Brunch in London: Five Ways to Indulge This WeekendBy Alicia Grimshaw
There ain’t no party like a granola party. You know the drill – grab your best friends and your American Express, it’s time to get brunching like a boss. Forget your local greasy spoon, here’s 5 brand new ways to eat brunch in London this weekend:
1. For a Bottomless Brunch: Shackfuyu
What: When we first found out about Shackfuyu’s latest brunch deal launching this Sunday, we did a mini fist pump in the office. Firstly, because their matcha soft serve with kinako French toast is the stuff of legends, and secondly, the team will now be pouring unlimited pineapple-infused sake into your tumbler. Sound good? Thought so.
Eat: So here’s the set-up: choose two small plates and one larger dish from the menu, plus bottomless sake for the bargain price of £29. Appearing alongside Shack classics is the melt-in-the-mouth aubergine with 4 miso and bubu arare and sweet, sticky Korean fried wings. Also available on the small plates menu will be breakfast hot stone rice, a morning variation of one of the restaurant’s signature dishes served with bacon, cheese and mushrooms. Waffles will be given the Shackfuyu treatment with a green tea version to be served with smoked bacon, black sesame butter and maple syrup, for the ultimate Japanese take on the sweet and savoury trend. Omu rice, a rice filled omelette with prawns and pineapple and buttermilk fried chicken bun with kimchee will also showcase Shackfuyu’s yoshoku style of Japanese cuisine.
Where: 14A Old Compton St, London W1D 4TJ
2. For a Brunch Event: Bourne & Hollingsworth
What: Taking place in the beautiful leafy surroundings of Spa Fields, Clerkenwell, on Saturday (11th June), Bourne & Hollingsworth will be hosting an alfresco brunch to celebrate the 90th birthday of our Majesty the Queen. There’s only one way to toast Lizzie’s birthday in style, and that’s with a Bloody Mary in hand.
Eat: The royal knees up will feature live music, engaging performances, traditional games and the finest British provisions. Feast on an array of breakfast delights fit for a queen, designed by Executive Chef Adam Gray. The brunch menu will focus on British brunch favourites and quality seasonal produce, which let the ingredients do the talking. Think Eggs Benedict with lashings of hollandaise sauce, bacon and eggs, fluffy buttermilk pancakes and other sweet and savoury delights. Expertly made cocktails by B&H’s in house mixologists will also be available at the open-air bar. While away the rest of the day in the picturesque Clerkenwell setting, enjoying the green expanses of Spa Fields, listening to live bands and partaking in a gin and tonic or three.
Where: Spa Fields Park, Northampton Road, London EC1R. 10am-8pm, with brunch sittings taking place from 12:30pm £35 for entry and brunch. Tickets here
3. For a Boozy Brunch: Ma’ Plucker
What: The folks at Ma’ Plucker have hatched a plan to make sure all you chicks are celebrating your weekends this summer in style. It’s time to fly the coop for some daytime debauchery at Ma’ Plucker with their new finger lickin’ offer: Birds and Bubbles.
Eat: Launching this Saturday (11th June), head down to Soho’s favourite southern chicken joint to help yourself to a whole chicken accompanied by your choice of two bases – choose from freshly plucked salad, house buns or maple waffles, and two sides – choose from Ma’s slaw, seasonal greens, or crack and cheese; a deliciously tempting little ball of fried mac n’ cheese. And no southern chicken meal is complete without the addition of some fried goodness, their fries are also included, and if that’s not enough to ruffle some feathers the chaps are even throwing some of Ma’s famous hot miniature doughnuts smothered in hot caramel sauce as a sweet, sweet treat. To top it all off, enjoy unlimited Prosecco for two hours. Make your way to Ma’ Plucker for some great southern comfort food and a clucking good time.
Where: £35.00 (12pm – 2pm & 2pm – 4pm).
4. For a Bombay Inspired Brunch: Dishoom
What: We realise that Dishoom is not a new brunch spot. But let’s be honest here, as we’re all friends – they serve a killer late breakfast at the weekend. Dishoom always has such a great vibe, and the food is top quality. Word of warning: it gets really busy at the weekends, so prepare for a queue. It’s worth it though; their bacon and egg naan is the best thing since the World Wide Web.
Eat: If naan ain’t your bag (which, really it should be), their spicy scrambled eggs – an Irani café staple is a must. The eggs are piled up richly alongside plump pau buns and served with grilled tomato. If you like spice, these eggs are the one. The eggs are always perfectly cooked and creamy, with lots of fresh herbs, chopped onion and garlic, so full of flavour and a welcome relief to normal scrambled eggs. For a hangover busting, stomach dancing feast – order the big Bombay. A plateful of char-striped smoked streaky bacon from The Ginger Pig, peppery Shropshire pork sausages, masala baked beans, grilled field mushroom, grilled tomato and buttered pau buns. If all else fails, keep it simple and go for their chai spiced banana porridge. It’s like a hug in a bowl.
Where: Locations here
5. For a Middle Eastern Brunch: Berber & Q
What: Inspired by the relaxed breakfasts of the Middle East and North Africa, Berber & Q serves Middle Eastern brunch every Saturday and Sunday. Head Chef Josh Katz has created a brunch menu reflecting his travels through Turkey, Morocco and Israel, and it’s a real treat.
Eat: All the Middle Eastern fare – hummus, boiled egg, baba ghanoush, tahini and the Israeli salad are fantastic. There’s also smoked beans, beets and whipped feta, with pickles, pita and harissa. If you like eggs, their green shakshuka is made for two to share: braised eggs in spiced tomato sauce with red pepper jam, green chilli ketchup and coriander, which is really, really good. Also there’s Turkish eggs, lightly poached, with yogurt, paprika butter, spring onion and pul biber. Don’t leave without trying a Middle Eastern twist on a brunch classic, Berber’s bloody Mary: Harissa Rose Mary concocted with house smoked vodka and rose harissa. And their daily pitta is what we’d describe as a posh kebab, only this one you don’t have to eat after a couple of pints.
Where: 338 Acton Mews, London E8 4EA
