Top 5: Ways to Eat Brunch in London This WeekendBy Alicia Grimshaw
Brunch: the socially acceptable excuse to drink before noon.
We’ve found the best places brunch in London this weekend. Happy days:
1. For a Bottomless Brunch: L’Escargot
What: L’Escargot has been skilfully restored and is now one of London’s most eccentric and lavish restaurants and members club. Housed in a 280 year old town house, this famous Soho landmark was established in 1927 by M. Georges Gaudin. This Sunday marks the opening of their new bottomless brunch offering. Prepare to dig into all the French fare.
Eat: True to its French heritage L’Escargot are sticking to the classics. They’re dishing up freshly made crepes – with fillings such as ham and Gruyere cheese, spinach and wild mushroom, nutella, and blueberry and maple syrup. Also on the menu is everything from pastries and home made granola to eggs benedict, avocado on toast, omelettes and a full English breakfast. For those bored of breakfast staples or who plan to arrive later in the day, there is also French charcurterie and cheeses. Best washed down with Bloody Mary’s and Bellini’s from the L’Escargot Bellini Bar. Best £25 you will ever spend.
Where: 48 Greek St, London W1D 4EF
2. For a Boozy Brunch: Gillray’s Restaurant
What: Enjoy brunch this weekend at Gillray’s – London Marriott Hotel County Hall’s restaurant. The quintessentially British Gillray’s restaurant boasts elegant views of Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the London Eye – the perfect backdrop to a delicious brunch.
Eat: Start the day with a healthy bowl of porridge with cinnamon and raisin or a continental breakfast offering freshly bagels, muffins and artisan breads, accompanied by locally produced preserves and jams. For those who want to breakfast like a king, tuck into a mouth-watering full English, including home-made gluten free pork and leek chipolatas, black pudding, or classic brunch dishes such as eggs Benedict, Foreman & Son London Smoked Salmon, and cracking omelettes. Or, go all out and choose one of nine steak cuts on offer at the restaurant, ranging from rump steak to an impressive 1kg bull’s head.
Where: London Marriott Hotel County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB
3. For a Boozy Brunch: The Landmark London
What: The Landmark London is a five star hotel found in Marylebone. They create some of the best afternoon teas around (they’ve won numerous awards for theirs), but its their champagne brunch that has our attention. Their Sunday champagne brunch is served in the stunning surroundings of The Winter Garden, located beneath a soaring eight-story glass roof atrium.
Eat: The Champagne Brunch menu includes a lavish unlimited buffet of home-baked pastries, continental charcuterie, fresh salads and a variety of delicious main dishes, including roasted rib eye of beef and a selection of seafood, all followed by a fine array of deserts. Coupled with a limitless supply of chilled Champagne and live entertainment, brunch at The Landmark London is best shared with friends or a big pile of newspapers. If there’s one brunch to impress a loved one, or your mum – take a trip to The Landmark London this Sunday.
Where: 222 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 6JQ
4. For a Brunch Deal: Jar Kitchen
What: Jar Kitchen is a modern British restaurant committed to sustainability and stylish food on Drury Lane in Covent Garden. Set over two floors, Jar Kitchen is a cosy and intimate 50 cover restaurant. Its unique minimalist interior features stripped wooden floors, sharing and individual tables, as well as bar seating is perfect for a casual weekend breakfast. Jar Kitchen have teamed up with Emerald Street to give you 2 4 1 on brunch items on Saturdays. Winner winner.
Eat: For brunch, try the Jar Kitchen granola with yoghurt, toasted almonds, Yorkshire rhubarb or oat porridge, vanilla cream, cocoa nibs, chia and banana. If you’re after something heartier, order either
the pork belly served with baharat spiced baked beans, tamarind chutney, poached egg, or the Jar Kitchen Full English – bacon, eggs, mushrooms, black pudding, their homemade baked beans, sausage and toast. Bacon and egg sarnies and toast with jam and spreads are also available.
Where: 176 Dury Lane, London, WC2B 5QF
5. For a German Brunch: German Gymnasium
What: For something special, stop by German Gymnasium this weekend. The historic former gym has been turned into a modern, all day Grand Café and bar serving Mittel-European cuisine, and it’s seriously cool. Alongside brunch dishes, they now serving their new lunch menu on Saturday.
Eat: Come for all the fancy food and drinks – for brunch, there’s Burford Brown eggs with crisp bacon and potato rosti, the German Gymnasium Arlington, a spin on the classic eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, poached eggs, Hollandaise, and potato rosti. The menu also boasts a range of pastries, baked goods and their signature GG breakfast. Wanting to stay healthy? Order either the Swiss bircher muesli, granola topped with yogurt, oats, honey, chia, and sunflower seeds or the chia pot. For lunch you can enjoy goulash soup, seared sea bass and classic Caesar salad.