Monday 21 July 2014

Tree House Croydon -

Last night fancied a bit of a treat dinner, especially one we didn't have to cook. Over the years we have given a fair pounding to the restaurants in Croydon and sometimes it does feel a little over familiar. Anyway, there was a food festival going on down in South Croydon and warmed up by a nice pint of London Pride in the Spread Eagle we headed down before the quiz night started.

The Tree House is a pretty well established pub restaurant, only those of my generation and older will remember it as the Blue Anchor. We have had some really nice meals their in the past, I have particularly fond memories of a smoked haddock with poached egg and mash. A short menu of well prepared unfussy dishes is one of their strengths.  Last night wasn't its best though, and I am afraid that maybe it is on a bit of a downward slope. On a warm Sunday evening following a food festival we were surprised to see it was largely empty when both Brasserie Vacherin and Bugatti's were busy. The waitress was cheery and the menu looked good.

We ordered a bruschetta and a Carpaccio of beef starters. They were fine, but to be honest very very small. A cheery pile of leaves on my plate could not disguise the fact there was barely a mouthful of meat, and the Bruschetta was about the size of  half an English muffin. We were now damn glad we had ordered some sides with our main. And were even more glad as there now seemed to be a long wait for the mains to appear. This was curious as they were not exactly busy. The grilled salmon and the veggie Wellington were lovely when they arrived but it was a very long time.

We wanted to round the meal off with cheese, and the waitress assured us that one would be enough for two. I was sceptical but deferred to her judgement. I never got to find out as she returned to advise that 'the chef has told me we have no more cheese board.' By now the magic was lost and took the bill and headed home.

Its a shame the overall was just a bit slack when the food tasted good and the service was friendly.

No comments:

Post a Comment