What’s New
How Now Brown Cow
Did you spot that The Brown Cow on the Fulham Road has had a refurb? We’re loving the new look! They soft launched a few weeks ago and not only have the interiors been given a much needed zhuzh but the menu has had some changes too. Urban Village LDN went along, not gifted, to check out the new interiors and menu. Once you’re through the raspberry front door, the green of the exterior carries on in a different shade alongside brown leather, wooden tables, chairs, shelving and bar.
To kick things off there’s a fantastic new cocktail list and whoever’s behind the bar knows what they’re doing because we had an incredible Bloody Mary. Cocktails are all priced at £11.95 with classics like Negroni, Hugo gin spritz and there are some newbies that are on our list to check out. Tulip’s Gaze which The Brown Cow describe as summer in a glass (vodka, peach schnapps, strawberry syrup apple juice & lime) and the Matador Margarita which sounds perfect on a sunny SW6 day, a tropical twist on a Margarita, (pineapple juice, Jose Cuervo silver tequila, lime juice and agave syrup).
Out table was in the corner by the front door which is screened off making it cosy and sitting right by the window you can watch the hustle and bustle of the Fulham Road. Their new menu now offers breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. You can start the day with a coffee, matcha, smoothie, oats, grains, bakes and eggs. Or you can go the whole hog with a pub breakfast (bacon, black pudding, egg, hash browns), a brekky bap or steak and eggs. We were in for Sunday lunch so started with salt & pepper calamari before moving on to roast beef with all the trimmings - delicious! For dinner there’s lots to choose from including Malaysian Seafood curry, baby back ribs, rib eye steak & crab linguini. Desserts include grilled peaches with honey & thyme, tiramisu, biscoff filled donuts, affogato and pudding cocktails: tiramisu espresso martini, chocolate old fashioned, berry hibiscus Negroni. There’s also a kids menu - little brekkie, waffles, fish goujons, cheeseburger, cheesy pitta pizza and a kids Sunday roast. The Brown Cow is also dog friendly so everyone can head en famille to 676 Fulham Road!
Lyceum Fit
We wrote about Lyceum Fit when they first opened and, because we love the ethos and the team behind this gym, we thought it was about time we found out what’s new! Lyceum Fit is a community initiative so you’ll find their fitness indoor / outdoor space at the Sands End Arts & community Centre (SEACC) who they work with closely to provide training, workshops and talks to the local community. The team at Lyceum Fit are on a mission to make health, fitness and wellness accessible for people of all classes and backgrounds. The added bonus is that the LF team: Robbie, George and Sabina are all lovely people!
As well as offering 1-1 personal training, group fitness classes for locals from 8 to 80+ (including parents fitness classes, after school fitness / developmental programmes for children) they have a free running club for locals every Tuesday at 11am. Their over 60’s fitness classes, take place every Wednesday at 2pm, and are affordable at £5 per session. The classes focus on preventing injuries, improving bone density, avoiding muscle atrophy and fixing postural problems.
Back to what’s new! Hyrox Classes are starting this month and you can book in for a £5 trial class (moving forward they’re £20). We didn’t have a clue what Hyrox was so hear goes: a global fitness race format with leader boards and cumulative word championships at the end of each season. Robbie told Urban Village LDN “Hyrox is a fitness competition that has become incredibly popular recently. We are delighted to now be affiliated with them and will be running Hyrox classes 3 times a week as after work sessions”. Also new at Lyceum is an ice bath for use post workout, alternatively if you fancy yourself as a novice Wim Hoff you can book in for drop in sessions at Lyceum for the ice bath alone. Did you know regular ice baths can lead to increased dopamine release, reduce stress hormone cortisol levels, improve cardiovascular health, boost blood flow and help improve sleep. Next up and new this autumn will be singles classes so watch this space!
Jesse’s House
We wrote about the upcoming arrival of Jesse’s House over a year ago cut to this month and the Little Houses Group are ready to open the doors to their newest family club here in Parsons Green. Designed to make navigating the juggle of parenting a little simpler and fun after the reality of navigating London as a parent hit for founder Charlie Gardiner and his wife with three little children - Jaego, Jesse and Orly - in tow, Jaego’s House launched in Kensal Rise in 2022 with everything in one place and for one monthly fee. “For most of us, it’s great to find somewhere that kids like visiting just as much as the parents do and that’s exactly how we want our guests to feel about Jesse’s House,” says Charlie. “Here families will find reassuringly noisy sanctuaries, where children can dive into the jungle gym in full scream, sink into a beanbag in the kids’ cinema room or go wild in TARKA and other kids’ classes. After such positive feedback about Jaego’s House, Parsons Green’s family-friendly atmosphere feels like the perfect next location”.
Jesse’s House includes an outdoor and indoor pool, Reformer Pilates, gym, adult-only co-working spaces, a courtyard, playground, treatment rooms and mini sports pitch for football and playball. Kids can safely let off steam in the crèche and Kids’ Club, there’s a relaxed Den for pre-teens; childcare and entertainment are on tap, which means members can head to the adult-only Study & Co-work space complete with soundproofed phone booths, turn up the heat in the spin studio or opt straight for a martini on the terrace. For the kids there’s a timetable with over 70 classes a week from cooking classes to football, smoothie making to baby ballet and plenty of messy play.
Lucy’s, is the main restaurant with a Mediterranean spin and the terrace overlooks the playground so parents can enjoy a glass of wine in the sun, whilst the kids are in the playground. Cooked in an open kitchen, menus are designed by Executive Chef Eryk Bautista, formerly of Cadogan Arms and La Petite Maison, and Head Chef, Bartosz Bogucki (previously at Aquavit and Studio Frantzen) – think Salmon Tartare, Orzo Puttanesca and Poached Sea Bass. Meanwhile, little ones can enjoy a selection of dishes crafted by Fulham’s very own Lune + Wild, from baby purees through to toddler meals including shepherd’s pie, chicken pie and Mexican bean chilli. There’s also a ‘Grab & Go’ courtyard café serving fresh juices, coffee and light bites for the adults, plus a children’s menu.
Over 40s Social at Little Blue Door
Founded by Jess Evans two years ago Bored of Dating Apps (BODA) has been on a mission to help singles who are tired of swiping to find love by holding events across the UK.
After experiencing heart break herself and becoming exhausted from trying different dating apps Jess decided that a return to old fashioned dating was needed. BODA collaborate with venues to bring back human connection and fun to dating, hosting events from yoga retreats, quiz nights, dances, drinks socials and sober socials and it sounds like they’re a dab hand at it with eleven proposals, some weddings on the way and a BODA baby. They primarily organise singles socials for 20’s-30’s but on occasion offer something for different age groups.
So they’re launching an over 40s social at Fulham’s Little Blue Door (871 - 873 Fulham Road) on 22 August (7- 11pm) which will be a trial (late 30s welcome to join if they feel they’re better suited to this group). Tickets cost £20 + fees and their socials have been described as “events that are so good that they make you want to stay single”.
Jess herself has found love and is looking for BODA singles to start hosting their own nights, with her / BODA’s support, so get in touch if this is something you’d be interested in. Hit the link below to find out more and book tickets for the Fulham event