Wednesday 18 November 2009

Minor update

Thanks for the comments about the Olive Branch, it seems most people like it. We haven't been yet, but we do quite like the pizza place in Queen's Park. Talking of which, it looks like Gail's Patisserie is about to open, and the deli Salusbury is closed for another week for refurbishment. I think Queen's Park was hit quite hard by the recession, or perhaps just bad luck, in having both Baker & Spice and the place that was Pizza Teca and the Nikki Noodle closed at the same time, so it's good to see things picking up.

There's various Christmas fetes that I feel I should mention - will have to look up the details as I've forgotten them.

Anything else going on? Miros deli was closed when I passed on Tuesday so I wonder if it's gone for good? I've seen no news about 'The brasserie' on Station Terrace since the licensing application was made in August.

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Where is the pizza place in Queen's Park?

Matthew said...

It's almost at Brondesbury Park railway station at the north end of Salusbury Road.

Anonymous said...

olive branch is disgusting

Matthew said...

Perhaps you should elaborate and give a name if you feel so strongly?

Anonymous said...

Totally agree with Matthew,whoever this person is who's slandering the Olive Branch should state his reasons for rubbishing this establishment.It's a new busines trying to offer a very good service to its customers. The place seems to have its regulars, I've seen familiar faces whenever I've gone in, there is no way people would go back a second time if it was disgusting, like the person(who seems to have a grudge against them)says.

HJ said...

There's a gift shop called "Lovely..." about to open on Kilburn Lane near Ida, the Italian restaurant.

Looking forward to it - Kilburn Lane could do with some new enterprises opening up.

Jammie said...

Just saw this on facebook...

Mariaska Romanov

My son Karim, has just opened his first business, aged 19. It will open on Monday
23rd of November 2009.
We hope to see you all there for something special in great food, organic Meat, line caught fish and fruit and vegetales as well as a great fresh coffee, home made cakes and biscuits . It's nice to see a young Black ...man striking out in business in this horrendous market. Fingers crossed.
Karim is at.

Whytes Grocery. ( formerly Miros' )
112 Chamberlayne Road NW10 3JP
Tel: 0208 968 2298
open 10am - 8pm Monday - Saturday
Sunday: 10 - 5

Email: whytes.grocery@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Sounds great. If the food is good and the prices fair then I am sure he will do very well. Good luck to him.

Anonymous said...

I've been to The Olive Branch twice & plan to go back. Cafes/restaurants in KG are over priced but The Olive Branch is good food at good value.

Anonymous said...

There are some Christmas fairs listed on The Kensal Green Directory Events page:

www.kensalgreendirectory.com

Anonymous said...

Was going to try try the Olive Branch again last night but the weather said no!

Anonymous said...

Was going to try try the Olive Branch again last night but the weather said no!

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know if there is a list of clubs/activities for the kensal green area?

Anonymous said...

The young fella was in Miros today. Hope he does well.

Anonymous said...

Clubs & activities can be found on The Kensal Green Directory - www.kensalgreendirectory.com

iain said...

The corner shop close to Miro's seems to be in difficulty. They have signs saying they can't sell alcohol, even though there are stocks behind the shutters. Presumably they lost their licence.

It will be a struggle to survive losing a major source of income, and with Tesco's just up the road.

A pity if they go, as the people are friendly.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Anyone checked out The Salusbury Deli. They have the cafe area at the front now. Very American Shaker look. Opens today. Thing it will do really well like that.

Anonymous said...

let me elaborate...

the food is unimaginative and bland. i ordered pasta and got a slab of hard old pasta which had been cooked in a jar of low grade (dolmio?) sauce and then served as a bake.

it is clear that those running the olive branch don't know the first thing about how to create good quality Italian food.

the coffee was well presented and i think this is why most people are returning customers. Also there is very little choice in that section of kensal rise.

I went there because as a local resident I think it is important to support new local businesses... at least once.

I prefer the Salusbury road option.

Clare Sandling said...

We had a nice meal in the Olive Branch a few nights ago - fresh and properly cooked pasta and a pizza which was nice if a little salty, very friendly staff - will go back.

MKB always said...

I went to the Olive Branch in early Oct and had the seafood risotto and my sister the seafood pasta, both dishes were superb, will definitely go back. Went earlier this week to the Boy's Cafe on Harrow Road and didn't enjoy the starters, maybe ordered the wrong dish. However, the mains were superb and they also do deliveries, so look forward to that.

Anonymous said...

Boys Cafe is not a patch on Tong Kanom Thai further up the road. Chicken in Panden leaves and ribs to die for. Yum!

Anonymous said...

As a local in Kensal Green/Rise I have seen the new businesses shoot up of late in the area, for which I have to say is a good sign and an improvement. I can't say I'm impressed with the new nail bar on station terrace but then again I'm a bloke and would say that anyway. I'm happy to hear that what was once Brilliant Kids, which I understand is going to be a bistro-y kind of thing has now been granted their licence and will defo try them out which brings me to the Olive Branch, I have been going in there since the day it opened and have seen a massive improvement in their service and quality of food. I went in last Friday for dinner and enjoyed it greatly, having worked in catering myself for near on 30yrs, I did observe a couple of minor areas where they needed to look at, which I have mentioned and were received with grace and gratitude. Give The Olive Branch a chance, it could well be the best thing that's happened to this area.
Ray.B

Anonymous said...

To the Sir/Madame that hate The Olive Branch and doesn`t even say his name, maybe you should try Arthur`s greasy Cafe` maybe is more appropiate to your palate...you know when you eat fried chicken and chips you will not understand rafinate dishes...

Matthew said...

I think we leave off that kind of criticism, Arthur's a perfectly pleasant place.

bebebebebebebe said...

Yes I agree Matthew, can't the "anonymous" who bad mouths Arthurs see the contridiction of complaining about what the other "anonymous" says?

john said...

this new business are investing money to improve the area where we live so we all should support them and appreciate what they do

Anonymous said...

Very well said. If the person has a problem with the food then they should tell the owner or at least be constructive in the criticism.

Matthew said...

I think constructive criticism is important - local businesses are welcome but they must survive on their merits. I think we're all pleased that most of the new ones that have set up in the last two years are still around, and in many cases have improved significantly since they first opened.

Anonymous said...

Heard the black boarded shop will be an architects and Quint Fashions is to be turned into a fancy spa with a creche. One to excite the yummy mummies.

Anonymous said...

So what's the Paper Wishes shop then Matthew?

Toby said...

My girlfriend and I visited The Olive Branch last Friday and to be honest we were not happy. The Caprese salad arrived ice cold, straight from the fridge, which it had obviously been in all day. Not ones to complain we tried to eat it but it was like eating ice. We informed the staff and they were very nice about it. They brought a replacement which was exactly the same. We returned this also. My pasta was extremely salty. Most people can cook better at home. I can only presume that it is better to stick to pizza and coffee. We might try the pizza but to be honest I don't want to waste my time.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Matthew said...

I removed the post below because we really can't have personal attacks in comments.

Anonymous said...

Went to Whytes deli cafe today for the first time, Old Miro's grocery, took my kids and ate really good home cooked food, I am so happy to see new business opening, it would be a pity if our high street joined the many others with empty shops and closed business.

Whytes is that new breed of place that trys to stock a little of what you fancy and then has a great backbone of home made meals. Hope they manage to survive the current economic climate, so as the old saying goes, use em or lose em.
Try the home made cakes they are delicious.

Anonymous said...

Loving the new deli cafe at 112 chamberlayne road, can't remember the name as the sign has not changed from Miros Came home the other night wet through tired and hungry, and stopped there and bought a ready cooked meal a kind of home made take away, what a great idea, and it was delicious, using organic ingredients and has that love in the food feeling.

The staff there are really great and so helpful as I had no money on me to pay the bill, was told to pay next time, which of course I did.
Yesterday, went for an English breakfast box, bacon eggs and sausage in individual boxes to take away. loved it as you only buy what you need and I love that concept.

Steve

Anonymous said...

The New Deli is great, stop by in the morning and pick up my ready made lunch and on the bus I go.

They even reserved some food for me when I called them to say I was running late and it was all packed and waiting for me.

They seem really decent people in there and I hope that Kensal Green gets behind them and makes this business a success for the young man that owns it.

Go and use our local store and stop the empty shop syndrome that is devouring our other high streets.

Anonymous said...

Has Coluorwash shut down? All the shutters were down on Sat.

Anonymous said...

Where is the new deli everyone is talking about drove past and Miro is still there.

Anonymous said...

The new Deli is on Chamberlayne Road, it is the old Miros grocers.

It is so good and feels so right already, I am already addicted to their coffee.

Anonymous said...

Although some people seem to like it, I went to the olive branch and regretted it for a second time.

As for the person who suggested a trip to Arthur's cafe... Ha Ha Ha. You are very funny aren't you.

Having lived in Kensal Rise for twenty three years I have seen many businesses come and go and although I have only been to Arthur's once, they must be doing something right to have been here for a quarter of a century.

I hope the Olive branch improve and can last

Anonymous said...

I am very surprised that people praise Arthurs Cafe. When I went there it was very dirty, lots of left over food on the floor. This encourages mice and it makes me wonder about the state of the kitchen. The staff were friendly enough, however, when I asked them to clean the floor they only cleaned the patch we were going to sit at. Needless to say we left.