Anderson & co is a firm favourite for many reasons. This warm neighbourhood cafe/restaurant is set in the heart of Peckham Rye on Bellenden road, offering locals breakfast, brunch, lunch and now dinner with their new ‘lates’ menu.
You are always greeted with a smile at Anderson & Co; their friendly and welcoming team make you feel like you’ve just walked into a family home rather than a café. The service is always excellent here and that teamed with their delicious food offering, leaves no doubt that this is the shining star of Peckham’s food scene.
Having brunched there a thousand times and enjoyed one too many slices of their delicious cakes, I was excited about checking out their evening menu. The cafe has a gorgeous covered garden area at the back which is where we sat to enjoy the dinner. The ambience is relaxed but sophisticated, with candle topped tables and hanging fairy lights outside.
The menu looked stunning with an array of original and creative dishes, using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. To start with I went for the crispy artichoke hearts served with aioli, which were deliciously salty, crunchy and full of flavour. My main was Roast Aubergine Rolls which was exceptional. This was one of the best vegetarian dishes I’ve ever had, showing that veggie dishes here aren’t an afterthought but could actually be the star of the menu. Stuffed with spinach, mozerella and feta the aubergine rested on a bed of faro in a rich romanesco sauce. It had all the makings of a standout dish; texture, vibrant colours, delicious flavours. This is the veggie dish that could win over a lot of meat lovers.
My friend went for the onglet steak, a cut that is underused but if prepared right, delicious. Served with skinny French fries and a green salad, I heard nothing but great reports about this dish. All their meat is sourced from nearby butchers Flock and Herd, so quality is always guaranteed.
Their dessert menu was irresistible and I didn’t even try to make futile attempts to abstain. They had me at bakewell tart and for all the bakewell tart fans out there, this was a great one! All the jammy, nutty, sweet goodness you’d expect from this dessert, served with cream on the side as it should be. Although I also had to have a spoonful of my friends rice pudding with salted caramel, apples and toasted hazelnuts – for a brief moment I had dessert envy: this was so delicious, I almost double dessert ordered but for respect of socially acceptable behavior and my waistline, I didn’t. I will however be returning to order that one. It was warm, comforting, indulgent and creamy – in my eyes, a perfect dessert.
As the evening grew later, the buzz grew louder as friends gathered here to celebrate a Friday evening in London, chatting and enjoying good food in a beautiful environment. This place is genuinely one of my favourite places, not only in Peckham but perhaps in the whole capital. Rarely do you find a place that hits every note, without fail, every time. Exceptional service, food, ambience. Go there people and make sure you try out brunch, afternoon tea and cake but definitely their evening menu as it does not disappoint.
139 Bellenden Road
London SE15 4DH
