Go West - to Norwood

West Norwood, the final frontier. Look, I'm relentlessly Central London, going too far out of Zone 1 gives me the bends, so it was testament to the reputation of Alchemy that I ventured this far out.

Alchemy is just the sort of neighbourhood restaurant that's a sure sign of gentrification; the street it's on has that half-scuzzy look that denotes middle-class Londoners desperate to find a postcode they can afford. It's a sweet little place.

There's a shortish, regularly changing menu; owner James Clarke says they aim to serve 'the finest, freshest, seasonal produce with simplicity and imagination'. So you might find the likes of rabbit liver and pancetta parfait with red onion confit, or individually baked chicken, tarragon and leek pie. What we ate was solid and sound rather than electrifying, perfect for its positioning.

Chicken liver patè was an alarming shade of scarlet and offputtingly bled red wine, but tasted fine; a salad of roasted pears, baby gem, walnuts and blue cheese worked well.

Good, organic steak sat on a bed of good peperonata with meaty grilled field mushrooms, and chicken with a creamy mustardy sauce was soothing stuff. Chips were excellent, as was bread, as was the chance to eyeball Timothy Spall at the next table.

Alchemy Bar and Restaurant
244 Gipsy Road, SE27 9RB