Deluxe Coffee Works - Welcome to The Bush

Deluxe Coffee Works

Coffee in Shepherd's Bush just got a little bit better (actually, a lot better) with the opening of the Deluxe Coffee Works in Macfarlane Rd.

Deluxe is located in a former light industrial building tucked in among residential houses in a small corner of The Bush - just off Shepherd's Bush Green. 

Deluxe is mainly a BtoB (Business to Business) operation, importing and roasting their own beans on the premises, but they also sell delicious fresh roasted coffee directly to the public. 

And, today, the opening day of the new "roastery", they are offering free coffee to locals.  But there is no sign on the door - you'll just have to follow the crowds. 

Hoxton Hotel Brings Glamour to Shepherd's Bush

The new Hoxton Hotel at 65 Shepherd's Bush Green is finished at last, having opened its doors on Monday night to local guests and visitors. 

The result is everything our neighbourhood could hope for, a lively, bustling bar filled with energy and life.  Who knew that going out for a drink in Shepherd's Bush could be so civilised?

With the lovely Albertine wine bar having closed earlier this year, the Hoxton adds glamour and fun to Shepherd's Bush nightlife.

Albertine Wine Bar to Close 18 March

The Albertine bids farewell to Shepherd's Bush

Sad news for Shepherd's Bush, our local and much-loved wine bar The Albertine is closing, forced out of business by Covid-19, Lockdown, and the general business climate. 

The last two years have been hard on anyone in the hospitality industry, struggling to stay afloat in spite of Lockdown restrictions.

Below is Allegra's farewell message.

Albertine Goes Al Fresco

Albertine - Outside Dining

It's not all bad news in Shepherd's Bush.  Our local wine bar, The Albertine, has at last won permission from our Council to set out some street furniture, allowing customers to sit outside and eat al fresco.

Wood Lane needs a bit of cheering up, and it's worth reminding Shepherd's Bush residents that eating out just got a lot cheaper - thanks to Chancellor Sunak's "Eat Out to Help Out" scheme, which gives diners 50% off the usual cost.

So let's give some help to Shepherd's Bush's struggling businesses and spend some money.

Albertine "Best Place to Drink" at LBHF Business Awards

Allegra McEvedy and her "Albertine" team

Our local Shepherd's Bush wine bar, The Albertine, recently won the "Best Place to Drink" at our Council's Business Awards.

We've long been fans of the Albertine, owned and run by celebrity chef Allegra McEvedy, who bought the Albertine a few years back, resurrecting an old family story in the process: the wine bar was originally founded by her Mum, back in the 1970s.

Today, the Albertine isn't just a great boozer, it has lovely food as well. Congratulations to Allegra and her team on a well-deserved win.

The Albertine is 1 (or possibly 41) year(s) old

Allegra McEvedy at the Albertine

The Albertine, Shepherd's Bush's excellent local wine bar founded and run by celebrity chef Allegra McEvedy, is celebrating their first birthday.  Or, since the wine bar was actually founded by Allegra's mum 41 years ago, their 41st birthday.

To celebrate, they are offering customers a free glass of prosecco (courtesy of @alliancewine) and a piece of birthday cake. To subscribe, follow this link.

The photo on left shows chef Allegra and three of her colleagues - including the newest and youngest member of the McEvedy clan. 

Princess Victoria Reborn

Princess Victoria interior

And now for the good news - the Princess Victoria pub on the Uxbridge road is back. Arguably the best boozer in Shepherd's Bush, The PV has now re-opened, complete with new management and a new menu.

The new owners are the Three Cheers Pub Co, who have made a significant investment in freshening the place up, with plenty of fresh paint, new pictures on the walls, and a general facelift.

Princess Victoria Pub to Re-Open

Princess Victoria

Excellent news for residents of Shepherd's Bush - the Princess Victoria pub (which now has its very own Wikipedia page) on the Uxbridge road is set to re-open, according to a piece at Shepherd'sBushW12

The new owners are the Three Cheers Pub Co. A licensing application has been submitted to our Council, LBHF by Six Cheers Ltd. You can view the application and add your own comments here.

Albertine Gets an A* for Food and Wine

Shepherd's Bush teacher and foodie Toni Sharpe has reviewed the re-launched and re-upholstered Albertine Wine Bar on Wood Lane for us, giving it an A* rating. 

The Albertine has recently re-opened under the guiding hand of local chef Allegra McEvedy, whose Mum started up the Albertine back in the 1970s. 

You can read Toni's review below.

Reborn Albertine is a Winner

Albertine Wine Bar

Local chef Allegra McEvedy (co-founder of Leon) has re-opened the Albertine Wine Bar, the historic BBC watering hole on Wood Lane - and one of the nicest boozers in our neighbourhood.

But, while the Albertine was always a great place to get a drink, you wouldn't necessarily have praised the food.

Now, all this has changed, as the Albertine has become one of the best restaurants in Shepherd's Bush.

The Albertine is Dead...Long Live the Albertine

Albertine Wine Bar

Local chef Allegra McEvedy (co-founder of Leon) is to re-open the Albertine Wine Bar in mid-February.

The Albertine was a favourite BBC watering hole on Wood Lane - and one of the nicest boozers in our neighbourhood.

The Albertine is also a place that made history - it's where where the very first EastEnders script was written.

But for Allegra it's a very personal story, since the Albertine was founded by Allegra's Mum back in the late 1970s.  And for local residents, it will be great to see this lovely piece of Old Shepherd's Bush restored to its former glory.

Pergola on the Roof Seeks Extension until December 23

Pergola on the Roof - now at TV Centre

Pergola on the Roof, the rooftop restaurant that has brought outdoor dining to the top of the old soon-to-be-demolished carpark on Wood Lane, has applied for planning permission to extend its rooftop run beyond the summer until the end of December.

Good news then for outdoor diners, but perhaps less welcome for the residents of Macfarlane Road who haven't necessarily been thrilled by the noise and general disturbance. 

Pergola On The Roof at Television Centre Now Open

Pergola on the Roof - now at TV Centre

Pergola on the Roof, the rooftop restaurant that is bringing outdoor dining to the top of the old soon-to-be-demolished carpark on Wood Lane, has just opened to the public. 

Open all summer long, Pergola on the Roof follows on from Storeys, last year's street food venture that brightened up White City for the summer of 2015.

Charity Book Sale at the Defector's Weld on Monday 18th April

Shepherd's Bush educator Toni Sharpe is hosting a charity booksale upstairs at the Defector's Weld pub on Shepherd's Bush Green on Monday 18th April at 6pm.

Come along and recycle the books you no longer want, and buy some new (-ish) ones too.

Books will be sold on at 20% of list price, or 15% for students. All proceeds are going to good causes.

Comedy Fundraiser on 15 March For Kids With Autism

Princess Victoria, Uxbridge Rd

Focus West London is holding a storytelling event by way of a fundraiser for their Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Saturday Club on the evening of 15 March 2015.  The event takes place in Shepherd's Bush  - at the Princess Victoria pub on Uxbridge Road.

The event is described by FWL as "an evening of eclectic and fabulous tales", hosted by comedian Sarah Bennetto.  Come to Shepherd’s Bush's finest gastropub and "lose yourself in an evening of stories". And, help support autistic children and their families as well.

How to Plan A Royal Street Party For The Queen's Birthday On 12 June 2016

2011 Street Party in The Bush. Photo: H Phibbs

Councillor Harry Phibbs has recently posted some information at his excellent blog on how to host a street party in Shepherd's Bush to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday, on 12 June 2016. 

Interested in having a party, but not sure how to do it? Our Government is keen to promote street parties, and they have now published guidance on how to hold one, setting out all the dos and don'ts. 

In our neck of Shepherd's Bush we had a street party back in 2011 to celebrate the Royal Wedding.  It was fun, and it was also a chance for many of us to meet our neighbours, often for the first time. Below, thanks to Harry, is a brief guide to How To Host a Street Party.

Princess Victoria Wins London County Dining Pub of the Year in the Good Pub Guide

Princess Victoria

Shepherd’s Bush's venerable pub, The Princess Victoria, has been awarded the London County Dining Pub of the Year in the latest edition of the Good Pub Guide.

The Princess Victoria is an excellent pub.  Located on a rather drab windswept section of the Uxbridge road, this former Victorian gin palace has been transformed in a stunning gastropub which somehow manages to achieve excellent food without the pretension of many pubs-turned-restaurants.

Restaurant Review - Shikumen at the Dorsett Regency

Shikumen at the Dorsett Regency

Shikumen is Shepherd's Bush's glossiest new restaurant. Part of the huge new Dorsett Regency hotel on the west side of Shepherd's Bush Green, Shikumen brings a level of polish to our neighbourhood that you'd expect to find in the more glamorous parts of the West End. In fact, it's so posh it feels like it doesn't really belong in the Bush at all.

Storeys - Pop-Up Street Food Comes To Wood Lane Today

Pop-Up Food in the old BBC Car Park

Storeys is a new pop-up street food market for the Bush, located (slightly implausibly) on the roof of the multi-storey car park of the old BBC TV centre on Wood Lane.

The car park is scheduled for demolition, but in the meantime we can munch on street food and admire the views.

Little Feast: Street Food Comes to Shepherd’s Bush Market

Little Feast - just off Goldhawk Rd

Shepherd’s Bush Market is hosting a six-week street food festival called Little Feast - launched on Thursday 2 July in a space at the Goldhawk Road end of Shepherd's Bush Market.

Little Feast is open on Thursdays through Sundays, bringing imaginative street food to our neighbourhood.