What’s New

Pinch Vegan

We’re not huge carnivores, 99.9% diary free and big fans of a veggie cooked breakfast so we’re pretty excited that vegan restaurant, A Pinch of Nature, has decamped from Tooting to Fulham. You’ll find owner / chef Kaub Hetman serving vegan dishes crafted from seasonal ingredients at 176 Wandsworth Bridge Road. Urban Village LDN caught up with Kaub who kindly took a break from his busy schedule to tell us more.

“I’ve been a chef for 17 years and opened my first establishment two months before lockdown. Four years ago after seeing all the waste in the food industry and larger corporations not sharing my concerns, I decided to try a vegan diet for myself. I want to make a positive change one cup and one meal at a time because I believe small steps lead to big change. I’ve created dishes that I’m incredibly proud of including a scallop alternative using oyster mushrooms and a bao bun with an umami flavour which will take your taste buds on a journey around the world”. We asked Kaub why Fulham “quite simply after looking at lots of spaces I loved this property and it stole my heart”.

As well as coffee (a house blend of 100% Arabica beans or if you’re not a coffee lover, have a Moringa or a Beetroot latte instead) you can enjoy brunch (classics, sweet and savoury pancakes, truffle infused toasts, loaded flatbreads and burgers), book in for a plant based Sunday roast or afternoon tea (cakes, sandwiches, and classic scones). There’s a tasting menu if you want something lighter to enjoy with a cocktail or a glass of wine (Weds - Saturday evenings). Small plates include padron peppers, mushroom pate and the scallops not scallops. If you’re going to the Wandsworth Bridge Road Spring Fayre (Sun 11) you can try some loaded nachos, vegan burgers, checking out the colourful, homely and welcoming vibe inside whilst enjoying tunes spun by their DJ.

The Restoration Shop

The Restoration Shop, a cafe, Bistro and restoration studio, opened on the day of going to press but we hot footed it, literally on a blissfully blue and sunny spring day, to 207 Munster Road to talk to two members of the collective behind this new venture, Dazzler and Tim.

Dazzler, also owner of the Peartree Pub, told Urban Village LDN “we came up with this idea 10 years ago. We’ve been friends with Caro, Roman and others for a long time and wanted to bring all our different skill sets together to create a community hub for restorers and lots of different tradespeople; upholsterers, fellow painters and furniture restorers”.

As well as serving sandwiches, coffee and sweet treats daily the team will be using the workshop, a fantastic space with a glass front. Visitors to the café will be able to see work in progress; think open kitchen vibes with furniture, antiques, lighting and ornaments being restored. Outside there’s a gorgeous stripped back wooden façade, featuring a printed band of swallows amongst florals, bistro tables, back inside lots of lovely paintings, a blue ceiling and reclaimed pieces.

Tim who’s a furniture restorer told us more “the interiors are mostly made up of stuff we’ve found, the tiles are from a skip, the front of the counter from a shop that closed in Shepherds Bush market, the countertop is from freecycle”. The coffee station can be moved to create an art studio space in which The Restoration Shop will be holding events and workshops for upholstery, life drawing classes, furniture restoration and more. Dazzler told us “We looked at lots of spaces but this location was perfect and we’re enjoying our blue ceiling, blue skies and view of the city”.

The team here will not only repair, restore and paint beloved items that need a bit of tlc but they can also help with home restoration projects and point you in the direction of specialists in paint finishes etc. So next time you’re passing pop in for a coffee and have a chat. We loved meeting Tim and Dazzler and will be back when we’ve got more time to sit, see what’s happening in the work shop and enjoy the view! Found out more on Instagram @therestorationshoplondon

Bayliss Rare Books

Bayliss Rare Books as you might have guessed (!) is a rare book dealership founded by Oliver Bayliss. Rare books and first editions are at the heart of what they do, curating collections for discerning collectors and institutions alike, but they also specialise in sourcing and selling original photography, posters, prints, and memorabilia.

After setting up an online business four years ago Oliver has come back to his roots, having grown up in Parsons Green, to open a stand alone by-appointment studio on the New Kings Road. Urban Village LDN caught up with Oliver to find out more. “Understandably clients preferably want to see books in person and it made sense to design a physical space. The items we sell are high value so meeting clients, discussing a consignment, brokering sales in local cafes wasn’t the best. We’re currently open by-appointment only but there’s more to come after my wedding in June. This summer, local residents can expect a few surprises, with plans for pop-ups and collaborations with nearby businesses. A Rolling Stones photograph or two in your favourite coffee shop might just be on the cards”.

Bayliss Rare Books collection of treasures covers a broad spectrum of genres, with a particular emphasis on travel and exploration, antiquarian volumes, and fine editions. Oliver only offers works he is truly passionate about and every piece is carefully selected for its rarity, condition, and provenance. Exceptional items from Bayliss Rare Books include: first editions from Tolkien to Orwell, a first edition of Dracula, previously owned by Graham Greene and the earliest known American flag from D-Day. To find out more or if you need Oliver’s help searching for a specific title, collectible work or a significant piece of printed history head to the link below.

Sound Healing Zone

After being introduced, by a subscriber, to Jayne Macleod, Fulham resident and co-founder of the Sound Healing Zone, we made our way to 19 Heathman’s Row to find out more. Climbing the stairs of a shared building we were warmly welcomed at the entrance by Jayne and stepped into an incredibly gorgeous 150sq m light filled space, with stunning murals, an array of gongs, singing bowls and rows of air mattresses. No mats on the floor here!

The Sound Healing Zone offers individual, group, teen / young adult and corporate sessions; they’ve even hosted hen parties and also run “quick but effective” lunchtime going sessions. Jayne told us “word of mouth recommendations have been fantastic and it’s been wonderful to inform people about the effective results sound can have on the mind and body. We’ve loved that people have felt more informed, seen results for themselves and are building us into their routines. One lady who suffered from insomnia came in once and couldn’t believe afterwards that she finally had a full nights sleep”.

Jayne introduced us to her cofounder Ana Paola, they met each other at a training course following Ana’s move from Switzerland to the UK “I met some amazing people and Jayne! After lots of conversations and a shared ambition to bring our love of Sound Healing to a larger audience we joined forces and our first studio came to be. We want people to feel as comfortable as possible here, to reach a state of mind and frequencies that help the body detoxify. We want to build a sense of community and are looking forward to meeting more of our neighbours and residents”. Single 30 min sessions start at £19 and you can also bring your own group, book a work team or corporate session. To book / find out more head to the link below.