Top 5: Ways to Eat Brunch in London This WeekendBy Alicia Grimshaw
If you’d rather be spending your time chowing down on eggs and sourdough this weekend, than making a naff Halloween costume (stick some Coco Pop packets on a top and go as a cereal killer), then we have just the feature. From a new bottomless brunch to a loosely-themed Halloween brunch, here’s our top picks for this weekend. Happy munching, chums:
What: On Saturday (29th October), Ravinder Bhogal’s debut restaurant, Jikoni will open for a global weekend brunch which will go beyond the regular eggs Benedict. If you’re ready ditch the avocado on toast for something more adventurous, dishes come with an international accent and will be inspired by Bhogal’s East African Indian heritage and her travels.
Eat and Drink: Globally inspired bites will include tamarind and pineapple glazed pork belly with fenugreek waffles and fennel slaw. The pork belly will also feature in the BKC, Jikoni’s own take on the BLT with apple kimchi, pickled cucumber and Sriracha mayonnaise. Other dishes worth waking up for are Kikapu chicken (a childhood favourite of crunchy fried chicken in a basket) with plantain chips, and kachumbari – an East African Indian salad. And not forgetting, handvo, a savoury fermented rice and lentil cake served with green chutney. For traditionalists who expect eggs on their plate, expect spicy fishcakes served with poached eggs and curry Hollandaise, and creamed sweetcorn on cornbread with fried eggs and a spiky jalapeno relish. Sweet tooths will also be sated with Ravinder’s Pina Colada pancakes, coconut ice cream and caramelised pineapple, and the orange, cardamom and rose doughnuts are not to be missed.
Where: 19-21 Blandford Street, Marylebone, W1U 3DH
2. For a Bottomless Brunch: Absurd Bird
What: For a truly good ol’ Southern weekend brunch head to Absurd Bird, where along with London’s finest Deep South-inspired chicken dishes, there’s moonshine cocktails, bubbles and craft brews. And the best news; the booze is bottomless every Saturday and Sunday for £35 per person.
Eat and Drink: Enjoy endless sips of beers, Moonshine Mary Cocktails or Prosecco throughout your two hours of brunching. Kick things off with the tricky choice between small plate favourites such as spinach and artichoke dip; jalapeño cheese biscuits, and Absurd’s sticky chicken wings. Mains include Absurd Benedict – a waffle with fried chicken, poached egg and Hollandaise, and Big Mama’s favourite quarter chicken, served with either fries, mashed potato or corn on the cob. And lastly the fried chicken burger topped with BBQ sauce and coleslaw. Make sure you leave room for dessert, because there’s peanut butter cheesecake. Peanut butter in a cheesecake. Oh boy.
Where: Absurd Bird Soho: 25 Peter Street, London, W1F 0AG and Absurd Bird Spitalfields: 54 Commercial Street, London, E1 6LT
3. For a Halloween-Themed Brunch: All Star Lanes
What: For the daylight dwellers All Star Lanes will be hosting The Bloody Brunch, all weekend. If you’re ready to get off the wagon, enjoy Bloody Scary’s (love a punny cocktail name), whilst sinking your knife and fangs into All Star Lanes new brunch menu. Those after something less bloody can choose between unlimited Prosecco or craft beer.
Eat and Drink: Well, it has to be said that the All Star stack is a towering mountain of sugary goodness. Think home-style American pancakes topped with forest berries in a sweet wildflower honey, with a dollop of sour cream. For the standard brunchers, order the two poached duck eggs, with spinach and smashed avocado on toasted sourdough, or be slightly adventurous with the handmade sausage patty topped with Monterey Jack cheese and a fried egg, served with mustard and ketchup on the side. If you need your protein fix, the freshly baked waffles topped with buttermilk fried with treacle-cured bacon, salted chilli butter and a shot of maple syrup will do the job.
Where: Locations here
4. For a Sporty Brunch: Bounce Old Street
What: Fancy brunch with a slice of ping pong? Course you ruddy do. Well, good news, Bounce Old Street have traded in the avocado for something much better – carbs. Every Sunday, from 1pm-3pm, pay £29.5o and quaff back bottomless prosecco, brunch pizza and show off your mad ping pong skills for 90 minutes.
Eat and Drink: Brunch a la Bounce features an array of innovative brunch pizzas, ingenious inventions by their in-house chef/pizza king. The range includes a trio of pizzas inspired by breakfast classics – Eggs Florentine, Eggs Benedict and Eggs Royale. Throw on some egg, throw on some hollandaise sauce, and bam, you’re left with one tasty brunch pizza. Good news: the pizza slices just keep on coming. Bring a tupperware. Hoxton Radio DJs will be providing the soundtrack, so expect bangers and party poppers.
Where: Tickets here. 241 Old St, London, London EC1V 9EY
5. For a Classic Brunch: No 11 Pimlico Road
What: No 11 Pimlico Road is the brunch lovers dream. Seriously. This independent neighbourhood bar and restaurant bang out an incredible brunch on the weekends; runny yolks, spicy Bloody Marys and killer coffees made using Caravan coffee from a local London roastery.
Eat and Drink: Their all day brunch menu makes us weak at the knees. Well-loved eats include No 11 Eggs Benedict, with honey roast ham, avocado and spinach on sourdough topped with homemade hollandaise, and the No 11 Eggs Florentine with salmon, avocado and spinach. For something deliciously different, try the creamy field mushrooms on toast with tarragon, truffle and crème fraiche. The breakfast sourdough bruschetta is topped with roast tomatoes, spinach, avocado, dry cured bacon and breakfast mayo, and it’s a dish we highly approve of. Need some sweet lovin’? The blueberry ricotta pancakes slathered with maple crème fraiche and syrup ticks all the boxes.
Where: 11 Pimlico Rd, Belgravia, London SW1W 8NA
