Top 5: Valentine’s Day Brunches in LondonBy Alicia Grimshaw
We’ll take a plate of eggs Benny over a bunch of flowers any day of the week. We’ve found the best Valentine’s Day brunches in London worth spending your sparkles on. Happy eating, people:
1. For a Japanese Brunch: Kurobuta
What: With Valentine’s Day being on a Sunday this year, a boozy bottomless brunch at Kurobuta Marble Arch is just what the love doctor ordered. Scott Hallsworth, head chef and owner, will be hosting a brunch with an Australian/Japanese twist, cooking a delicious live buffet-style breakfast inspired by Japanese Izakaya dishes.
Eat: Everything. Alongside the buffet style breakfast, tuck into build-your-own ramen, juicy beer grilled steaks and Scott’s signature Salmon Sashimi Pizza (sounds grim, but it’s tasty – trust us). There’s even a special Valentine’s inspired cocktail to try, Kiss From A Rose – a heady mix of Bacardi Superior, lemon juice, strawberries macerated in rosé wine and Monin rose syrup.
Price: £35 brunch with the live buffet, unlimited beer and wine, and a cocktail on arrival
Where: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th February from 12pm-5pm (last seating 4:30pm) 17-20 Kendal Street, Marble Arch, London, W2 2AW
2. For a Classic Valentine’s Brunch: Bibendum
What: For an elegant Valentines day brunch, Bibendum’s within the iconic Michelin House is the place. They’ve stuck to what they know best, by dishing up well-loved brunch classics this Valentine’s Day weekend. Don’t fix what’s not broken.
Eat: All the well loved brunch dishes. Tuck into the Bibendum cooked breakfast and eggs Bibendum – poached eggs on an English muffin with duxelles. Also on the menu is grilled sausage and egg sandwich, avocado, hash brown and tomato, and porridge with vanilla sugar. Their super berry smoothie also comes highly recommended by us.
Price: Dishes start from £5.50
Where: Michelin House, 81 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6RD
3. For a Bottomless Brunch: Drake & Morgan
What: Ready to pump up the passion this February, Drake & Morgan is launching a Valentine’s Day Bottomless Brunch across its nine London bars and restaurants, including Drake & Morgan at King’s Cross, The Collection: The Fable in Farringdon, The Parlour in Canary Wharf and The Happenstance, The Folly and The Drift in the City as well as The Refinery by Drake & Morgan at Bankside and Regent’s Place.
Eat: Highlights from the brunch menu includes; H. Forman and Sons smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, oscietra caviar and sweetcorn blini, salt beef on toasted sourdough with pickle and Swedish mustard, and Jalapeno corn bread topped with a Clarence Court fried egg, black beans and guindilla peppers. Or, go all out and order their Lobster Benedict. All washed down with either unlimited Belini’s or Bloody Marys.
Price: £25pp
Where: Locations here
4. For a Galentine’s Brunch: 100 Wardour St.
What: Not everyone can be whispering sweet nothings over the table to a loved one this Valentine’s Day, so celebrate with all your pals at 100 Wardour St with their Anti-Valentine’s Day brunch. Gone are the pink balloons and instead there’s a DJ playing anything but love songs. We promise you won’t hear Donny Osmond singing puppy love.
Eat: Kick off the day with eggs cooked to your liking and served with a variety of sides, or a selection of small tapas-style plates including grilled chorizo with chestnut honey, and crispy squid with chilli and lime. Mains include; coal-fired garlic baby chicken, Galician beef cheeseburger and fresh Cassarecce pasta. And forget romantic sharing desserts – finish with a choice of pancakes with blueberry compote, decadent chocolate ganache crunch or French toast. Delightful.
Price: £30 for 3 course. Extra £15 for unlimited booze
Where: 100 Wardour St, Soho, London W1F 0TN
5. For a Romantic Brunch: Clos Maggiore
What: Dubbed one of the most romantic restaurants in London, Close Maggiore is going all out this Valentine’s Day with a five course tasting menu. Take high-end French food, stellar wine list, slick service, and throw in a cosy open fire and you’ve got yourself one hell of a brunch.
Eat: The menu does not disappoint. Dig into Maine lobster and Oscietra caviar with hot smoked rainbow trout and Ratte potatoes and move onto the Scottish scallop and king crab tortellini. Main dishes include, oven roasted and ‘herb smoked’ Wagyu beef filet, and baked Coeur de Neufchâtel cheese stuffed with truffles served alongside Braeburn apple marmalade and chargrilled sourdough. Dessert is dark Valrhona chocolate and aged Cognac parfait topped with crisp honey and banana custard.
Price: Five course menu with a glass of Champagne £155 per person
Where: 33 King St, London WC2E 8JD