Review of the Herne Tavern - Jan 2011

Where: The Herne Tavern, Peckham Rye / East Dulwich
How much: Starters around £7, mains between £10 and £14. 
Come here: if you've got kids but can't give up going to the pub.



The Herne, or the East Dulwich Crèche as it is known locally, is another of those slightly grotty South East London pubs that's been tarted to an inch of its grubby (read authentic) life. It sits on one of the Victorian terraced lined roads with views across Peckham Rye. The terraces have, in the main, been turned into flats and crammed full of the young professionals who find themselves priced out of nearby Lordship Lane. 
Looks-wise it hasn't been given too much of a renovation. It's a 'character' pub innit. The stained glass has been cleaned and the dark wood doors and furniture stained with years of tobacco are now polished and restored to ramshackle functionality. Owned by the team behind the Palmerston, a similarly sympathetic renovation on Lordship Lane with a reputation for great grub, I was expecting good things for a pre-wedding lunch spot. 

The menu is gastro standard. The kids portions a nod to the nappy wielding Napoleons who control the purse strings round here. Starters hover around £7, sample dishes including a Spiced Cauliflower Soup and Noisette of Denham Vale lamb with Pease Pudding. Someone's certainly thought about the menu, even if it is relatively simple stuff. After a dirty burgering at New Cross pop up dive bar MeatEasy the previous evening, I sadly forced myself to turn from homemade (organic of course) burger and the Galway rump steak. Bereft of other fleshy delights, I went for Cornish Mackerel, stuffed with a slightly subdued salsa verde and served with ratte potatoes (a little like fingerling) and rocket. The two pieces of fresh and tasty fish were well cooked but it's a hard sell at £12.50 a portion. The Masticator plumped for a Smoked Haddock, Bacon and sweetcorn chowder, thick, rich and perfectly pleasant, he was a happy camper too. 
Like the Palmerston, they keep a good range of (relatively pricey, even for London) ales. It's a good place for the local professional parents and those who want to share a meal with them.