a positive aspect to them. All the chairs and sofas in Belle Coco have had to be re-upholstered to meet current requirements, as back in the 60s & 70s when they were made, they were routinely stuffed with highly flammable and toxic foam. Re-covered in period textiles, they should last until they are antique rather than merely retro. Such is the demand, that shop owners, Helen & Ains have had to take on an upholsterer, and open a workshop space across the road for all their restoration work. It's well earned success for a couple who have worked long and hard in the industry. Years spent buying and selling at the big markets such as Ardingly, Newark & Swinderby were good grounding, but eventually took their toll. Helen recounts how after one particular sub-zero night spent in a camper van, they decided it was time to stop the itinerant lifestyle, and set up shop. After stints on Anerley Road and subsequently, Haynes Lane, the couple opened at 40 Church Road about 18 months ago.

Strangely, for Ains it wasn't the first time running a business from that address. In one of his many previous careers, he ran a computer training business from the very same shop. Other career highlights include being Eric & Julia Morley's official photographer in the days they were running Miss World, and  working behind the scenes in film and TV, as cameraman, news editor and special effects maker for Top of the Pops. Meanwhile Helen worked in equally wide-ranging industries from graphic design to hairdressing.

While I was in the shop taking these pictures, I was reflecting on how design from that era is rather like marmite. You either love it or loathe it, with very little in between. I know, for example that my aunt, and many of her generation absolutely detest it, having lived with it all the first time round. My ageist assumptions were however knocked firmly on the head, when a stylish elderly woman came into the shop and promptly bought a space-age spherical TV. 

Whatever your views, I defy anyone to walk into the shop and not break into a smile, whether from some memory triggered by eccentric light fittings, or the sound of the R Whites lemonade TV commercial playing in the background.

Perhaps the strangest item I spotted was this multi purpose occasional table/planter/trellis/light fitting. Now who came up with that?

So popular has mid-century furniture become locally, that we might soon refer to the area as The Retroangle!

Belle Coco

40 Church Road

02000 111715