Reviews Discussions on stroudgreen.org

Il Piccolo Diavolo

Patso — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:11:06 -0400

Any views on the food here - have noticed that its got quite busy.

Driving instructor recommendations?

Richard — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 14:34:26 -0400

Hi all

Just wondering if anyone could recommend me a driving instructor in the area? If you know of a good one please let me know.

Thanks

Richard

Sunshine Café - avoid

krappyrubsnif — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 11:06:36 -0400

I normally avoid greasy breakfasts but sometimes you need a quick carb boost in a hurry and the Sunshine Café always used to be the place - its £4 set breakfast was the best in town.

Not any more. I'm in there now and its the worst English breakfast I've ever had. Leathery bacon, carbonised black pudding and toast ten minutes late. Terrible food but not even enjoyably terrible. Standards have fallen through the floor under new owners. Horrible.

Avoid!

Dhonia

gargoyle — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:30:24 -0400

Lazy as I am, I have been enjoying curries delivered to my door from Dhonia for a few months now, since I moved to the area. They do a lovely jalfrezi with tandoori chicken in it, and a delightful channa masala, and I'm afraid I've not been greatly impressed by Jai Krishna, so Dhonia has become something of a habit. I have even more reason to like them now - the other day when our curries turned up, the delivery man rewarded our loyalty with a free bottle of beer! I've never actually eaten in their restaurant (cf laziness), but would highly recommend delivery.

New shops on SGR - flowers and organic

coling — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:34:50 -0500

I may have been walking with my eyes closed during the grey months, but I noticed 2 new shops (or new to me) at the SGR/Hanley Road end. A new flower shop besides Sainsbury and across the road an Organic shop. Has anyone tried either of them? Always nice to find new shops and not the usual take out or estate agent.

ajani-grill restaurant and jazz, Hornsey Road off the Tollington Park

DKL — Tue, 10 May 2011 16:52:59 -0400

Hi
Have any of you visited new open restaurant on Hornsey Road?
I saw yesterday ad on the window about jazz live music, should be on 21 May Grand opening.
I was just wondering if any of you already had a meal there?
thx

Plumber recommendation

h_phil — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 12:05:54 -0500

I know there are already a couple of threads that mention good plumbers in the area but I wanted to post a more recent one to recommend Ben Hulme-Wright (07949144036). He sorted out our boiler a few weeks ago (I'm finally getting round to doing this), and as he was able to do it so quickly he charged us nothing (!) and just asked me to post a recommendation instead. I can wholeheartedly do that and thought it might be sensible to start a more recent discussion to make sure this gets seen - but sorry if I should have posted this under an old thread!

Ben is actually recommended on a couple of other threads, all confirming that he's excellent, very friendly and very tidy. I wanted to add that when he's done work at our flat not only has he done a brilliant job (really thorough) he's always gone out of his way to be helpful. Our boiler just needed the pressure sorting out this time, and he showed us how we can do it ourselves if it happens again. It is an easy job but in my last flat a plumber charged me to do to the same thing and certainly didn't offer to teach me how to do it myself.

If you're looking for a plumber he's awesome.

Chez Liline

matt — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:11:04 -0400

Had a meal there last night - amazing.

Scallops and mushrooms in sauce to start, monkfish as main, hazelbut nougat glace for dessert. Others had the fish curry, red snapper with chilli and assorted desserts. All food was absolutely brilliant.

The owner(?) is really nice and knows his fish and food. Apparently they've been there 21 years! I asked how business was at the moment and he said very uneven and sort of winced. Any fish or food lovers really need to go there!

Previously, I'd only been there once a few years ago and had some awkward crab dish.

Stroud Green WI does 'Strictly'! 13 Nov 2012, 7.30pm

StroudGreenWI — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 07:58:13 -0500

If you fancy yourself as a ballroom queen, come along to our meeting tomorrow when dance instructor Tony Brock will be putting us through our paces in the waltz & cha-cha! All women welcome!

7.30pm, The Hideaway, Ennis Rd N4.

PS - If you want to bring heels, they should be 1-2 inches high and not too stiletto-y.

Jenny's Beauty Salon on Tollington Park - any good?

Rebecca B — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 09:26:09 -0400

Hi,
I was thinking of trying out Jenny's beauty salon on Tollington Park for a manicure. Has anyone on here been before? Is it any good? I also can't find a price list on the web and wondered how expensive it is?

Cherished

therattle — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:52:40 -0400

Cherished is a new shop that opened recently at top of SGR opposite Sainsburys. They sell second-hand children's clothes, and personalised nursery furniture and accessories. Mrs rattle went there recently and picked up some lovely baby clothes for a very reasonable price, and said that the people were lovely - so much so that she has asked me to put in a good work for them here.

Ged Hogan and the guys at Green Earth

JodieR — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:18:01 -0400

Just had a really good experience with a local gardener which I wanted to share... His names Ged Hogan and he and his team (get the impression they're all old pals) just did a total makeover on my back garden and it looks fantastic.

Felt like I was taking a bit of a chance initially because I just got them off the internet (mentioned here on a very old discussion board) but they proved to be knowledgeable, considerate, very reasonably priced compared to other quotes I had and got on with the job without fuss. They laid a new patio, re-did the beds and put down a lawn so really a total transformation. I was particularly struck by the care they took over the drainage of the patio which was technically tricky to get right without compromising the appearance (it was on a slope and I wanted it flatter) and the pride they took in the job overall. For example, in the weeks following they've dropped round several times to check how the lawn is doing and offer advice on planting etc. Don't think many other gardeners would have done that - real professionals. I'm dead chuffed!

Dry cleaners

gemgreen — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 05:32:40 -0400

Hello
Could anyone recommend a dry cleaners in the Stroud Green/Crouch End area?
I have a lovely silk and chiffon dress which needs cleaning.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank you

Il Piccolo Diavolo

Mothersuperior — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:09:14 -0500

Just wanted to make a note about this new place. If you are local to the area (like me!) then it's well worth popping in and trying this cafe/restaurant like we did. We had great pizza and the staff were so friendly. Another thing was it was a good place to remember to take the kids: food is the kind they would like too and the place feels welcoming to families which I can't say about everywhere!

Barbers - Vitor in Tollington Park (*****)

TollingtonTom — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 12:49:43 -0500

164 Tollington Park Road, N4 3AJ Vitor has cut the hair of my whole family from 4 year old tot to grinning granny and all the fussy kids, teenagers and glamour-puss wife in between. We all have him to thank for keeping us smart and cheerful . A nicer guy and more modest bloke you could not wish to meet, and anyone will tell you he is a really strong, technically excellent, hair dresser/barber at a very reasonable price. In fact I am told several slick Hornsey Road policemen make a bee-line to him for very arresting hair cuts – not to mention the most fashionable kids at IAMS school, and the dapper manager of Christopher Charles Estate Agents!! My GQ-styled brother from the US came and went there and said (quote) ‘He may sport a Kojak cut, but boy, that dude can cut hair’. So, there you have it.

I would not normally write such a rave review but, at this difficult economic time, I really think this classy clipper deserves to succeed with his terrific tonsorial business and you could be the ones to help him turn a close shave into a permanent wave.
C’mon, say it: V for Vitor!!

Nandos

petra — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 00:22:10 -0500

Walking home tonight I noticed Nandos on lower stroud green rd has closed down.

Quite surprised as it always seemed very busy (never eaten there myself though)

Anybody know what's opening there?

Fantastic new Italian "Il Piccolo Diavolo"

gaynorhowe — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:12:15 -0500

Forget Pizza Express and Firezza, this is a great new restaurant that does the BEST pizza's and at an excellent price. The new owners are a lovely Italian family who really know their stuff, I have never enjoyed a pizza so much outside of Italy! The coffee cake (also home made by the super friendly Cristina) was exquisite so if you just want a decent coffee and cake in the morning, or if you want a full blown truly genuine Italian experience, this is the place to go. I went with my two kids and am already looking forward to our next visit. A really welcoming family atmosphere, great menu (they do all sorts of other yummy things aside of pizza and are open for breakfast too) and fantastic food.... get down there folks!

Dancing girls

hooofck — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:40:04 -0400

On a recent visit to the excellently random Triangle restuarant we were pleasantly surprised (but mildly embarassed in a don't-quite-know-where-to-look English way) to be suddenly joined by a belly dancer sporting a spangly bikini and other shiny trinkets. Have any other residents been slightly taken aback by any other exotic dances while waiting for their starters in the area?

Ajani - Nigerian owned Jazz Bar

benjilanyado — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:32:46 -0400

Wotcha... my first post! A long-time SG loiterer... previously of Crouch Hill and Tollington Park, and now of Florence Road (via a brief stint in Hackney which we don't talk about).

Felt compelled to join to tell y'all about Ajani, a recently opened Jazz Bar / grill house on Hornsey Road, on the junction at the end of Tollington Park. It looks deeply average from outside, but it's lovely inside, with lots of jazz posters and wood panels. The food is great - ribs, peri peri chicken, fishcakes, fish... and £6.50 for two courses during midweek evenings! They have live jazz there too.

The owner Patrick is a true hero... who comes out after cooking to chat to guests. He has no idea how to market himself, so I'm on a mission to tell as many SG folk as possible. Please go.. and report back. I hope you fall in love like I did. Here are a few pics I took:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7704109@N05/6269541950/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7704109@N05/6269003811/in/photostream/

Thanks for having me,
Benji

Woody Grill

matt — Mon, 14 May 2007 18:36:43 -0400

Currently being shop fitted. Not sure what it is but by the sounds of things it could be a kebab shop or restaurant.

Or a shop that sells grills.

Housebites

rainbow_carnage — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:32:59 -0500

Last night we got our dinner from Housebites. A lovely chef called Daniel Jack cycled from Stokey to bring us three course of deliciousness. How have I not heard of this before?

This is their website: http://www.housebites.com

There are currently two chefs who deliver to the area. The selection gets bigger if you're willing to pick up the food from the chef's house, but I'm just not that motivated. If I wanted to leave my house, I'd go to a restaurant.

We had the risotto, the greens, the pumpkin soup and the chocolate cake. Everything was amazing. Generous portions. And the chef is kinda cute. Will definitely order from him again.

If anyone's interested in trying them out, let me know. They have a deal on where if you recommend a friend, both people get 30% off their next order. PM me your e-mail address, and I'll send you the discount.

La Tavernetta

Marquis — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 18:14:53 -0400

Just discovered this today - has it been around long? And what happened to Mari e Monti? I looked at the menu and that looked quite ok (standard Italian minus pizza), as did the interior, but as I would have been the only customer and the whole staff seemed ever so eager I walked on.

Dotori review

ben — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:48:20 -0400

I've just had a quick meal at the new Korean-Japanese restaurant, opposite the Twelve Pins, and I want to recommend it. Nice atmosphere, even though the location isn't all that promising, and the sushi that I had was really excellent. It wasn't full, but a few new people came in while I was there. Keep it alive!

Good for Food

Pru — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:31:39 -0400

Did you know that Helena is now opening Good for Food (in Blackstock Road) in the evenings too? She's had a full kitchen fitted in the old store room and now has a chef cooking on site on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
This is a real milestone as originally she wasn't allowed to cook anything more than toasties on site under the terms of her lease.

We went there on Saturday evening - the opening night - and had a great time. Very good menu: about 4 starters, 5 main courses, and 3 desserts which all sounded great. We had little salt cod fish cakes to start which were perfect. One sea bass with fennel and one chicken with chorizo and lentils as mains: really tasty. Gooseberry mess for pudding was very good too.

It's BYO, which is perfect as it helps to keep the cost down.
New paintings in there by local artist and GFF regular which I loved too.
Recommended.

Venezia

Ed B — Mon, 26 May 2008 18:48:11 -0400

Has anyone tried the new Venzia Italian resturaunt yet? I've had a couple of pizzas from there recently (takeaway) and it's pretty damn good.

I think they're struggling for custom, give them a go, they're a friendly bunch too.

Also, they have a free beer per order deal on at the moment - which is nice.

Hot Pepper Jelly

matt — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:55:32 -0400

I love this place. Recommened my an American friend of mine, who swore by their special peanut butter, hot pepper jelly and bacon (or cheese) sandwich.

The thought made me a bit queasy, but I tried it (well, the one with the slightly less hot sweet chilli sauce) and was converted.

More Information

I've added it to the map.

Jai Krishna

Joakim — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:08:01 -0400

Hello!

As I'm sure most of you know, Jai Krishna is a humble looking indian vegetarian restaurant on SGR.

I love it for those weekday nights when you're too tired to cook & want something simple and cheap. Me and my girlfriend always get the thali for 1 person to takeaway - which is plenty enough for two!

Although I love it, and at £7-8 for 2 it is a bargain, I'm wondering if anyone has found any other favourites on the menu to recommend?

Maybe maybe I'll be brave enough to try something else next time ;)

Skål
Joakim

i Borboni

rainbow_carnage — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:18:41 -0400

This isn't really Stroud Green, but it's localish.

Has anyone tried i Borboni on Green Lanes by Manor House? I'm curious what people think. Someone recommended it for cheap and tasty Neapolitan food. The reviews are very good. But I mentioned it to a foodie friend, who absolutely hated it. She said the food was grey and bland. And this girl knows her Italian. I'd trust her over the person who first told me about it.

Anyway, I'm still debating whether or not to check it out. Has anyone had a positive experience?

Yoga - Weekly, every Wednesday

Dani Bear — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 21:47:58 -0400

Early evening yoga in this beautiful gallery.
£5/£7 per session.

Please pre-book at least 30 mins before the class - 07912 880 820.
http://greenlenstudios.com/

Where?
Green Lens Photographic Studios, 4a Atterbury Road, N4 1SF

Ariana's Cafe

rainbow_carnage — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:13:04 -0400

I'm currently sitting in Ariana's Cafe, on the corner of Fonthill Road and Lennox Road. According to the guy behind the counter, it's been open for a year. How is it that I've never been here before?

So far, I've only tried the coffee, which is surprisingly drinkable. The music is a bit shite, but at least it's quiet. The fridges are a tad too loud, but now I'm just being picky. The best thing is that for a good half an hour, I was the only person here.

From now on, Good for Food will be my socialising cafe. Ariana's is my new work cafe. I just need to learn to turn off wi-fi....