address: 65 Brixton Village Market, Coldharbour lane, London, SW9 8PS

telephone: 07919542233

emailt: Brixtoncornercopia@googlemail

http://brixtoncornercopia.co.uk/

This was a small restaurant but it has grown and grown into the surrounding shops and now has more than 30 spaces. Also acting as a deli, Cornercopia uses locally sourced products not just including buying from the market but also foraged from local allotments. Even the honey comes from South London bees although we have no idea how they can be certain they haven’t made it across the river.

We had imbibed a few cocktails in the early evening (sorry language going to Lord Peter Wimsey style) and we felt we needed some sustenance before attempting the long ten minute walk home.  Seats are outside and inside and the season is definitely here for the outside people-watching seats. Tables are sometimes a squeeze to try to get your knees around the underneath bars even for the shorter members of the group but the view is great towards the far entry to Brixton Village.

The restaurant has changed since we first reviewed it. We have been a couple of times to try out the different styles but this review is based on our choice of just three of the options a few weeks ago. Food is now meant to be shared with “racion” type servings. A couple for a whole meal may need five options but we decided to stick to three. We chose croquettes, asparagus, bean and peas, and finally ham. Everything was lovely and we would definitely return and try more of the options. I liked the broad beans which were young and on the crisp and the combination was delicious. We were a bit hazy at this point and went back to check on the menu but as it changes regularly we were still unable to tie it down. The menu today looks interesting too – goat curd and tomatoes, citrus cured sea bream and lamb shoulder. This part of the meal was £19.50 in total and we were not full so probably you do need a few more plates as they recommend.

We also ordered a bottle of wine – which I now think was overcharged by £10.00 – but it was dry and went with all the food.

The total bill was £51.75 and they added a tip BUT ….we usually say that service was with a smile but we hit a snag here. Although the service was attentive during the meal we both needed to visit the toilet  – which is the public one only a few yards from the restaurant. Our problem was that it needs 20p to enter. We thought we had found the requisite coins but it turned out one was foreign. So although one of us managed to be relieved, the other was left uncomfortable after cocktails and wine. We asked the waiter for help and it was not only not forthcoming but we felt was really dismissive ….. the result was we paid the bill but minus the tip. It left us both irritable and one of us still uncomfortable so it rather blighted the whole meal. Perhaps this post will have an impact so it will not happen to other diners. They could easily have a store of 20ps which can be added to the bill ……….. some creativity is certainly needed.