Tag Archives: breakfast

Orée Boulangerie, Fulham

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There are plenty of bakeries in London claiming to offer authentic Parisian patisseries, fluffy baguettes and flaky croissants, but few deliver. The new Orée Boulangerie in Fulham, however, exceeds all expectations. Last week I joined a group of fellow foodies for a morning of sampling. Pitching to a table of unforgiving French bloggers was not an easy task, but our expressions softened as the buttery soft pastries were delivered to the table each, smelling more delicious than the last.

The Orée bakery and café stands out immediately, a creamy shade of baby blue with golden cursive writing. Inside, the décor is just as delectable with white marble surfaces, sophisticated furniture and lots of natural light. There is plenty of space for guests to sit and relax with their breakfast. Founder Laurent d’Orey brought the concept to England, after setting up bakeries elsewhere in Europe, and hoped to win over Londoners with his irresistible French pastries – he is definitely succeeding.

The boulangerie prides itself on offering a huge range of gluten-free treats in addition to the standard baked items. Highlights from our breakfast included the ‘escargot’ – a swirled pastry filled with pistachio and white chocolate – and the beautiful egg breakfast dishes, which are accompanied with the bakery’s organic sourdough bread. Those brunch-addicts hoping for something more substantial will enjoy the ‘tartines’, essentially an open sandwich topped with delicious ingredients such as avocado, smoked salmon or ratatouille.

A week later and I’m still relishing my bag of Orée almond financiers, each bite is a reminder of the beautiful baked treats at this wonderful new breakfast hang out.

More information about Orée Boulangerie here.

The Rooftop Cafe, London Bridge

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Rooftop Cafe

It’s not easy to find the Rooftop Café but once you have navigated your way up there you will feel pretty smug about locating London’s best hidden breakfast venue. And with the Shard as a neighbour, the views from this eatery are epic.

It is an unlikely spot… buzz at the entrance, follow the fire exit and climb three flights of stairs. A tiny doorway reveals a quaint café where you might expect to find a dilapidated office area. The café is open for all-day dining, though I think it is particularly lovely in the mornings. For balmy summer nights there is a terrace with coloured benches where you can enjoy the view al fresco.

Wake up with a strong coffee, a fresh juice and one of the delectable treats from the menu. Popular dishes include Truffled field mushrooms with poached egg and toast – earthy and delicious. Or the rather more indulgent Bacon, French toast and maple syrup. I opted for Avocado, chilli and lime with sourdough toast. The plates are simply presented, with generous portions for reasonable prices. I loved my avocado on toast which was fresh and zingy with the citrusy juice and kick from the chilli. Although I must admit the aromas from the truffled field mushrooms did convince me to try that option next time.

Quietly successful and individual, this lovely little café has managed to escape the attention of the serial brunchers in London. Get there fast while it’s still a secret.

More information here: www.therooftopcafe.co.uk

 

The Dominican Hotel, Brussels

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The Dominican Hotel contradicts many one’s assumptions about Brussels and the hotels there. The venue has a focus on design, art and history and is set on the site of a 15th century Dominican abbey, which later was home to the famous neoclassical painter Jacques-Louis David.

Located in the centre of Brussels, this accommodation is part of the Design Hotel group featuring the ideas of the renowned Amsterdam brand FGStijl. The interior is a modern renovation and revitalisation of the original architecture, specifically the cloisters. There are 150 rooms to choose from, a popular buzzy bar and three meeting rooms to fulfil the needs of business guests. The hotel is a short walk from the main station, and moments away from the shops and eateries of Brussels.

The rooms are centred round a quiet inner courtyard. Walking to our room, I noticed a fully equipped gym (ideal for jet-lagged visitors) and striking photography and artwork on the walls. We soon arrived at our door, and stepped inside to find a dark grey and green interior. Our double room was small but well arranged, the decor felt a little dated but was comfortable and had everything we needed for a night away from home.

The patterned carpet is a motif which runs through the hotel in different colour schemes. Aside from this decoration surprisingly I couldn’t spot many other design features in the room. Alongside the giant bed there was a coffee machine, TV and desk. A petite bathroom was functional but in good working order with a super powerful shower and the Spa Collection toiletries.

As it was our first morning in Belgium we couldn’t resist a plate of sugary waffles for breakfast. Along with a cup of coffee and fresh exotic fruit, we were set up for a day of sightseeing and chocolate shopping ahead!

More information and book a stay here.

Thoroughly Modern Milly travelled with Eurostar.

·         Eurostar operates up to 9 daily services from London St Pancras International to Brussels with return fares from £69.

·         Tickets to any Belgium station start from £79.

·         Fastest London-Brussels journey time is 2 hours.

·         Tickets are available from eurostar.com or 03432 186 186.

Customers travelling by Eurostar can enjoy a range of benefits including:

•         Seamless city centre to city centre travel, with stations located in the heart of our destinations

•         Fast and convenient check-in – passengers are requested to arrive only 30 minutes before departure

•         The extra baggage allowance you get on Eurostar vs planes (Eurostar offers each person 2 bags/suitcases and 1 piece hand luggage)

•         No queues or baggage reclaim upon arrival – simply take your bag with you on board

•         Comfort and space on board to work or unwind