Like most people, when we’re set free from our subterranean publishing prison at lunchtime we’re often at a loss for what to do. With the weather getting worse its becoming impractical to sit in Kennington Park, even if the eye candy running past is alluring. So we’re headed around the corner to revisit an old friend.
Park College is an establishment that helps young people with additional needs (primarily autism) enter the world of work. On a previous visit we saw young people gardening, repairing bikes, and working in a design space. The Coffee Shop is for folks interested in the hospitality/catering trade, and the students cook and serve all the food with the assistance of dedicated staff. This includes sandwiches, muffins, cakes, paninis and quiches. And they’re mightily proud of their hot beverages and happy to help with your selection.
With our regular lunch partner Karen from Finance still under the effects of Manjourno, her sidekick Pippa decided to plump for the special of the day, which was gnocchi with courgettes. This turned out to be a good sized serving of plain potato gnocchi with a light cream sauce flavoured which was was served with two salads alongside on the plate. Pippa found the iceberg lettuce and avocado to be a bit bland but the shredded carrot with tahini was much more interesting. After calling her an ‘ingrate’ under our breath, we reminded Pippa that its nigh impossible for find a healthy lunch for £7 in Greater Kennington.
Your much more grateful scribe had the mozzarela and sun dried tomato sandwich. Served between two salty slices of homemade focaccia bread. The tomatoes were oily and the mozzarela plentiful. It came with a quite sinister looking green smear on the side, which turned out to be lovely avocado. And just £5! There are various hot drinks available, again keenly priced, and a selection of soft drinks that focuses on juices or fizzy drinks with a natural bent – including a tasty can of sparkling apple with ginger.
The Park cafe also has an adorable giftshop selling cards, paintings, coffee mugs, and handbags made from crisp bags. Because after all, in the parallel universe in which Tesco resides, Christmas is apparently just around the corner.
