Purple in Streatham

Purple
The High Parade
Streatham High Road
Streatham
SW16
020 8677 2277

Glancing over the post title you might be expected a letter sent to an agony aunt page but no, it’s a Waxy restaurant review.

We, Billy, my lady and I, have been living in the area for about 3 1/2 years. On the first day I visited the Waterfront (which Billy and I would very much recommend; it was a safe port if the storm of a flat without furnishing or heat) and later that night we passed by Purple on a rather grim stretch of the A23. I was intrigued by its down-home charm and meaty menu… but, as is often the case, many years came and went and still we had not taken the step to visit.

With my mother over some weeks ago we needed somewhere local, relatively cheap, and pleasant. We had been out for a full day of gallerying and were in no mood for pretensions or travels. Purple fitted the bill nicely.

We ordered whitebait to share for starters. My maternal unit worried upon a lamb’s shank, my lady on fish of some sort… I wasn’t really paying attention. Billy was hungry and that never ends well.

I politely ate around the edges of the shared starter; trying to balance the greatest quantity of aoili on each mouthful as possible. Praying that Billy would be, at least temporarily, satiated. Or at least stunned by the heady mixture of garlic and lemon.

The gamble paid off and our pig’s belly arrived. Pig belly is a dish I seldom order. I’m a slow eater (as I savour and appreciate each mouthful) and, as the layer of fat cools, the dish grows less palatable. But oh yes! Oh Yes! Billy was intent on speed. It was served well; a moist underlay of meat, a mantle of luxurious fat, all protected by a rich crust of crackling. A nice variation in both flavour and texture as I bit through.

The staff are lovely; that nice, and exceedingly rare, combination of competence, a sprinkling of deference and a ready wit. Too often competence leads to rudeness and deference to limp pretension and that way lies the dark side.

So, Purple? A hit. Main courses ranging from about six to sixteen pounds. A wide ranging menu; usually a sign of disaster but it all seemed to work out here. Warm and unassuming and sometimes that’s exactly what you want.

It’s not hard to guess why Nineteen next door, though more designed and professional in both appearance and menu, is starting to not challenge but lag behind this longlived Streatham staple.

Mint

Mint in Streatham was a very pleasing find last Saturday night. Having recently moved into the area we haven’t really had much of a chance to explore as of yet. Poor litt’ Billy’s been gnarling and gnashing indignantly.

Oddly it seems that I’ve discovered one of the best kept secrets in London, or I imagined the entire evening. As the bar fails to make an appearance on beerinthe evening, fluidstyle, viewlondon or any of my usual mainstay sites. But this looks like the only mistake the management have made as everything else is spot on.

We arrvied back from the West End after a day of serious shopping. I always find shopping for glasses or shoes stressful and, having spent hours doing both, I was in the mood for beer, and a lot of it. Thankfully Mint provided.

We popped off the 159 early to see more of our new area; full of high hopes for Streatham High Street (recently voted the worst high street in Europe). We weren’t too dissappointed spying a few places to try out again: Bar 61, Perfect Blend and Chico’s among them.

Mint is simply a nice place with nice people. The staff are attentive, chatty and quick-witted and the customers seem chilled and good-humoured. Even the security carry out their job with inobtrusive efficiency and humour.

We order a steak sandwich. Always a risky venture as you’re never quite sure what will be served up to you. Billy was delighted as the meat came as steak always should; seared, rare and bloody. The large fleshy portobello mushroom and the thin layer of strong cheddar worked a treat.

A moment should also be taken for their cocktails (happy hour from 5 til 7). The aptly named Lychee Love Machine is composed of ground fresh lychees, lemongrass, something else that I’ve entirely forgotten, vodka and topped off with cinnamon bark. It’s an interesting and varied cocktail menu, and not too pricey.

In short, Mint is something Streatham needs; somewhere with good food and service with comfortable surrounds where you can sit, chat and relax.

On a tangent, I’ve read recently that Lambeth council plan to take action against the bar as its shopfront is breaking the conservation order placed on the area. I find this startling as the street is simply ugly: plain and simple. Rows of bookmakers, takeaways and franchise stores do little to add to local character. It would be something of a disgrace if one of the few businesses to add at least something to the appearance of the high street with well-designed and welcoming front was taken to court for its efforts.

Billy:7
Eoin:8
Location: As mentioned above, this bar is impossible to find online so I don’t have an address for it. You’ll find it on Streatham High Road, opposite Streatham Hill station.