Pistachios, Hilly Fields
Pistachios is the new cafe in Hilly Fields, which opened earlier this month. Although there are still a few finishing touches to complete, it's fully operational.
Despite being perched at the highest point in the park, it's position nestled inside a grove means that it does not get huge amounts of natural light, despite the front section being covered in glass. Built on the site of the old toilet block, it made use of the old structure, which we thought would make it feel cramped, but it's actually pretty spacious. Although it will do its most brisk trade during the summer, it should actually come in to its own in cooler weather, when it will feel like a cosy retreat.
For an area spoiled by the likes of Browns, Oscar's and the Brockley Mess, the food might be a little pedestrian for some, but it offers exactly what it needs to - decent, reasonably-priced food, with a menu to suit all tastes and a comfortable place to sit during a day at the park. The ice cream was delicious and the sandwiches were well stacked.
This is a great addition to the park, which already looks busy every time we pass.
55 comments:
And the coffee is lovely.
"For an area spoiled by the likes of Browns, Oscar's and the Brockley Mess"
So no mention of Top Chef again, then?
The coffee is lovely...but please finish the cafe. There are two mounds of dug up earth outside and a big pile of timber inside which really looks untidy. Its an hours work to shift it and tidy up.
But Im very happy we have a cafe.
So so average. Not a huge surprise - I would imagine the overheads account for the high food/snack prices - and the choice at the moment is very limited. I can't see it improving into much else than a place for coffee when Brockley Rd feels too far a walk.
All very so-so, but serves more of a purpose than the constantly locked toilet used to.
Pleasantly surprised by it last week.
Lovely coffee vg carrot cake and all good value.
Cosmetics need work to be safe for little ones though.
Prices look very reasonable actually, not sure what you were expecting. You want quality like browns at top chef prices? Looks spot on to me. A urban park without a cafe is missing a trick. Sunday papers, cup of tea and a slice of cake. Can't wait, and so much better than the frankly bizarre idea of a "fine dining" restaurant that someone was laying for.
Looks nice apart form the mounds of earth.
Does it have a living roof?
I hope this place survives being in such an unusual position. Will it be open all year round or just in the summer?
Yes, the living roof looks pretty cool. I believe it will be open all year round, which makes sense. Hilly Fields is well used all year round and who wouldn't want to stop off there for a cup of tea on a cold day?
also aesthetically not bad at all.
Absolutely delighted to have this cafe in the park. Hilly fields was not the same without somewhere to get refreshments. Larger latte's please.
Best of luck with Pistachios as a business venture - hope it is successful and thrives for years and years.
I visited on their opening day when they had the chaos of the (poorly organised) Brockley Max Animal Carnival on their doorstep. I thought they were coping brilliantly. I agree they need to get it finished asap (some of the jobs shouldnt take too long out of opening hours to sort out). Did they manage to get the high chairs? They didnt have any in yet when I visited which was a massive oversight given the local tea and cake market!
Great news!
I look forward to sitting there after the morning jugging with a cuppa and a slice of cake OR even a mighty breakfast time permitting!
I had a delicious- but very very small icecream there this week. Looking forward tO trying out a sandwich. What a wonderful addition to my favourite park.
I was there when you were taking the photos Nick and I can honestly say my visit to the cafe really made my day.
The food is fairly ordinary but also pretty cheap. But being able to sit in the park having something to eat away from the hustle and bustle of Ladywell Road (or Brockley if that's where you're coming from) was to my mind a real treat.
I expect to visit it far more frequently than any other cafe in the area.
Shame the ice cream is from the West Country. I'm sure they could've found a supplier in Kent.
I was hoping for beer too... but figured it might be more hassle than it is worth.
Anyone no either way?
Does anyone know if dogs are allowed inside? Or if there's a serving hatch to outside if not?
Dogs on leads can go in.
In the original plans there was supposed to be an outside serving hatch - particularly useful for dog walkers - anyone got any idea if this is still going ahead?
EXCELLENT! I'm really pleased- there are so many dog walkers up there it's a very good business decision for them too!
I was only just up at the cafe buying two ice creams for the kids and it all looks great.
I do agree with earlier comments about the stack of wood inside as my son started to pull some of it over.
Tell your son to stop doing it then?! Do you by any chance frequent the Brockley Mess with little Fabian?
Idiotic comment
Another vote for the reasonably priced coffee. Almost as good as Brown's.
yeah i thought the coffee was great, the sandwich was crap. one of the neighbours said it looks ready for a bonfire.
I had a post-run coffee there on Saturday morning - perfect start to the day.
It looks as though the hatch is work in progress, and there was a dog inside when I went in, though it was with someone in the queue rather than sitting at a table.
this is not the highest point in the park, that spot is marked by a concrete obelisk some yards in the direction of ladywell
Ahh - I beg to differ. The concrete post is just a trig point not necessarily the highest point - its not to mark the highest point but to act as a map reference
It is really reasonable compared to other park cafes. Coffee good and they made my little girl a foamy babyccino type thing for free. Agree re the landscaping outside. Desperately needs levelling out. Also agree that sitting having a coffee outside up there away from any traffic/roads was utter bliss.
Popped up the other morning, all very nice with a great atmosphere and I'd say the coffee is better than Browns!
the ice cream is delicious
Opening times?
The guy buying the coffee has a great ass!!!
this is so so charming, I'm absolutely loving it, so in keeping with the area, delicious - it reflects my own sense of style right down to the little crinkly paper they keep their cupcakes in - oh god, I am so in love with this place
it's for moi, moi, moi
Blimey anon, do you know the owners??! I must say that the coffee is very good (not as good as Browns/Dark Fluids but very good). It's a great place for a coffee and cake. The sandwiches are a little ordinary but fairly priced and I wasn't expecting anything more, given that they don't really have a proper kitchen. Great. My nearest coffee place, so I don't know why people are wondering whether it will only open in summer - I will go there specifically for a coffee because it's close to me, and this must be the case for lots of other people.
I live within 2 minutes of the cafe, I will not go there because my kitchen offers cheaper coffee and I can drink it whilst sitting at my table, in a state of slight undress, and continue designing tasteful shopfronts for the conservation area
The first photo of the cafe in the park looks fantastic, a great spot in Brockley.
Are there toilet facilities in the park now then?
The toilet has been open for months - never really shut
Lady Honest rides into Hilly Fields, well done guys!
Do they do Special Brew on offer? If they don't then I'm not going.
Lovely owners, nice nice touches, great coffee. Such a different clientele to Browns and they pull it off well. Having worked so hard to open they still have things to do but based on what they have done it will be lovely. Well thought through especially the green roof. So very happy it is different to Manor Park, and Brockley, nice to have a choice it is Ladywell through and through FAB.
The Hilly Fields Fayre is on today!
I really want to like this place, and I do like:
- the coffee;
- the cakes.
I don't like:
- the inconsistent pricing / charging / ability to use the till (?);
- the fact that some staff think it's more important to finish their conversation than to serve customers straight away;
- the fact that staff preferences come before customers' re ventilation / doors open / shut, etc;
- the child-unfriendly piles of debris.
At the moment, much as I welcmoe and want to like the place, it's in danger of becoming one of those cafes that I end up resenting and ceasing to use...
Congratulations Pistachios - I love your new cafe on beautiful hilly fields! I've so far enjoyed your delicious scrambled eggs on brown toast at least 3 times along with copious pots of tea and scrumptious carrot cake -whilst enjoying the exciting skyline views across to canary wharf and the shard. I plan to be a regular!
Is the fountain still at the top of Hilly Fields? I used to get water from it to use on our vegetable allotment during WWII which was down at the bottom of the hill, of course. I lived on Braxfield Rd for 25 years so am enjoying to read about all the change. Nice that they have a cafe there now on the hill.
Is it true there were anti-aircraft guns with searchlights pounding away at the bombers all night?
A great place for this:
http://www.weekendnotes.com/where-to-get-high-south-london/
Hilly areas always attracts me last time i have visit satpara lake in Pakistan when i got cheap flights to islamabad because its low cost tour and area is famous for it beauty.
I was so excited by the prospect of a cafe in the park and an alternative to the ice cream van. However when I finally managed to get there I was stunned by the prices of the cakes for example £1.50 for a tiny piece of brownie that was too small to share. Who is the cafe catering for? Certainly not the average family. How disappointing...
If you can't afford one of these tasty morsels then perhaps you should accept the fact that your average is lower that many other families. But that can be certainly uplifted if you bake your own.
Ah Marie Antoinette is alive and well in Brockley. Charming!
hello anybody know of a phone number for the cafe?i went in their recently and loved it. i have some questions to ask them :)
Struggling to find the opening hours out - anyone?
Opening hours 8am til 6pm weekdays
9am tIl 6pm weekends
is there is any job in cafe pleas call me on 07728101707
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