The Lavender (Clapham Road)

Unfortunately, the Lavender has now closed and the premises seem to be housing some kind of 'trendy wine bar'. Which I, at least, think is a shame.
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Anna - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Located in 24 Clapham Road, just a short walk from Oval tube, the Lavender is quite a find. With a mainly italian menu a an special board you are not likely to leave either dissapointed or hungry.

I visited last night with a group of 5 friends and had a selection of bruschetas as a starter which although could have been better with a bit of seasoning were perfect to share. Main courses consisted of 5 thin-crispy-based pizzas and a dish of spicy (is there any other kind?) chorizo sausages with mash.

Main courses were rather slow to arrive: there was a party of 10 sitting next to us and we were told that the oven can only cope with so many pizzas at any given time. The friendly and efficient staff made sure, however, that wine kept flowing while we waited. A jug of tap water was also provided (upon request) and refilled throughout the meal. Maybe the article in Metro on Friday morning had something to do with this but it makes a nice change from the usually overpriced "suggested" mineral water.

Three of us had dessert and the warm chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream was just delicious (and big enough for 2 to share).

Bill (including coffees and more wine that I care to admit) came up to £25 per person including service, which I thought was pretty good.

Overall, if you find yourself hungry in Oval, visit the Lavender. Well worth it!

Food: 3 out of 5

Service: 4 out of 5

Price: Very good value for money
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Jose Ruiz
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Sunday, November 18, 2007

My husband and I go to The Lavender quite frequently as it's one of the few places open around the Oval on a Sunday night. We always look at the board of specials, but end up having pizza - it's not that the specials (on the very few occasions we've sampled them) haven't been nice; the pizzas are just nicer. Generously topped, nicely crispy - I did once have a heinously oversalted one, but otherwise, they've always been good quality. The wine list is pretty decent too.

I'd agree, though, that the service is patchy. Sometimes it's absolutely fine, but at others the staff can be grumpy. Last time I was there I had a bit of a dither about sitting outside or not; we were going to and then nearly got our heads blown off by the wind, so decided to move inside. This was not at all well received - and I do understand that my indecision was irritating, but I don't think there was any need to show this *quite* so clearly. Having said that, on the majority of visits, the service has been fine (if slow) and we've never felt hurried to get out.
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Anna - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, August 23, 2007

I agree with the comment below. The food is excellent, the service professional but not as friebndly as you would expect in a local restaurant. They take last orders at 10.30pm but they like to get the people out as soon after 10 as possible not even offering coffee or pudding and rushing you along to finish your wine. However, its one of the best places around Oval.
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Peter Theago
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, June 11, 2007

Went here for my birthday lunch with a large group. The service was excellent, as was the food. The roast beef was fabulous!
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, April 05, 2007

I live down the road in Stockwell and my flatmates and me agree that Lavender should be a wonderful local spot for a casual dinner out. And it would be, the pizzas are delicious, the specials provide a good non-pizza alternative, and the Moltepulciano is superb, but...the service - good lord! We used to go all the time, thinking maybe, just maybe, this next time they'd remember us, or just smile.... but alas I'm ordering take out tonight b/c although the cozy room is perfect, I just can't bear being grimmaced for the surly woman at the bar and told to leave in the middle of finishing the bottle.
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Please be friendly!
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, February 03, 2007

I've been in the restaurant with my husband and the food was superb. The service was excellent. The atmosphere was great. I will recommend this place to my friends for i know that they too will enjoy the food. Compliments to the chef!
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EVANGELINE
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, October 13, 2006