Where We Eat: Norbert’s

Among the many things we love about France, rotisserie chicken is right up there!

There’s nothing better than heading to the market on a Saturday morning, reserving your bird at the rotisserie stand, then pottering off to pick up some fruit and veg.  After a quick coffee, you swing back to collect your chicken (in a foil bag, obviously), complete with potatoes that have been cooking away underneath in the chicken fat.  Then home, and the whole thing is demolished with a bottle of rosé.  Perfect!

Despite this being a staple of a good French holiday, it’s always been a mystery to us why it’s not more common in the UK.  In fact, a few years ago, we talked seriously about opening a rotisserie chicken restaurant in Ladywell…but that’s a story for another day!

Happily, the brilliant team at Norbert’s in East Dulwich have gone and done it.  A proper rotisserie chicken restaurant.  And even more happily, it’s excellent!

On the subject of chicken restaurants…sadly the brilliant Chick’n’Sours has just closed its two restaurants after ten years of trading.  They are continuing a delivery service via Deliveroo but have cited the increasing cost pressures which make the business model of operating a restaurant increasingly fragile.  It’s frustrating that the combination of tax rises and business rate changes are pushing operators away from high street restaurants and towards anonymous delivery kitchens…but maybe more on that another time.

Meanwhile, back at Norbert’s a whole roast chicken, salad, sides and a short, sharp wine list are just the ticket and conjure happy memories of France.  No Deliveroo here but they do offer a click’n’collect option so you can pre-book your chicken and pick it up on the way home…very smart!

Goodluck to Norbert’s…vive le poulet rôti !