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Sydenham's worst kept
secret is out at last - Michael and Violeta Richards - the people who turned
round the dump that was Forest Hill's Dartmouth Arms into one of South London's
finest 'Gastro Pubs' have finally taken control of Sydenham's Dolphin.
Sydenham Town has had to hold back on the news as the
tortuous negotiations dragged on over summer and the Dolphin became a sadder
place. Now the answer to the long running plea in the Town Forum for a 'Middle
Class' pub is now very near to reality as the Dolphin is transformed in time
for Christmas. At least three of Sydenham's largest pubs have been put at risk
as proprietors and management have given up. The Dolphin's leasholders did a
'runner' in March (see Michael's posting
«here»
) and it has been hanging on with a series of temporary managers.
The Dolphin occupies a strategic position near the
corner of Mayow Road and Sydenham Road and its loss would have been
catastrophic to the area. Members of the Sydenham Society and the Town Centre
Manager have worked hard to persuade someone to take a fresh look at what could
be done. The basic problem is that Sydenham is well endowed with pubs - but
many may be best described as 'drinking dens' and unattractive to a wide and
possibly growing section of the community who look with envy with the
transformation of nearby Forest Hill & East Dulwich.
A revitalised, attractive and comfortably refurbished
Dolphin with good food and fine beers will be something new for Sydenham. It
will be non-smoking and deliberately aimed at a more upmarket clientele. Is
this just for the snobs? Well the Dolphin is opposite the best of Sydenham's
traditional 'boozers' - the Golden Lion so anyone wanting a smoke and a pint
has not far to go. And next to the Golden Lion is the Pide Lahmacun Turkish
Restaurant. Despite its rather gaudy neon this redevelopment of the old
Crierion Ice Cream Parlour has a growing reputation for good food following the
loss of 'The Lokal'. Together the new Dolphin, the old Golden Lion, Pide and
the Montecassino Italian Restaurant will provide an interesting and varied way
to spend an evening eating and drinking.
Sydenham Town wishes Michael and Violeta well with the
challenging task ahead. Surely an achievable task for the man who created the
famous 'Fire Station' pub alongside Waterloo Station. Oh dear, if that was
repeated the crowds would block the High Street!
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Take a walk up to the
Dartmouth Arms (next to Forest Hill Station) and sample part of the ambience
that may be coming our way. Or for the more lazy here are some useful
links: |
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Michael & Violeta, The Golden Lion, Pide Lahmacu
and Montecassino
The map & satellite images below show the
surprisingly large garden behind The Dolphin. Something to look forward to next
summer? Zoom in and move the map with you mouse for more detail!
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