Sacro Cuore pizza

So we tried their takeaway service. I called up and they said 'it'll be ready in 5 minutes' which was a little quicker than I expected or even wanted but we were hungry so I decided to go along with it anyway.

A temporary website with menu is here.

The pizzas were, as hoped for, excellent. In fact really excellent. Quality and plentiful ingredients, and extremely tasty.

It was quite full although the outside terrace area was not being used.

I'm still a big fan of Primi in Queen's Park and think it gets a bit unfairly overlooked (and they deliver, which Sacro Cuore doesn't). But the pizzas here were brilliant and this is certainly a very welcome arrival in Kensal Rise. 

Some great comments

I've been travelling, hence lack of updates, but luckily others are doing the work for me:

28 March 2012 01:11
Anonymous said...
Harvist is being done as we speak. The windows are window-leened up. [KR adds - I saw workman in there today as well]

Some dance studio called Frame are apparently moving in the area too.

28 March 2012 07:55
Anonymous said...
Here is a link to the new Moberly. Looks like 3 floors with new shops and flats too.

http://transact.westminster.gov.uk/docstores/publications_store/sport/moberly_sports_centre_design_concepts_1.pdf

NEW THINGS!!

A commenter writes

"News a plenty.

Bread and Honey (plus un-named members bar) have bought the scummy place next to Bawarchi. One half will be restaurant.

Island is to be done up. Owned now by people who own The Warwick in Maida Vale.

Havist is to be a wood fired pizzeria (yaaaaaaay!).

Thanks "mole". "

The eyesore between the Dinner & Florist about to be no more?

Rik in the comments below:

72 and 74 chamberlayne road (the 2 derelict shops between the Diner and the florist) are about to be sold - it is currently licenced as a drinking establishment (used to be a British Legion) but it could get a licence as a restaurant.

Sale is progressing with exchange to happen soon - so says the selling Agent.

Harvist to reopen...

Thanks to the comments box, it looks like Harvist is to reopen, with an Italian theme. Sounds good as Olive Branch never really got going and its a major thing lacking in Kensal Rise.

More frequent updates

We went to Queen's Park Day, which was as fun as ever and lucky with the weather until the end (apparently it was almost called off earlier in the week).

I bumped into a number of readers of this site who were too kind to criticise the lack of posts but I feel guilty so will try harder.

Sadly not a lot to say. There's a new health centre of sorts on Wrentham Avenue, I've not tried the Caribbean restaurant on Station Parade so can't comment on that. Anything else going on?

New restaurant

There's a new Caribbean restaurant where Olive Branch used to be. Only saw from afar but its frontage looked quite nice.

Not a lot else to say, a bit of a Notting Hill Carnival shutdown this weekend, but seemed some good parties on at various pubs. I've realised I miss the Greyhound pub, never really got into the Diner and for its faults the Greyhound was a bit more pubby than the Chamberlayne.

Anything else new? No updates on the 'Waitrose'...

I'm back!!

Sorry for the lack of posting again, this time I was away on a Baltic cruise for two weeks and then on my return found my computer was not working. It's kinda fixed now.

So I see The Shop, Chamberlayne Road is open, but I've not been in. There's a mini-review here.

The large block of flats is getting finished and there was an interesting comment on one of the posts below about the council's failings with respect to providing low-cost accommodation. Also any news on the store below it?

I see Harvist remains unopened - is that for good?

There's been some library events - I see Phillip Pullman was speaking at one.

We're out and about in the Rise today so I'll update on anything new we find.

New food market at Dock Kitchen

Details are here with first Friday (24 June). http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Quint fashions

We've learnt that the above, on Chamberlayne Road, is to become a sports therapist office with treatment rooms. Not quite sure what that means but at least it will look good.

Anything else gong on? Harvist hasn't reaopened, does that mean it's not going to? Also the new apartments on Kilburn Lane/Chamberlayne are very high, aren't they? Towers over the area if you are coming from Ladbroke Grove (I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing).

Finally what used to be Miro's and is becoming a new bar has given us some more information 'Gonna be a cocktail bar with a twist! Art prints for sale and available for private hire.'

Update

Aside from the bar replacing Miro's, there's not a lot to say.

The wife says the cocktails at the Alice House are very good, and that she keeps seeing rats near Minkies.

That office near Miro's finally opened, not sure what it is, I think someone said something about an architecture firm.

The block of flats on corner of Chamberlayne and Kilburn Lane are being completed, was it going to have any shops at the bottom?

That's about it. We walked through Queen's Park the other day and noticed the paddling pool doesn't open until late May, and people were being told off for having BBQs. It all seems quite quiet.

Lucky Chip burger van

In the truely useful fashion for which this 'blog is internationally famous, my review comes as I think the Lucky Chip burger van has finished it Harrow Road/Chamberlayne Road stint, but apparently it is travelling around and will be back in May so you might see it again. The burgers were very tasty, with a lovely relish, and nice beefy burger (all sourced from the Brooks Butchers on Chamberlayne Road) and the chips were classic US diner style. In all we were very pleased with our meal from there, and it's a great idea.

Quick update

Not much to report. I see Brooks Butchers have removed their organic sign on the front, a commenter says we are going to get our first art gallery (across from the Overground station), the Italian cafe which was the organic shop is about to open, and the empty store on Chamberlayne Road opposite Wrentham Avenue is owned by the hardward store a few doors down but no information on whether its going to be something new.

New things

We noticed some new things while out and about

There's a Halal butchers next to the greengrocers by Tesco

The organic shops looks like it is about to be a cafe, although there is an advert for a hairdresser in it.

There is still work going on in shop next to the ice-cream/milkshake bar.

What do readers think about all these signs for 'save Kensal Rise library' that have been provided by an estate agent. Worthy cause, but a bit ugly perhaps?*

* See comments - apparently they made a generous donation.

An update

Apologies for the lack of updates.

So what's new? There is a fashion shop next to the Overground, "I love KR", selling desinger clothes and my wife says it's pretty good. Whether there is the market in KR I don't know.

What we believe to be a butchers is about to open opposite Minkies.

And I think that's about it.

Alice House bar in Queen's Park

I was cycling past what was the pizza place then Nikki Noodle and saw an Alice House Queen's Park advert. So I guess we have a version of the bar that is in West Hampstead. I went there once, wasn't bad.

Update

Not a lot to report really. I see there is a sign up on the plot by the corner of Chamberlayne Road and Kilburn Lane saying it's going to be flats. The pizza place by Tesco looks set to open, and the internet cafe on the bridge opposite the Overground station is closed for 'refurbishment' (rather needed by the looks of it).

We had difficulty getting breakfast on Friday morning - the new 8 Station Terrace only does cooked breakfast on weekends, and the one on College Road was on late opening hours for Easter. We did, however, that evening have sushi from Eat Sushi and I can't really recommend it enough - I have sushi about once a week and it's the best place either here or where I work I know.

Students in the Rise

The Grove magazine has a short article saying Brent council have given planning permission to the Blackstone Group to build 'plush student residences' for 300 students from Imperial College and Lamda near Kensal Rise. Anyone know where?

Update: Ah here, on Kensal road.

8 Station Terrace, Kensal Rise - a short review

We went to the new bistro-style restaurant on Station Terrace last week. We shared a cheese and leek quiche to start, followed by lamb chops with a side of greens, and for me salmon and (I think) prawn fish cakes with a tomato salad. We share an Eton Mess for dessert. To drink a diet coke and two glasses of red wine.

We thought the food was simple and well done - the quiche was exceptionally tasty and our only complaint is that it was a little overpriced - £6 for one slice of quiche - £5 would be about right. The fish cakes (£10) were just the right amount of fishy and not too much potato. "You can't go wrong with lamb chops" (£10) apparently, and they didn't. The Eton Mess (£4 - good value) was fantastic, lovely home-made tasting meringue and juicy strawberries. Both red wines were excellent. Service was friendly and not overly fussy.

Inside was nice with lots of pictures on the wall - I agree with the commentator who said the front window is a little bare, looking out as it does onto the railway side. On the other hand during the day I imagine it is nice to get so much light in.

So, minor quibbles aside, we think it is an excellent addition to the Rise - filling a large gap in the market.

New restaurant, old(ish) restaurant

As some of the commenters have noted, the brasserie on Station Terrace has opened with the useful name 8 Station Terrace. We looked in at about 5pm today (Sunday) and it was packed. The interior looked nice and the menu looked good too (I don't know if it was just for today or changes daily). A commenter noted the wine is reasonably priced by the glass (although I thought the Prosecco at 25 quid a bottle was a tad expensive). Anyway the proof will be in the pudding, and the starters etc, and so I will report back when we've been. Certainly on the face of it a very welcome addition.

We also went recently to Ida, and had a very reasonable three courses for £20 or something like that. Food was excellent, very filling and tasty.