Couple of things

1. I noticed that the cafe Gracelands on College Road is to be shut on various days in June (I think it was) to film The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, a trailer of which was filmed there last year.

2. I noticed whilst looking up at the school on Chamberlayne Road/Okehampton Road tht it has made in the brickwork 'Chamerlayne Wood Road'. So is this an earlier name for Chamberlayne Road?

Verandah/Eulabee relanch party!

See here, not sure if you need a Facebook account or not.

Otherwise Wednesday May 26: 6:30 to 9:00pm, 116 College Road, Kensal Green, London NW10 5HD

Please come and help us celebrate!

Following the enormously successful 8 months of trading that we have experienced since opening our second shop on Chamberlayne Road, Simone and Penny have expanded their College Road shop and now have the space to showcase lots more fabulous finds. From amazing vintage furniture and unique, hand-made jewellery to ridiculously low-priced vintage and archive clothing, beautiful house and homewares, right through to pocket-money goodies for the children. A delightful treasure trove with something for everyone in this stunning store, right in your neighburhood!

We're throwing open the doors on Wednesday evening and would love to have a glass or two of champagne with you whilst you browse our latest stock and admire the transformation of the shop. We're very proud of what we've achieved and hope you will love it as much as we do. Look forward to seeing you there!

Lali

Article on Kensal Rise clothes shop, Lali.

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.