-
31 Brighton Road
-
44 Victoria Road
-
53 Brighton Road
-
87 Maple Road
-
7 St. Marks Hill
I have noticed that a number of eating places in Surbiton are either closing or closed for refurbishment. Can anyone shed any light?
Italian Taste - closed for reburbishment - not sure why I have always loved it as it was - they just need ot change the menu a bt more often!
Olivio - looks like it is closed completely. Heard a rumour it is going to be a Tapas bar?
Surbiton Cafe, Brighton Road - my favourite Sunday hangover stop is no longer open. It looks like they might be refurbing, but I thought it was fine as it was. :-(
Comments
I suspect Maya will be a five minute wonder ! no restaurant apart from Olivio has survived that long trading from these premises. Besides there are plenty of excellent Indian restuarants around that have been going for at least the last twenty years, through the last recession and beyond.
At least two Italian restaurants that have traded over twenty years are still in operation La Terrazza & Sorrento's, so I suppose at the end of the day only the best will survive.
Best of British luck and may Surbiton continue to have restaurants that are not chain owned rubbish and completely without soul !
Well, some positive news is that I've just had my first meal in the newly refurbed Italian Taste and I was impressed. We'd been to the place in its previous guise a few times and were only ever satisfied, nothing more. The new decor is great, the food was fantastic (I'd recommend both the spicy Italian sausage and smoked mozzarella starters!!) and the service both attentive and charming. The best and possibly most surprising bit, given the current climate, was that it was packed. Not unpleasant packed, just happy, bubbly, busy packed. Suffice to say, I'd highly recommend popping along for a little, reasonably priced recession respite.
[quote=Plutus]Well, some positive news is that I've just had my first meal in the newly refurbed Italian Taste and I was impressed. We'd been to the place in its previous guise a few times and were only ever satisfied, nothing more. The new decor is great, the food was fantastic (I'd recommend both the spicy Italian sausage and smoked mozzarella starters!!) and the service both attentive and charming. The best and possibly most surprising bit, given the current climate, was that it was packed. Not unpleasant packed, just happy, bubbly, busy packed. Suffice to say, I'd highly recommend popping along for a little, reasonably priced recession respite.[/quote]
Thanks Plutus, I will visit YOUR restaurant soon
It is a sad reflection of the cynical society in which we live when people like you automatically assume that someone who has something positive to say has a vested interest. I have no financial connection to the Italian Taste, nor to Chez Julien or Surbiton Martial Arts Academy, both of which I rate highly on this website. I am simply trying to support local businesses who are making an effort to survive in tough times while trying to encourage others to do the same.
[quote=Plutus]
The new decor is great
The food was fantastic (I'd recommend both the spicy Italian sausage and smoked mozzarella starters!!)
The service both attentive and charming
The best and possibly most surprising bit, given the current climate, was that it was packed. Not unpleasant packed, just happy, bubbly, busy packed
Suffice to say, I'd highly recommend popping along for a little, reasonably priced recession respite
[/quote]
Erm right, not exactly an unbiased account of a visit to your own restaurant then !
Not a single negative notation, not even "my only suggestion would be" et-al
Like the dude who ramped-up his burger van outside Surbiton Train Station on here in an attempt to publicise his rancid burgers
So transparent
Of course my opinion is biased. It is biased by the fact that I ate at the restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Just like all businesses, restaurants succeed because of their reputation. I am trying to help an independent local business, that has invested money trying to improve itself in order to survive, by giving it a good review. I know other readers of this site, or at least those who have the courage to post with an identity other than "Anonymous", have the intelligence to take on board more than just my opinion before choosing somewhere to eat. However, this was genuinely the best meal I have had in Surbiton for quite a while. I used to go to Olivo a lot, it was good at first but went down hill. One could sense the passion for the food and for the service was no longer there. I still love Da Lucio but haven't been back since the BBC filming. Allegro is great! The owner is a great character and the food is both lovely and very reasonably priced. I've eaten at Zizzi a couple of times since it opened and thought it was pretty good. The Red Rose has provided me with some great meals. Joy some nice ones too. Yumcha used to be a big favourite of mine but, like Olivo, has unfortunately suffered from a lack of attention to detail. The Magic Wok is perfect if you want a reliable "traditional British Chinese". I was there last week and loved it. The noodle bar on St James' Road is also great if you're OK with taking your own beer and/or wine. I've bought a lot of lunches from Kalin at K's bite and he never fails to provide me with an inspired and delicious lunch. Three Peas in a Pod also does great sandwiches and excellent coffee. My better half tells me that Foodie is great too, although I've yet to go.
Suffice to say, I live in Surbiton, I eat in Surbiton, I care about Surbiton and I want people to know that the Italian Taste has improved dramatically from the average Italian restaurant it used to be!
Rather than trying to falsely accuse an innocent party of shameless self promotion, why don't you let us all know your opinions, be they good or bad, of the local businesses you have dealt with?!
[quote=Plutus]Of course my opinion is biased. It is biased by the fact that I ate at the restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.[/quote]
Just like all businesses, restaurants succeed because of their reputation. I am trying to help an independent local business, that has invested money trying to improve itself in order to survive, by giving it a good review. I know other readers of this site, or at least those who have the courage to post with an identity other than "Anonymous", have the intelligence to take on board more than just my opinion before choosing somewhere to eat. However, this was genuinely the best meal I have had in Surbiton for quite a while. I used to go to Olivo a lot, it was good at first but went down hill. One could sense the passion for the food and for the service was no longer there. I still love Da Lucio but haven't been back since the BBC filming. Allegro is great! The owner is a great character and the food is both lovely and very reasonably priced. I've eaten at Zizzi a couple of times since it opened and thought it was pretty good. The Red Rose has provided me with some great meals. Joy some nice ones too. Yumcha used to be a big favourite of mine but, like Olivo, has unfortunately suffered from a lack of attention to detail. The Magic Wok is perfect if you want a reliable "traditional British Chinese". I was there last week and loved it. The noodle bar on St James' Road is also great if you're OK with taking your own beer and/or wine. I've bought a lot of lunches from Kalin at K's bite and he never fails to provide me with an inspired and delicious lunch. Three Peas in a Pod also does great sandwiches and excellent coffee. My better half tells me that Foodie is great too, although I've yet to go.
Suffice to say, I live in Surbiton, I eat in Surbiton, I care about Surbiton and I want people to know that the Italian Taste has improved dramatically from the average Italian restaurant it used to be!
Rather than trying to falsely accuse an innocent party of shameless self promotion, why don't you let us all know your opinions, be they good or bad, of the local businesses you have dealt with?![/quote]
I/we read the reviews here before visiting this new Italian restaurant and leaved feeling very disappointed
Shame, after such positive feedback I was expecting so much more for my money in the present financial market
Wasn’t impressed, avoid
I agree, I was expecting so much more of The Italian Taste. The new decor is very nice unfortunately the food is very average and the service is not even that good. The staff couldn't even get the bill right.
There are now signs in the window of Olivo's confirming that it will become 'Maya' Indian restaurant.
Should be interesting, and they are obviously confident if they are prepared to take on two established competitors (Red Rose and Joy) that are both within 10 metres!
[quote=Anonymous]There are now signs in the window of Olivo's confirming that it will become 'Maya' Indian restaurant.
Should be interesting, and they are obviously confident if they are prepared to take on two established competitors (Red Rose and Joy) that are both within 10 metres![/quote]
This just about says it all about Surbiton
Full of useless estate agents, charity shops, boarded up properties and now another Curreeeeee ‘ouse, all within reach of the so-called exclusive [20% sold] Surbiton Plaza
I guess that with the massive Halls of Residence and a growing student population curry shops,charity shops and complacent estate agents will be amongst the only high street survivors this time round.
Yeah, there are actually a large number of us scummy students who do enjoy a fantastic Deli, who can cook as well as you can and have as much food knowledge as you can shake a stick at. If I was going to eat a curry I think I'd whip one up myself.
But it's always nice to generalised.
[quote=tweedledum]Yeah, there are actually a large number of us scummy students.[/quote]
B[filtered word], what an attitude? I don’t see any reference that’s slating students here !
Students are well catered for by the half price 'East India' restaurant a little but further away. Maya look as though it will be a Joy-type place, and probably quite expensive.
I hope that this downturn does not hit Surbiton too hard, but it appears that it has done so far. Did anyone see the Newsnight report a couple of months ago that was broadcast from Surbiton? They said that the recession would hit 'super-prosperous areas' like Surbiton and stood outside an empty shop saying 'that would have been un-heard of last year', even though that particular shop has been empty for years.
I think that this mistook Surbiton for somewhere like Esher, but a lot of the points were valid.
The Antelope on Maple Road has now also shut down
I drove past just now and it was well and truly open.
Regarding Corky's, it already closed down once but came back from the dead a few months later. Like a zombie. In fact, most of the regulars appear to be zombies. Corky's needs to stay open to keep them from shuffling down to Surbiton's decent boozers.
The Antelope? I was sure it was closed again last night. Good news if it is still open - Surbiton is starting to look like a bit of a mess with the boarded up St Marks Tavern now joining the ex-motor factor next door and the estate agent opposite. The more shops/pubs that stay open the better.
I totally agree about Corky's. Surbiton has a fairly decent population, but it does have it's share of weirdos just like anywhere else. If you don't give them somewhere to drink, you may just find them in your own favourite pub. I am grateful for Corky's, but just wish it was a bit more hidden away so I would not have to encounter the clientele on may way home from work each night!
The owner's of The Red Rose and The French Table tried to buy Olivio's last year to do a class Tapas and wine bar. The 'premium' key money was huge so they pulled out. Now it is going to be an Indian. It will be interesting to see what happens to all the estate agents (20 odd and falling) and charity shops that we are blessed with now that 'Super Gordy' has abolished business rates relief on empty commercial property. This draconian law change last year is enough to cause a recession on its own. Just imagine your council tax being £7,000 on a 1000f2 flat, having to pay to get your bins emptied and not getting a vote! If you have to close you still have to pay. Business Rates are collected by RBK, sent to Gordy and one of the smallest % in the country comes back to RBK. The Good Life!
That is interesting. I can't see an Indian lasting long in Olivio's location, though, as it is too close to the excellent Red Rose and Joy.
It would be good if the owner of the Red Rose has bought the site as it would give them the extra space that they badly need.
'Maya' opened last night, and seems quite good. Food was tasty, service not the best but will no doubt improve.
It was busy all night, Joy was empty. It will be interesting to see who wins out when the novelty has worn off.
[quote=Anonymous]That is interesting. I can't see an Indian lasting long in Olivio's location, though, as it is too close to the excellent Red Rose and Joy.
I agree but with the exception of "excellent .... Joy"[/quote]
It's take away microwaved rubbish, have you no taste buds fellow !!
[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]That is interesting. I can't see an Indian lasting long in Olivio's location, though, as it is too close to the excellent Red Rose and Joy.
I agree but with the exception of "excellent .... Joy"[/quote]
It's take away microwaved rubbish, have you no taste buds fellow !!
[/quote]
Well I love Joy. The Red Rose is OK and seems to have a huge following, but it seems rather bog standard to me.
I like them both. The Red Rose is just about the best 'old fashioned' curry that I have had.
Joy offers more of a modern flavour - There are other restaurants that do this better (not in Surbiton), but it is still great.
I think it's good that the St Mark's Tavern has closed. Surbiton needs a pub where "normal" people can go to and feel comfortable. I'd like to see Corky's close too.
I think it just highlights that you have to be good (or be prepared to bankroll your business) during times of financial crisis. There is no room for poor service and food. Take Cafe St James and the Red Rose. Both excellent and I suspect will survive.
If Corky's where to shut, the rubbsih would just move on to the better pubs like the Vic
Running any small business is tough at any time,catering especially is always a nightmare.
Labour laws,including, but not limited to crazy maternity and paternity benefits will destroy small companies,a downturn simply accelerates their demise.
Even in relatively prosperous Surbiton the costs of running a business are exceeding the revenue earnt,many are breaking even at best,its a national disaster mostly caused by Brother Brown
After driving 12000 miles through the USA over the last 2 years I can report that the americans live in a different world when it comes to the freedom of running their own businesses - unlike Soviet Britain - where everything seems closed half the time and cost so much. 24 hour diners & restaurants with superb service, low cost and top service seem standard in many parts of the US.
I think a lot of them are falling victim to the financial downturn. I am surprised that Olivo lasted as long as it did, it was every expensive compared to a lot of better Italian restaurants in the area.
Surbiton is quite well served with restaurants, and in the credit crunch, I expect that a lot of people will be eating cheaply in the chain restaurants in Kingston that all seem to have 2 for 1 offers at the moment. Strada, Zizzi, Pizza Express, GBK, Nandos, La Tasca, Ha Ha and Slug and Lettuce all have this type of offer on now and less people are prepared to pay more for the experience of going to a non-chain restaurant.
The St Marks Tavern pub also appears to have gone.