The Dead Dolls House Brings Opulent Dining to Peckham
For those of you who aren’t familiar, The Dead Dolls House is a bar, restaurant and private members club based in Islington, which has recently set up shop south of the river in Peckham.
The owners, Adam Towner and Katy Gray Rosewarne decided to set up in Peckham after seeing real potential in the area. After finalizing the deal on their new space, Adam and Katy entered the space armed with nothing but a drill set and a set of marker pens. The end result is a magical space for dining, dancing and drinking.
The club is fast becoming the subject of hearsay in Peckham for its warm staff and impeccable food, so we popped down to see what the fuss was about. Entering the bar feels a bit like stepping into a smoky saloon, the staff are all impeccably dressed and armed with your choice of liquor. We kicked off the evening with a round of Kir Royales, which were perfect for relaxing and enjoying in their elegant bar area.
After a welcome tipple we were led to our table in the dining area. A mish mash of of turquoise velvet chairs and decadent mirrored walls, candelabras and cocktail glasses, the setting certainly added an element of glamour to our dining experience. Shortly after we sat down, the casual, friendly and helpful staff came over to take our order. After our second round of drinks, a charismatic girl from Liverpool took me through her favourite meal options with such enthusiasm that I wanted to try every dish. The menu is small but precise, with a focus on both local and seasonal produce.
We tried the sardines to start with chimichurri and artisan bread, and the lobster mac and cheese. Both were delicious. For our mains we had black truffle, Parmesan and mushroom ragu, alongside the 12oz sirloin steak with béarnaise sauce. The presentation was amazing and the flavours were truly unique, the relaxed and dimly lit dining experience also added to the ambience of the whole experience.
The food is rustic, and the drinks ooze of old school glamour. After our meals we tried the Old Fashioned and the French Martini – both were delicious and perfectly presented. The opulent and glamorous setting mixed with relaxed and hearty food certainly creates a unique dining experience.
If you’re not a fan of stuffy West End members clubs then The Dead Dolls Club in Peckham could be for you. It feels like a private members club for friends, laid back, yet chic. Cosy, but smart.
If you are interested in joining you’ll be pleased to hear there is no members fee, simply bring a house warming gift from their list of approved beverages here, and you’re in the family.
The venue is also bringing the bottomless brunch trend south of the river with a boozy brunch option available on Saturday and Sundays. Making it perfect for a long and boozy South London brunch. Yum.
The Dead Dolls Club Peckham, 1 Clayton Road, London, SE15 5JA, 0207 732 2691. Nearest station: Queens Road Peckham
