Here in under-the-arches Vauxhall we have a 'Balans, eat your heart out' situation, with Hamburg-born Philip Reicherstorfer providing his adopted city with a gay-owned restaurant marked by not just a comfy, gay-friendly and gay-glitzy space but also proper cooking. Inspired by the likes of Amsterdam's Café George, New York's Cafeteria and London's Wolseley, with a nod to the maverick love-it-or-ignore-it Balans, Reicherstorfer has gone all out with an all-day brasserie occupying an entire railw...
Here in under-the-arches Vauxhall we have a 'Balans, eat your heart out' situation, with Hamburg-born Philip Reicherstorfer providing his adopted city with a gay-owned restaurant marked by not just a comfy, gay-friendly and gay-glitzy space but also proper cooking. Inspired by the likes of Amsterdam's Café George, New York's Cafeteria and London's Wolseley, with a nod to the maverick love-it-or-ignore-it Balans, Reicherstorfer has gone all out with an all-day brasserie occupying an entire railway arch that stretches from South Lambeth Place to South Lambeth Rd. The entrance at the latter end belongs to COUNTER Termini lounge – a bar and pizzeria offering crafted wood-fired pizzas, antipasti, classic Italian desserts and cocktails. Termini opened May 2017 (opens daily from 11.30am). In the long catwalk-like corridor that bridges the two sections you'll find a handsome cabinet of antiques for sale, care of Reicherstorfer's partner — an indicator of the intended clientele of this otherwise casual, welcoming but style-embracing establishment. Lovers of roomy booths and banquettes, fine coffee (Allpress) and classic and reinventd French, American and British dishes will find happiness here. There's also a much-hyped Sunday brunch (with afternoon live music), and the bar is a big thing too, with cocktails such as Pink Rose, Ring of Fire and the Vauxhall Sling. Located seconds from Vauxhall tube station. As of 2019 the website says that the restaurant is "closed for the time being".