George of Greenwich
Nelson Road, SE10
I don't know whether anyone else has seen the latest Time Out Guide to Greenwich & Docklands (2007) but I suffered a serious double-take when I looked at Page 4, where it has listed, just below Greenwich Royal Park, George of Greenwich as Number Two in their list of Top Ten Things to Do.
Was I missing something? "Upmarket deli sells cheese, wine, ham, pate and speciality olive oil." Sorry? Are we talking about the same place here? "They also bake daily." You what?
The last time I went into George of Greenwich it hardly justified the title of delicatessen at all, let alone the Number Two Thing To Do in this most exciting of London regions. It was most definitely "crappest deli in town." I would even give it first prize for "most overpriced," or "least well-stocked" - but this was on a page which listed The Fan Museum, The Cutty Sark and The Royal Observatory as lower than this supposed paragon of foodie heaven.
Convinced I had missed something, I vowed not to write about this until I had tested it out for myself again, in case I'd made some terrible mistake.
It was worse than I had thought. George of Greenwich is now just another frontage to that restaurant equivalent of urban sprawl, the erstwhile interesting Bar du Musee. I went right inside to the back in case the deli-goods were hidden somewhere and I can confirm that the only things on George's shelves are rows and rows of packets of crisps. There are one or two soft drinks in chiller cabinets and, er, that's it. It's just a very dull coffee shop now, which opens at the back into the extended Bar du Musee. There are clattery little tables and bar stools at the front, a dark, gloomy area between the two premises at the back with some leaflets and estate agents' magazines, and glass-covered fridges with sandwich ingredients and ice cream for the odd snack. The coffee is average, but not aimed at the likes of us. This is very definitely For The Tourists.
In case you'd harboured any hopes that the little antiques shop in between the two, Walpoles, was going to survive this onslaught, forget it. The premises are now all knocked into one big mass, with ex-Walpoles in the middle, kitted out with a few leather squashy sofas and some pictures. It's truly depressing.
One thing more. A small notice in the corner of Bar du Musee's window declares an application to expand at the back. How? Where's it going to go? They apparently want to extend the glass bit over the open courtyard AND expand - presumably over the flower beds - there can't be anything else left. I daresay it will happen.
Perhaps Time Out should get people who actually KNOW Greenwich to write lists of things to do here. Even the most cursory glance into George of Greenwich would tell you this is not the greatest deli in the world - or even, in fact, a deli at all...
Tut.
Just for a laugh, check out George's website and see if you recognise ANY similarities between it and the shop itself.
www.georgeofgreenwich.com
I don't know whether anyone else has seen the latest Time Out Guide to Greenwich & Docklands (2007) but I suffered a serious double-take when I looked at Page 4, where it has listed, just below Greenwich Royal Park, George of Greenwich as Number Two in their list of Top Ten Things to Do.
Was I missing something? "Upmarket deli sells cheese, wine, ham, pate and speciality olive oil." Sorry? Are we talking about the same place here? "They also bake daily." You what?
The last time I went into George of Greenwich it hardly justified the title of delicatessen at all, let alone the Number Two Thing To Do in this most exciting of London regions. It was most definitely "crappest deli in town." I would even give it first prize for "most overpriced," or "least well-stocked" - but this was on a page which listed The Fan Museum, The Cutty Sark and The Royal Observatory as lower than this supposed paragon of foodie heaven.
Convinced I had missed something, I vowed not to write about this until I had tested it out for myself again, in case I'd made some terrible mistake.
It was worse than I had thought. George of Greenwich is now just another frontage to that restaurant equivalent of urban sprawl, the erstwhile interesting Bar du Musee. I went right inside to the back in case the deli-goods were hidden somewhere and I can confirm that the only things on George's shelves are rows and rows of packets of crisps. There are one or two soft drinks in chiller cabinets and, er, that's it. It's just a very dull coffee shop now, which opens at the back into the extended Bar du Musee. There are clattery little tables and bar stools at the front, a dark, gloomy area between the two premises at the back with some leaflets and estate agents' magazines, and glass-covered fridges with sandwich ingredients and ice cream for the odd snack. The coffee is average, but not aimed at the likes of us. This is very definitely For The Tourists.
In case you'd harboured any hopes that the little antiques shop in between the two, Walpoles, was going to survive this onslaught, forget it. The premises are now all knocked into one big mass, with ex-Walpoles in the middle, kitted out with a few leather squashy sofas and some pictures. It's truly depressing.
One thing more. A small notice in the corner of Bar du Musee's window declares an application to expand at the back. How? Where's it going to go? They apparently want to extend the glass bit over the open courtyard AND expand - presumably over the flower beds - there can't be anything else left. I daresay it will happen.
Perhaps Time Out should get people who actually KNOW Greenwich to write lists of things to do here. Even the most cursory glance into George of Greenwich would tell you this is not the greatest deli in the world - or even, in fact, a deli at all...
Tut.
Just for a laugh, check out George's website and see if you recognise ANY similarities between it and the shop itself.
www.georgeofgreenwich.com
Labels: Eating Out
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
08:33
10 Comments:
I have spent many of my more unkempt mornings stridently requesting to see George`s hamper selection while dressed as a Tom Waits-style faux hobo. Hours of fun.
I went in a few months back to have a muffin with my daughter. It was the driest, most depressing chocolate muffin ever made. Expensive too. What an utter waste.
Tee hee, Mr Anonymous. I hope you smelled of piss too...
Andrekabu - I took one look at what few sad food items they had and stuck to coffee - for research purposes only.
But see today for a totally different experience.
We had a coffees, a brie and sundried tomato baguette and a buttercream and jam sponge cake there last week and although it wasn't the best I ever had it wasn't too bad either.
The decor isn't to everyone's taste I suppose and I agree that if you expect a continental style deli you will probably be disappointed.
Haven't tried the restaurant at the back but the menu looked fairly accomplished and the varied range of people visiting was a positive factor.
I'd give it 7/10.
Matt
A Frank the Yank joint too, so definitely for tourists only.
Well I quite like it; mainly because
1) It's not Starbucks
2) I only order coffee
3) There's always somewhere to sit
If value and decent cakes are required then head for the rustic charm of Royal Teas on Royal Hill. It’s a bit chaotic and smells slightly greasy at lunchtimes but the staff are always friendly and at £1.20 for a decent-sized mug, surely the cheapest latte in Greenwich. Serves generous portions of sponge cakes too.
You couldnt get me back there if you paid me. The wait staff were all so rude and sour, did not smile and were too preoccupied eating the food out the back to notice customers waiting for their attention. The food was very average and dry.
Glad you like it Ged. It's not my cup of tea (well, coffee, anyway) but that's not to say that it doesn't appeal to anyone. I WILL be doin gmy review of Royal Teas soon, honest - I just have a backlog of a) things to write up and b) 'proper work' to do.
Happy tea/coffee drinking folks, wherever you enjoy it...
Regarding the expansion of Bar du Musee. I believe that Frank has acquired the Food Court behind the restaurant and is expanding backwards into this area. How much more of Greenwich can he possibly want?
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