Forum Topic

Bistro Vadouvan closes

While visiting Carluccio's this Sunday morning I noticed that  Bistro Vadouvan had a sign saying it was  closed at present. However, their website  now states is has closed for good. Thank God Carluccio's seems to be holding up - it is  a great asset to Putney.On that matter I had heard last year that the residents living above Carluccio's and The Rocket were objecting to evening outdoor seating after 9pm on both sites. My understanding is that when this development was going through the planning process emphasis had been placed on the fact that the development would provide a communal open space for residents of Putney - one of the few along the river. I do not see why Putney residents should be prevented from having a drink outside by the river until say 11pm. The residents of both tower blocks should be told that they have no right to dictate to us and the public space does not belong to them. This is just as important  a point of principle as the matter of the select few by Wandsworth Park wanting to take over the riverside frontage of their properties at the expense of the community last year. I hope the Putney Society is keeping a watching brief on this too. What I find particularly attractive about the site is the the planners did not build a wall along the river but an attractive fence so that one can watch the boats plying on the river while seated.

Timothy Horgan ● 2474d37 Comments

Quite agree, Tim. It must have been obvious to anyone moving to the Putney Wharf area that there were restaurants and bars with outside table. It's therefore obvious that any patrons of those establishments would want to enjoy an al fresco summer evening until 11pm or midnight. If they want somewhere quiet I'm sure there's a nice sleepy back Street elsewhere in Putney or Southfields for them to live. Why try and destroy other people's enjoyment or businesses? Anyway, one would have thought those new buildings would have decent double glazing. Can one imagine that happening in Paris, Madrid, Rome or Athens, or any other great European capital? Next thing, the people at Putney Plaza will be complaining about the noise from tubes and trains ...

Michael Ixer ● 2474d

This happened in my old home in Alderney, Channel Islands.  One of the best and most frequented pubs on the island, which did so much business and was loved by locals and visitors... Anyway, the owners got old, the pub was sold, it was taken on for a while but never the same.  Then somebody bought a property next door and then bought the pub (it was very small), JUST so they could close it down and prevent them being disturbed by any noise.This happened some years ago, but I am still in shock, it has ruined the feeling of the local area and is a real downer, compared to the fun the area used to have.We must not let NIMBYs who know what they're buying be allowed to ruin the ambience and enjoyment of the area!!!

Bunny Payne ● 2474d

Btw, I have been dying to visit Bistro Vaudovin and hold my hands up that I did not so far.  Such a shame, we (I) need to support our local businesses.  I heard so many good reports about that restaurant.

Bunny Payne ● 2474d

We looked at Vaudovin but never tried it as the the menu outside made it look like a vegan free zone. Other than a few like Ma Goa, Yum Sa, Kashmir, and a Lebanese and new Indian restaurant in the LRR (their names escape me) the best places in Putney for veggie/vegan food are chains like Carluccio's, Wagamama, Pizza Express or even Wetherspoons's Rocket. Failure to have several veggie/vegan options these days means missing out on parties including those who don't want meat or dairy. (Even Bill's had a good Veganuary menu, not sure if they'll maintain it.) Unless we've missed any!

Michael Ixer ● 2474d

I heard that the menu and food were lovely at Bistro Vadovin, I think the main problem is the location, so tucked away that nobody would notice it.  I hope they find a better location.

Bunny Payne ● 2474d

In response to all....You are clearly newbies and know nothing about the history of the Wharf and are no doubt snowflakes who have just dropped in.I have lived in Putney Wharf since its inception in 2002. The Wharf was created from a rather ugly office block and some relatively disused waterside premises.In 2002 circa 200 new homes and flats were established in Putney Wharf. It was built and marketed as a landmark new riverside "residential" development. The Rocket bar was opened as an evening cocktail/high end wine bar and the only other leisure outlet that had been outlined in the sales particulars to the buyers of the 200+ properties in Putney Wharf was the family friendly restaurant Carluccio's.Since then, the residents of the Wharf have had to put up with the Boathouse and now the Wetherspoons bar being opened. The Putney Wharf residents pay service charges and for the added security created by the late night drinking and anti social behaviour created from those bars. This is a burden on us and disrupts everyone on the estate. Why should residents in Putney Wharf put up with late night rowdy noise and the inconvenience in the late hours of the morning to satisfy the selfish minority!The latest plans from the Boathouse is to have covered awnings across the square and create a covered festival tent feel in the square. What part of using this space is family and residential friendly when alcohol is being served in this space for the majority of the time. I suggest you pop down on a football day or any busy summer afternoon and see the anti social behaviour that goes on. Passers by have to run the gauntlet getting through the footpath and the deluge of glasses and mess/vomit . It is not something that local residents should have to put up with.Btw I am happy to meet any anti's who protest. as this is something that is close to me and my neighbours…..

George Nixon ● 2472d

Whether one agrees or disagrees with your position you’re not going to win any friends calling people snowflakes and newbies. I can tell you straight that the people who’ve commented so far are definitely not newbies to the forum if that’s what you mean and most will have lived in Putney a great deal longer than you and your development.

Freddie Francis ● 2472d

If as you say Freddie they have lived here so long then maybe they should get their facts right before they make any ‘educated’ comments on an open forum?!

George Nixon ● 2472d

Well let’s hear from them. One might take the view that you’ve got no different a situation to those living in the flats between the Dukes Head and the Star and Garter. I don’t recall them ever complaining here about noise and drunks though they are also football fan pubs plus they run the gauntlet of full on Boat Race crowds. Did the Boat House come as a surprise to you? I’m pretty sure it was established at the same time as your flats. Certainly it was built as the very same time.

Freddie Francis ● 2472d

And, I seem to recall the siting of the pub was in part to replace the original pub that stood on the main road and which stood on the site of an even older pub. But being new to the town you may not have been aware of course. Bit of history for you.

Freddie Francis ● 2472d

@George. I've lived in East Putney since 1979 and am familiar with the block now housing the Rocket and the flats above when it was an ICL office building, like the Premier Inn opposite it in Fulham - a friend of mine who worked for ICL once told be that the police computer centre on the corner of Putney Bridge Road and Putney High Street was co-located next to ICL so engineers were on hand to carry out quick fixes before the days of remote support. Anyway, I've eaten in Carluccio's since it opened, I once has a drink in the cocktail bar and have had a drink in the Rocket a couple of times. I'd be surprised if the dinners at Carluccio's make a lot of noise and the Rocket, although busy, has never seemed particularly raucous, maybe I've not been there at the right (or wrong) times. I'd agree the Boathouse does seem unpleasantly busy at times and, to be honest, it's looked so busy I've always been put off going in it. What surprises me is that it wasn't mentioned on the original plans; my understanding is it was a replacement for the Youngs Castle pub on Putney Bridge Road that was demolished as part of the redevelopment (a pleasant quiet local from what I recall of the several times I went in there). One wonders if that development was deliberately obfuscated from purchasers of the flats? It does seem wrong that the security costs for the commercial establishments are part of your service charge as it seems to me that the main culprit is the Boathouse and possibly the Rocket? The problem is we could well end up with more empty premises in Putney and it that would seem unfair to Carluccio's. With regard to the change of a cocktail bar to a pub I'm not surprised that happened as I doubt the original business was sustainable, and I've seen that type of change elsewhere. In the end one either has viable businesses in Putney Wharf which probably means they need to provide full service until 11pm or more empty units, or your landlords reduces the rents so those units remain viable? Just suggestions, others may have better ideas.

Michael Ixer ● 2472d

Freddie think you need to think before you comment?! you make assumptions... the fact I have lived in PW  since 2002 doesn’t mean I have just moved to Putney... shame you are soooo assumptive

George Nixon ● 2472d

Oh George, it Doesn’t really change what I’ve stated. The fact you say you lived here longer makes your assertions weaker if anything. You should have known what it would be like.

Freddie Francis ● 2472d

have an amazing day Freddie, you have clearly greater knowledge and foresight than me and the average person...i have a business to run and have no more time for chit chat on this subject!

George Nixon ● 2472d

The online descriptions of Putney Wharf do seem to say "mixed-use".

David Ainsworth ● 2472d

The thread seems slightly to have gone off topic! I think  Bistro Vadouvan was by far and away the best restaurant in Putney (catering for Vegans too!) - but not in a great location as previous incumbents discovered. I have been a customer since it opened and hope Durga Misra with his brilliant skills and team find a more receptive location soon.

Clare Cundy-Cooper ● 2472d

It's a very problematic site. Businesses don't last all that long there. Hidden off the main street and tucked away even more within it. Never got round to going to this one, as much as we kept saying we must, but used to frequent the Tapas that was there before and when the kids were little we used to go to Tootsies (was that what it was called?).

Freddie Francis ● 2472d

I do hope Bistro Vadouvan finds a new venue and stays in the area.As for George and his stupid comments, all of us who have lived in Putney for 20+ years know that the Putney Wharf area was meant to be mixed use and generate a fun area …. disappointedly not quite so fun as was hoped and I'm not surprised with such miserable people living in the flats above.

Bunny Payne ● 2472d

On the subject of George's stupid comments: I fail to see how the closing of the outside areas on a Sunday night is going to reduce Football crowds either!Great loss though, Vadouvan was great food and very different from the usual fare.

Mike Hodgson ● 2470d

It seems that little corner is just not good for trade.  I have actually looked for Bistro Vadouvan once, couldn't find it and went somewhere else.  I do hope they find a more accessible venue in Putney, I'm sure they'd do well.

Bunny Payne ● 2469d

Bistro Vadouvan  contact details are on the news page with an article of interest. If like me you are shocked and saddened at their closure you might want to add your name to their email for news of their next venture.

Katrina Black ● 2469d

It seems thar Mr. Dixon has a very low opinion of Putney residents. He castigates decent football fans even though additional security is required at the Rocket by the Met Police for every football game - in any event between 1 Aug-31 Dec 2019 there were only 12 home games at Fulham so the annual total home games is about 20+ only. I have passed by on numerous occasions on match day and people are generally very well behave, as they usually are throughout the summer on THEIR terrace. For much of the week the customers at Carluccios are decent hard-working families with children, at The Rocket there would be a higher proportion of retired people and Putney workers - including many police from Jubilee House next door.Perhaps Mr.Dixon with his pathetic disdain for the Putney Hoi-Polloi should pop next door to St. Marys Church and maybe reflect on the words of a certain Mr.Cromwell who had some views on those who got "above themselves".--------------“Take away that fool’s bauble, the mace”Oliver Cromwell speech dismissing the rump Parliament. April 165

Timothy Horgan ● 2469d

Same arguments made against the Palmhouse development in Putney Exchange, and I quite agree.. I do think the Putney Plaza is a wonderful public space where I often spend quiet time gazing at the river from a bench with a coffee and a newspaper on a weekend morning... and while I welcome restaurants offering al fresco options, local residents' position on the Palmhouse was that it is not a restaurant, it's a bar designed for large groups and heavy drinking.. the council disagreed and decided to call it a restaurant with ancillary bar use.. I think the problem is that the drinkers are where they money gets made and the Council is blind to the fact that there is a difference between a restaurant and a bar that serves some food... until that problem in planning law is fixed, the bars focused on mass drinking are free to encroach anywhere as long as they have some food options.

Mary McCue ● 2468d

this was directed to George Nixon's comments about Putney Wharf

Mary McCue ● 2468d

I really have concerns in the community forum. The slight dementia and troll negative comments targeted at new comers such as myself are quite off putting and unnecessary. The “Club” appears to be select  and somewhat elite and of a certain age ... I  do wish all of you well,  but to be honest your opinions are not comparable with the demographic... I do however think it is a great past time for those of you with time  on your hands

George Nixon ● 2467d

That post has to be one of the most patronising I've ever seen on the forum (and I've seen a few!)If you don't like it in Putney George, you can always move away. I'd always thought that the demographic being addressed  by late night bars ,restaurants etc near the river  and on top of the Exchange  was the younger element of Putney so I'm not sure why you are complaining.

Lucille Grant ● 2467d

Perhaps some of us do have too much time on our hands at the moment to impart our extensive wisdom and knowledge :-) However, more seriously, it's worrying that London can't support an area such as Putney Wharf providing riverside al fresco drinking and eating (in the summer!) in the same way as other capital cities in Europe can. As I've said before, when I've been eating late at Carluccios I've never noticed any excessive unruly behaviour - yes, the Boathouse does look crowded and noisy - but I'll be honest I've never been there when either the Boathouse or Rocket have been chucking out, or on a match day. Perhaps the pubs should close extra early on match days? I recall when the Railway was a Wetherspoons pub although it was open until midnight - in fact 1 am Friday and Saturday - if there was a football crowd heading for it the pub was rapidly closed even if it was only 10 pm. The other concern is that Wandsworth seems to be ok with licensing what appears to be a drinking factory on top of the Exchange which at that elevated level does seem to be right in the middle of residential properties. Lucille, yes, I do find it amusing that I'm being accused of being in the senior age bracket while supporting the freedom of the youngsters to have some enjoyment - or,  is it not really age related? I guess football fans range from teenagers to senior citizens? As I I'd in another posting, I don't know the answer to keep everyone happy with this but if the scope of sales opportunities is restricted in those restaurants and pubs they may not be viable (look at the number of changes in the unit next to Carluccio's) and we'll end up with more empty units in Putney.

Michael Ixer ● 2467d

quick reading of the original 2001/2 planning process shows that the restaurant/bar outlets would be allowed to operate between 08:00 and 24:00. Great emphasis was placed on the area becoming a PUBLIC square. Mention was even made of the restaurants/bars being allowed "Supper Licences" so that they could remain open until 01:00 to improve viability. Maybe this might be an answer for the Vaudovan site!I have also had a quick look at the Met Police Crime map for Thamesfield Ward for 2019 and despite the allegations of Mr.Dixon not a single Public Order Offence or Anti-social Behaviour offence of any kind was recorded in and around the public squares on Putney Wharf throughout the year. My understanding also is that during Match days extra security must be provided under direction of the Police, plastic beer glasses are used and importantly only home team supporters can be served.The area is an important community asset for Putney and we must not allow it to become a private fiefdom by default. Let your Councillor know that they should not surrender this important part of Putney to private vested interests promulgating false narratives.

Timothy Horgan ● 2467d

This isn't entirely relevant but just an observation that perhaps sometimes the law considers general public amenities of more benefit than those of individual property owners?  Of course, if they can make an appeal to the Supreme Court a different view might be taken ... also, they have an easier way of mitigating the privacy issue than perhaps there is for blocking noise that is a nuisance ...https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/feb/12/luxury-flat-owners-lose-privacy-appeal-against-tate-modern-viewpoint

Michael Ixer ● 2463d

"Something there is that doesn't love a wall"

David Ainsworth ● 2463d

I do have sympathy for the flat dwellers  and the Tate observation deck. To me it's a clear state of invasion of privacy - why should people have to keep their blinds down most of the day?  If I recall correctly the flats were built before the Tate extension?But the amenity space being discussed here is completely different as it has always been intended as use for the general public and must remain so.

Lucille Grant ● 2463d

"To me it's a clear state of invasion of privacy - why should people have to keep their blinds down most of the day?  If I recall correctly the flats were built before the Tate extension?"But they must have realised that whatever was built beside the flats development would also be high and also have windows?https://www.metro.news/luxury-flat-owners-lose-privacy-battle-with-tate/1433469/If people wish to live in a glass box, they need to make technical arrangements to protect their privacy. I tend to use bricks and curtains, and in the street I would never insist upon my right to wear see-through plastic trousers, as fashionable as they might be. We seem to be a nation of three-year-olds with too much money.

David Ainsworth ● 2463d

Planning permission for the Tate extension was granted before the flats were built. Therefore they knew (or should have known) what was going be built next door

Matt Palmer ● 2463d

Most high-rise apartments in high-rise developments look into each others windows. It's not a new thing. Regarding the planning, the owners seem to have claimed the observation deck wasn't on the plans when they bought. Sounds a bit lame to me. Good on the judges for making a sensible decision. As I believe they stated at the end of the case, to have found otherwise would have set an terrible precedent.

Freddie Francis ● 2463d

Notwithstanding all the comments I quite like the Putney Wharf area ...https://flic.kr/s/aHsmLsvbSC

Michael Ixer ● 2458d

The Putney Wharf area is great, especially when it's busy with lots of people out to enjoy the food/drinks/space.Anyone buying a high rise flat should first watch Hitchcock's Rear Window".  Great film!!

Bunny Payne ● 2458d

Mary M. I have to disagree with you.  I've always understood that food is where pubs and bars make their money?

Bunny Payne ● 2458d