Winter Interest

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Kennington Runoff

It’s a bit unorthodox to be writing about gardens in the bleak midwinter, but we all need a bit of greenery in our lives, especially when the sky matches the grey Kennington pavements.

Harleyford Road Community Garden in Vauxhall wsd created by the demolition of a terrace of Georgian properties in the 1970’s which featured inordinately large front gardens. In 1984 the progressive residents of nearby Bonnington Square agreed to work in partnership with Lambeth to turn the site into a place of quiet refuge amongst the nearby smog and snarl.

The arboreal product of the partnership created 36 years ago persists to this day, and even in winter offers a great place for the public to stroll, eat a sandwich, reflect, or just experience an element of silence. The garden is divided into several different areas and includes a children’s play area, lawns, benches, picnic areas, and a mossy green pond. It prides itself on being the only accessible wildlife site in the area.

The Garden is still maintained by volunteers from Bonnington Square, and it without question possesses the quirky, ‘planty’. and independent aesthetic of the Square. This is evident in the mosaic wall and paving stones implanted with chipped china and rocks. In reality the entire layout of the Gardens are the masterwork of Bonnington residents, and well done.

With no small amount of surreal irony our quiet, pastoral refuge is sponsored by the rather notorious nightclub ‘Fire’. As intrepid and responsible local journalists we approached Runoff management about getting to the bottom of this relationship (in a strictly professional capacity of course) by actually going to Fire at 3am last Saturday. We were rapidly rebuked and informed that this would be ‘inappropriate’ and ‘compromise the ethos of the site’. Well lets see about that and watch this space.

The Gardens are very kid friendly and also placid and safe for people on their own who seek solace and serenity. Enjoy!

Longdan Supermarket…Our Local Asian Superstore

Posted on January 3, 2020 by Kennington Runoff

If it isn’t on your gerbil trail then you’ve probably missed a very unique place at the top of Walworth Road called ‘Longdan’. Longdan is a pan Asian supermarket with a very tasty Vietnamese street food restaurant attached called ‘Aobaba’.

We know that some of you sit up at night wondering just where you can source dried lotus seeds and 50 kilo sacks of jasmine rice. Well, now you’re in luck. Longdan specialises in hard to find products from Japan, Vietnam, China, Thailand and Malaysia, among other places. The hard to find products are perfect if you are feeling inventive, want a bit of culinary inspiration, or just want a browse. For the cautious sorts much of their fresh exotic goods are sold frozen and can be kept for the long haul.

One thing Longdan does very well is condiments (and who among us doesn’t favour a nice condiment?) and you can bag a range of soy and chili sauces, bean curd, stir fry mixes, and good old fashioned Siriracha. Recently we bought banana leaves to remind us of the time we were in Kolkata (oops, better pick up that name we just dropped!) in a sad effort to resurrect our curry meal there. Having said that, our favourite bit is at the back, where they sell a variety of Asian kitchen products which are largely impractical for western chefs but a great way to make you feel like a cooking pro.

As for Aobaba, it offers cheap and delicious Vietnamese fare to eat in or take away. In the past we’ve enjoyed summer rolls, Banh Mi (baguettes), grilled pork and beef noodles. At the time of writing they didn’t do Pho, but our capital certainly isn’t lacking in those joints…

So, if your gerbil trail leads inexorably to our depressing ‘Shipping Container Tesco’ then try moving in another direction for a bit of a culinary challenge. Cabbage roots, anyone?

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I Due Amici for a Change

Posted on December 26, 2019 by Kennington Runoff

On Christmas Eve we experienced an existential crisis as Loose Women wasn’t on, so we decided to fill the gaping Northern Line Extentsion sized hole in our lives by exploring the lunch items at local institution I Due Amici. We’re also aware that our annual ‘top ten restaurants of Kennington’ posts are coming up* and we need to make up for lost time by stuffing our faces.

I Due Amici is owned by the unflappable Houman Meskati, who also owns ‘Amici’ and the gone but not forgotten Persian/Vodka joint ‘Doost’. As Houman is himself Persian we decided to get our chops into Due Amici’s Persian stews, which are definitely the best things on the menu. Your intrepid writer had the khoresh ghormeh (number 1) which consisted of lamb, kidney beans, and fresh coriander. Served with basmati rice, the lamb was very slow cooked and virtually fell off my fork. The seasoning was a bit off but a good balance of other herbs were present, including fenugreek.

My dining partner noshed on the khoresh gheymeh (number 3) which was also less slow cooked lamb but also with potatoes `and split peas. It had a nice thick, split pea yellow consistently with some interesting herbs in the mix.

While not quite up to the Persian standards of Doost, the stews offer a real variety in central Kennington that is needed in terms of lunches. Due Amici also has your standard fare of sandwiches, salads, vegan food and even, bizarrely, burritos. It is at 310 Kennington Road.

*shameless plug.

Northern Line Extension

Posted on December 22, 2019 by Kennington Runoff

We don’t usually undertake ‘Public Service Announcements’ on the Runoff because A) they’re boring and B) It doesn’t fit neatly into our self ordained role as ‘purveyors of local infotainment’. But what the hell, it’s Christmas and we’re feeling generous. If you’re wondering about the status of that giant concrete hole in the middle of Kennington then all you need to know is below Screenshot 2019-12-22 at 18.15.28

Meet the Locals 2 – Caroline Butler of Earl of Bedlam

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Kennington Runoff

Last week we were invited into the verdant, sartorial wonderland that is fashion house ‘Earl of Bedlam’ to have a mint tea and chat with its founder Caroline Butler. In addition to being a Kennington based designer, she is also the bona fide Doynne of Kennington*, having lived in our hallowed patch for over 40 years.

We have to admit that we don’t know a great deal about fashion. In fact, someone once referred to a male member of the KR team as ‘the muse of Blue Harbour at M&S’. Whatever. Amongst the vast array of mannequins, needles, swatches and swag , Caroline explained that she and partner Mark specialise in bespoke suits for both men and women and have been inspired by the music, club life and characters of their past. Caroline emphasised that the suits aren’t intended to shock, and are rather ‘less showy and more about turning heads’; she used the evocative phrase ‘think Gangs of New York meets Oliver Twist’. Their made to measure wear, Caroline continued, is totally bespoke so it doesn’t come cheap, but is 1/3 the cost of Saville Row.

For those of us not quite in the price bracket to swing a bespoke suit, the Earl also sell scarves and a range of T-shirts and knitwear. A number of these pieces are inspired by their dog Brian, and a canine sensibility permeates this work.

The amount of local good deeds that Caroline and Mark engage in seem limitless, and includes the dog show at Lambeth Palace (which we wrote about over the summer), clothing the staff at the Three Stags Pub, and initiating a campaign to have a local information stall or stone permanently placed in front of St. Anselm’s (we’ll write about this next month). They are also a perennial presence at the Cleaver Square Fete.

Any person who’s lived here for 40 years must be brimming with local recommendations, so I asked Caroline where the Earls go when the needles come down. They have an affection for often missed Indian joint ‘Ishtak’ in Kennington Road, The Kennington Coffee Shop, Windmill Fish Bar (apparently it’s cool again), Windmill Flowers and the Three Stags. In addition to talks at Durning Library.

Viva Earl of Bedlam, and may you long reign over the Kingdom of Kennington!

*There are several people at KR Towers also vying for the title of ‘Doynne’ who might throw us under the #3 bus if they find out we’ve given it to somebody else.

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Meet the Locals 1 – James Gill of ABC

Posted on December 8, 2019 by Kennington Runoff

Recently we had a nice chin wag with comedian and overall ‘fun guy’ James Gill about his Thursday comedy night, Always Be Comedy, at the Tommyfield in central Kennington. For the uninitiated, ABC features some established comics (last Thursday we saw Marcus Brigstocke and the crap evidence is below) with up and coming folks. Once you recover from the crowd resembling a giant reunion of contestants from ‘The Apprentice’ it’s a nice place to unwind and have a giggle at this most stressful time of year.

KR – How long has ABC been running and what inspired you to start it?

James – Oh my gosh! It’s been more than EIGHT YEARS. I started it with two former housemates: Stuart Keeping and Paul Vale.. So I’m the last man standing. Christ. This is how The Sugababes must feel. Why did we start? I still have no idea whatsoever. I think it was so I could learn how to MC. But I’m guessing. I have no idea. If you ever find out, please will you tell me?

KR – What makes a good audience member? And what about a bad audience member?

James – A good audience member is someone who laughs. At the right times, obviously. If they’re just sat laughing all night, before the show, at the set-ups and through the breaks, then they may be unwell, and I now feel genuinely sorry for this fictional person in my head. A bad audience member. Oh, the person who has turned up to actively have a shit night: arms folded and a general aura that says, “Yeah, well what have you got?” I try to spot them early on and ask them to unfold their arms as they’ll have a much nicer experience.

KR – Can you tell us a bit about the games you play before the show and during the break?

James – Yes! Absolutely. It feels like we used to play a lot more weird and wonderful games, and perhaps I was personally hiding behind the games. So I try to be a lot more man-and-a-mic these days, with the games a lot more pared back. That’s because I MC and do telly warm-up a lot elsewhere, and it wasn’t realistic carrying a bag full of props to, say, Leeds. I do sometimes miss the ridiculous games – especially the Nerf-related games. Maybe it’s time to resurrect the Nerf. You can never have a Nerf… I am SO sorry.

KR – What can punters expect to see in 2020?

James- Lots of shows are booked already. So from late summer into autumn, we’ve got Sara Pascoe, Rachel Parris, Ivo Graham, Iain Stirling, Ellie Taylor and heaps more. And perhaps a bit more Nerf. Have I gone on a bit too long? I feel a Nerf is a Nerf… Again, so sorry. Thank you so much for the chat and hopefully we’ll see a lot more local faces at future gigs. And, again, if you know why we started the gig, be sure to come over and have a chat with me.

Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Free Pastis

Posted on December 1, 2019 by Kennington Runoff

Two upcoming free, fun events in Vauxhall and Walworth to sink our little SE11 (and 17 and 1) teeth into to get us into the Christmas spirits, folks! Tomorrow night (Monday) London’s Night Czar and all around good egg Amy Lame will be switching on the lights of the Vauxhall Christmas tree at around 6pm with a little help from a serenading London Gay Men’s Chorus. And you know how we get about freebies, there will be free (no way) pastel de nada (Portugese custard tarts..stick with us) and hot chocolate provided by our friends at Maderia Cafe in Vauxhall… Don’t be late!

We often have ‘London Guilt’ about not finding time for the great bi annual events at Pullen’s Yard over in Walworth, but this year we’ll be all over it like a Berkeley Homes bulldozer with planning permission. Pullens Yard is an artistic enclave of 60 artist studios set in a Victorian cobbled mews. Over the next week they will be flinging their doors open to show what they do and will have a variety of art and objects to sell. But will there be free tarts, I ask you? If not, our friends at cool The Electric Elephant will feed ya. Details below….

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Kuma Restaurant Opens in Kennington

Posted on November 24, 2019 by Kennington Runoff

We’ve been waiting for this new Japanese/Korean joint to open almost all log as we waited for The Great Pong of Kennington Tube to subside. We were rewarded when it opened to the public yesterday (23 Nov) in the space that used to the ‘Doost’ and tonight we made a visit. It is a great stop if you fancy variety in your east Asian food and features bento, kimchi, BBQ, bibimbap, and some sushi. They also have plenty of wines and beers.

At first we had a mild hesitation that Kuma was going to feature fusion cuisine (imagine the horror of kimchi sushi) but were assuaged when the menu featured a distinction between it’s Korean and Japanese fare. The vibe was young, casual, and the lighting was on the bright side of acceptable. The timing of the food wasn’t great but you except this in a place open for two days,

My dining partner had the tonkotsu bento box, with the main feature being breaded pork katsu. Said partner would have liked a bit more slop of the tangy sauce but it was very well proportioned and the sauce even managed to make the bean sprouts better than usual.

I had prawn gyoza which were grilled well and had definitely not had part of their lives wasted by a freezer. I then had the chicken bulgogi (say it like a pro…..Boo-GOH-gee) which are very thin strips of meat grilled on a BBQ. The chicken had a very good sauce and featured spring onion. It was billed as ‘hot’ and it certainly was. And so generous that I couldn’t finish it.

Earlier this year we reviewed Korean Place Daebak and the now well established Japanese place Taro. I think Daebak takes its fare a bit more seriously and Taro is a kind of Japanese sushi ‘canteen’ and can’t really be compared. I went downstairs to go to the toilet and ‘accidentally’ walked into the kitchen. I could not see any sign of sous chef Mike(rowave) and it appeared that everything was made on site. The bill, with four beers, came to £50 which was reasonable. When the bill came we tried to pull the ‘but we’re Kennington INFLUENCERS’ trick, but they were having none of it.

Uptown KenVo

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Kennington Runoff

From this moment forward the Runoff will be referring to the patch of our terrain between Kennington Cross and Vauxhall as ‘Uptown KenVo’ due to the volume of high rises going up in the area. This afternoon we attended a consultation about a new development proposed (which means, it’s gonna happen) in Montford Place next to the gin distillery. For the observant sorts, we wrote about this plot of land in May as it used to be a pickle factory and was laterally used as a bottling site for Beefeater. Since it was purchased by TfL for the northern line extension in 2013 it has been the site of gravel and lorries…But not for much longer!

Developers Grainger Plc recently purchased the site and are in the early consultation stages of developing the site into two buildings. They aren’t as far along as development of the Applegreen site, but they could confirm that there will be two buildings, one 8 floors and the other 12 floors, with 140 flats. Of these 40% will be affordable housing and most will be studios and one bedroom flats, with building to start in 2021. We were told that the buildings will have the ‘look and feel’ of the homes on the Tesco site, which we assume was meant to be positive. The architect illustrated how the buildings will look by means of playing ‘Jenga’ to entertained onlookers and his efforts are below.

There will be a kind of ‘avenue’ between the buildings and Lambeth have stipulated that the shop fronts at ground level be dedicated to businesses which are not retail and reflect the demographic of people who might live in the residences, such as workspaces. While this is very laudable, the counter argument is that it deprives Kenningtonians of places where they can go in the evening, such as restaurants or microbreweries, and will be closed by 6pm. We love a lively KV debate, so if you agree or think we are bonkers feel free to leave your comments below.

If you are curious or just bored the consultation is will be taking place again on Saturday, 23 Nov. from 10-4 at Kennington Park Community Centre in Harleyford Road. I’m sure the architect will be on hand to play Jenga if you fancy a twirl.

Playing Happy Families

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Kennington Runoff

We don’t really review enough (ok, ever) lunchtime venues in Greater Kennington which is a shame, given the rapid ascendency of the Edinburgh House Workspace, Vox Studios, and Kennington Park Workspace. Yesterday we had a very tight deadline to meet ~~before Loose Women started~~ at 12:30 so we decided to pop along at lunchtime to the Kennington Chinese place ‘Happy Family’.

In spite of it’s name, the ‘maitre de’ of Happy Family is a gruff white guy who doesn’t take kindly to the modern concept of debit/credit cards (but over 8 quid is ok). Cash in hand, we have been a few times and indulged in their Vietnamese duck Banh My Pho (a Vietnamese baguette) which is heavy on the duck and sauce and at £4.80 is a very good alternative to the Tesco Meal Deal, which we have never *coughs* tried.

On this trip we sunk our teeth into Happy Family’s lunchtime special which was sweet and sour chicken with rice. The meat to veg ratio was generous and the service was very quick. The meat was also well cooked and the texture didn’t possess the gelatinous quality of many other sweet and sour dishes.

If you live in Greater Kennington then you probably know Happy Family from it’s takeaways, which they have been doing since the dawn of time. While it is OK, we still prefer to cough up a few more bob for Firecracker, in Windmill Row, which has a more creative menu. Happy eating!