Where have you eaten out lately?

[Rosa]

We did! It was such a lovely lunch.

[Derek Nimmo]

That sounds absolutely lovely

[nineseven]

I was in Shoreditch last Saturday and it was so busy. Far more than London Bridge was a couple of days before.

[olive]

How strange! What was the first time?

On a Habitat group chat - I used to work for the Group Head Office and with the Terence Conran news today people are sharing photos of our time there and some are from my leaving lunch. The lunch ones are a lot more dignified than the drinks later that night at the Commercial Tavern.

[FiveO'Clock]

Rochelle Canteen looks really lovely. It's made me do a search for somewhere nice here with outdoor seating to have a dinner out before the weather turns and it will only be Impossible burgers from the Burger King drive through and take away pizza.

[Ella]

It’s so nice to know you’ve all been there .

Good idea, Five.

I used to love a trip to Habitat and Heal’s on TCR.

[Ella]

I went to Rovi for lunch today. It was utterly packed so we sat outside, so it wasn’t quite the full experience. Really delicious food and cocktails though. The service was as mildly attitudinal as ever .

[Ella]

It's been a while!

Yesterday evening we went to Rochelle Canteen again. I was worried I'd be a twitchy mess not fit to be released into society, but it was really nice. They have a newish structure to keep the rain off, but there was lots of airflow and nobody sitting near us, and it was such a treat to be out again. The food was delicious, obviously.

[Derek Nimmo]

It is genuinely lovely to be out and about when you're somewhere that you feel is taking precautions seriously. I've been out a few times already, but only two new places, both of which were excellent - Morley's bistro in Hurstpierpoint (amazing calamari and monkfish curry) and Dean's Place in Alfriston. Both with lovely spaced out gardens and service.

It's just so nice to relax and people-watch again.

[Ella]

It is, although we were slightly playing "Spot who also hasn't been out much lately". There was one woman who seemed very weirded out (and maybe I did too!)

[smalex]

Sounds really lovely Ella.

It's just so nice to relax and people-watch again.

We've only been out once so far but I spent the whole evening agog at two women having a catch up. Which sounds really weird but I loved watching them having a fag and a bottle of wine and a big chat.

[Derek Nimmo]

Doesn't sound weird at all! Watching a return to some kind of normality is comforting and exciting all at once.

[smalex]

It was hypnotic almost.

[Flora Poste]

Sounds really good and it is nice when they take it seriously. Mr P and I managed to get a very last minute table for lunch at Llewelyns in Herne Hill a couple of weeks ago (so last minute I didn't have time to change out of my athleisure wear ) and it was really lovely - they've taken over part of the square outside the station and it felt very European and I was very happy people watching!

[Rosa]

I love reading about these meals out!

They've pedestrianised the road outside Brockley Station, so where there was once cars there's now tables and chairs. It's given a real boost to the bar/restaurant and cafe/coffeeshops there, and perfect for people watching

We're going for a drink at our favourite local bar later. It's quite small with limited outside space, and I'm so pleased they've fitted us in.

[Pippedydeadeye]

I hope some of the outdoor dining remains when we’re allowed back inside because it has felt quite continental & nice.

When we went out for my birthday I was watching two other groups like you Smal. There was a group of teenage girls with an uncomfortable mum chaperoning, and a group of three women all dressed up and drinking wine.

[Ella]

I will still want to eat outside for a while, I reckon. I've emailed the place I've got my next reservation with to ask them specifically to put us outside.

I'd love a local bar with outside space, rosa! How lovely. It looks like a nice day for it.

[sally maclennane]

I bloody hate outdoor eating, possibly due to living in the frozen North but there are so few places that really lend themselves to it. I know there are health benefits to it in the pandemic situation but otherwise its cold, windy, and noisy

[Ella]

This is in a walled garden so there's no noise other than birdsong, but I agree about the cold!

[smalex]

It has been bitterly cold for outdoor dining. I do like it on a nice day though.