simplepretty

72 Bermondsey Street, London SE1

If all goes according to (my) plan, we have one year to go as full-time Londoners. This lends a bit of bittersweet to my #exploring expeditions — it’s the last summer! — but it also is a brilliant motivator to get out there and make the most of it. And so, over the weekend, we shook off the tendency to inertia and headed to Southeast London for some foodie fun.

After a morning wandering through the stalls at Spa Terminus (more on that to come), we headed to Bermondsey High Street to check out Southerden Patisserie and Café. Launched in Peckham in late 2013 by lawyer-turned-pâtissière Melanie Southerden, the Bermondsey location opened this February to instant design acclaim. And while the interiors, designed by Eley Kishimoto and Studio Maclean are striking enough to merit a mention from Wallpaper Magazine, my sweet tooth had to know if they had “the goods”. (A quick perusal of the pastry case said “yes”.) The shop was bursting with tempting options, but I quickly zeroed in on Southerden’s picnic lunch option. With a sandwich, homemade chips, a bottled beverage, and pastry for £10, it was the perfect way to sample the menu.

For my sandwich, I chose the roasted-grape and goat cheese, and it was an outstanding flavor combination (the simple, flavorful homemade chips were a lovely touch). Note to self: start roasting grapes, stat.

roasted grape and goat cheese sandwich with homemade chips

For my pastry, I selected a mini tart with blueberries, blackberries, and lemon creme (with an infused-macaron on top): clever presentation and soooo good.

blueberry/blackberry mini tart (with macaron!)

My beverage choice was a bottled cold-pressed apple, kale, and basil juice from Peckham-based Ali Baba Juice. (The staff member who helped me said it was her favorite.)

At £10, this lunch felt like the bargain of the century to me and I can’t wait to go back. In addition to the Bermondsey Street shop, Southerden operates a stall at Spa Terminus on Saturday mornings. It would be easy to fall into the habit of shopping for fruits, vegetables, and a little something sweet on the weekend. The height of civility in big-city living.

all photos by jane potrykus

February 2016 update: Southerden Patisserie (both locations) has permanently closed.