New neighbourhood gem Aside, brings a community-driven dining and hospitality experience to London’s Peckham. Situated within the former site of the Peckham Assembly — established in 1986 as a community space for the local area — the 35-cover restaurant respects the building’s long standing heritage; much of the original design retained throughout the restoration, and a sense of community and togetherness key.
The brainchild of the team behind Peckham Rye’s Old Spike Roastery, and led by Rob Dunne, the casual-yet-refined eatery offers food driven by seasonality and locality, and inspired by the area’s diverse local community. Dunne has curated a throughly-researched coffee menu — having been involved from the sourcing stage — and they sit alongside a selection of teas from Postcard Teas.
Matthew Wright, formerly of the St John’s Tavern, and Christian Taylor, from Heirloom, are heading up the open kitchen, their day menu featuring favourites like the Aside bacon sandwich; scrambled eggs on home-baked sourdough; and smoked salmon with horseradish, and a dinner menu with daily changing dishes like curried goat and roti sitting alongside duck, cherry and kohlrabi.
In keeping with the community spirit of the location, the crew have plans to run a series of classes with London-based makers, the perfect opportunity to be a part of the continuing heritage team Aside are promoting; and indulge in one of their incentive cocktails whilst you’re at it …
Photography: Interiors, David Blair Ross; Food and Drink, Victor Frankowsk
