Tag Archives: brunch

The Breakfast Club, Soho

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Come rain or shine the queue outside the Breakfast Club is a permanent fixture. I have often tried to visit this popular cafe but have been discouraged at every branch (there are four: Soho, Angel, Hoxton, Spitalfields) by the wait. Sitting down in the back of the cramped Soho branch, I admired the boho decor and hippie vibe.

The menu has a variety of breakfast classics, brunch necessities and other dishes that fill in the gaps and provide for hungrier customers. I’d gone for a run that morning just so I could indulge.

A fruity, refreshing and sweet virgin apple Mojito quenched my thirst – made with mint, lime and pressed apple, it is the perfect breakfast juice option for cocktail lovers. Then I ordered a large strong cappuccino to accompany the food. My friend tried the ‘Return of the Red Eye’ smoothie jammed full of berries   (blueberry, raspberry, passionfruit, orange), it tasted wholesome and healthy though could have been a bit sweeter. Apparently this drink is a good hangover cure.

Food came quickly, and thank god, because I was starving. The Breakfast Burrito is my ideal meal, involving many of my favourite ingredients. A hefty portion of spicy grilled chorizo wrapped in a tortilla with guacamole, fried pepper, melted cheese and with salsa and sour cream on the side. Eyeing the huge portion, I never thought I’d finish it, but it was so delicious my fork automatically went back for more.

Pancakes with Red Fruits and Vanilla Cream were as wonderful as they sound, fresh soft pancakes with lightly caramelised edges. The fruit and sweet cream made each mouthful even more heavenly… another dangerously moreish dish.

Apple and Cinnamon French Toast was an innovative treat. Adding seasoned fruit to the American classic gave a spicy kick. Alternative toppings might have been heavy but the soft apple was the perfect match.

Dining at The Breakfast Club is like waking up on the right side of the bed, it is just a happy, good feeling. I am definitely adding it to my list of weekend favourites.

Brunch is served 9-5pm every day. If you don’t want a wait arrive early.

Visit the website for more information here.

Brunch at STEAK, Edinburgh

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STEAK Edinburgh is a brilliant concept, a cool lounge style restaurant that aims to offer you the best steak in the Scottish capital but also has a range of other delicious dishes, created by head chef Jason Wright with flair and creativity. The restaurant has only recently opened and yet feels established, with a modern vibe and groovy theme. The tag line ‘where beauty meats the beast,’ although a bit tacky, suits the moody and architecturally brilliant interior which actually reminded me of the familiar Disney film.

During our visit on a Sunday lunchtime the restaurant was empty… and I can only guess that it is directly related to the bland and over-discreet entrance which fails to signal the eatery let along announce it’s greatness. A banner, poster or sign would definitely increase custom and bring in hungry punters.

The brunch menu focuses on the glory of Scottish meat with classic steaks and breakfast dishes on the menu. We indulged and ordered a three course brunch, even saying it sounds absurd! To start we tried Cinnamon French Toast with Bacon and Maple Syrup and Eggs Benedict with Spinach: New York style breakfast choices that came full of flavour and in generous portions. They were well presented and made carefully to give the best taste. I was very impressed with the French Toast and the Eggs Benedict looked delicious.

Next came the meat feast – Rib Eye Steak with fried Duck Egg and triple fried dripping chips for my brother and the Mixed Grill for two for me and my dad to share, my god it was good. Our plate included sirloin steak, pigeon breast, homemade sausage, black haggis, bone marrow, wild mushrooms and insanely good sweet roast shallot puree. From the selection the steak was definitely the winner, a high quality cut, well seasoned with herbs and grilled to perfection. Always on the hunt for ‘the best chips,’ I was delighted to experience the triple fried dripping chips at STEAK… they were perhaps the best I’ve tried yet! Golden yellow and very crunchy on the outside with a soft and deliciously flavoured centre.

For those hoping for a lighter lunch… alternatives like granola and pastries are listed as ‘the rest’ on the menu! I thought perhaps STEAK could improve on their drink choices, I was disappointed that fresh orange juice wasn’t available and perhaps some smoothies would complement the brunch menu.

Jason Wright is obviously a bit of a ‘Heston’ at heart, with scientific creativity evident in his superbly executed brunch desserts. We shared his Pancakes with Bacon Ice-cream and Maple Syrup and faux Eggs Benedict made from banana bread, coconut and mango. They didn’t realise top marks for taste but they looked absolutely exquisite and are worth a try just so you can satisfyingly burst a fake egg!

I think STEAK could appeal to everyone, but it is an absolute must-visit for meat lovers.

Thoroughly Modern Milly travelled with East Coast Trains to Edinburgh. East Coast operates 46 services each weekday between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh. Customers travelling First Class can enjoy East Coast’s complimentary food and drinks offer plus unlimited Wi-Fi. Advanced return fares, booked online at www.eastcoast.co.uk: start from £33 Standard Class or £95 First Class. Times and fares can also be found via 08457 225225 or from any staffed stations.

Paradise, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Kensal Green

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I assumed Kensal Green was miles away from Central London civilisation, but it turns out to be just a few moments drive from the heart of Notting Hill and Portobello. I cannot believe I have never discovered this venue before…  the perfect West London pub and weekend hide out. I was amazed by the decadent interiors, glorious chandeliers, and rustic chic décor. Paradise is equally popular as a nighttime club-bar-hangout and as a relaxed place to chat over a lazy meal during the day.

The Sunday Recovery Session is a brilliant brunch concept based around the popular weekend hangover cocktail, the Bloody Mary. Each of the three courses use this drink as inspiration, and head chef Tim Payne has created a marvellous menu making the most it. The recently launched brunch menu is only available on Sundays 12noon to 8pm, and judging by the turn out last week you’ll need to get there quick.

Hungover guests can mix their very own Bloody Marys just to their preference – after ordering a tray of vodka and tomato juice is delivered to your table along with favourite additions: Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, crushed black pepper, lemon juice, tabasco sauce, sherry, sea salt and celery sticks. Though this sounds like enormous fun we ordered just a ready made glass each, mixed to perfection by the accomplished bartender.

All in all this meal was almost faultless, a feast of delicious food with top ingredients and really intelligent cooking. I have to admit, for a gastropub I was amazed and delighted with the high quality and class of Paradise.

The starters are light and fresh, I tried the Bob Kitchens’ Goat’s Curd, beetroot & watercress salad, honey and sherry dressing and my guest chose the Beef Carpaccio with sun dried tomatoes, rocket & parmesan. I was appreciative of the small portions (full roasts were up next) and polished my salad off within seconds… a lovely combination of soft salty goat’s cheese, sweet beetroot and crunchy watercress. I would have liked a touch more dressing as it felt a little dry, but I guess it left me wanting more! The Beef looked divine, a pretty plate of wafer thin red pink meat sprinkled with rocket and parmesan.

I rarely order roasts in restaurants, it is a tricky meal to perfect every aspect of in a hectic weekend kitchen. Paradise offer Suckling Pig, Free Range Chicken, Rib of Beef, Rumb of Lamb or the vegetarian Butternut Squash alternative. We chose the Chicken and Lamb, though the Pork was a close runner-up. The Roast was served with all the trimmings: lovely vegetables – carrot, cabbage and broccoli, puffy Yorkshire puddings and amazingly yummy duck fat roast potatoes. It was the perfect plate of food, covered in Bloody Mary sweet gravy. My only complaints: I would have preferred my lamb cooked for slightly longer, and the food arrived not quite hot enough, so that within a few minutes it was only lukewarm.

Puddings were spectacular. I had one of those awful situations where I wanted to try a mouthful of each option. Our waitress was so lovely she probably would have let me if I’d asked extra nicely, but feeling my jeans getting tighter I resisted and opted for just one, the White chocolate, pistachio & orange mille-feuille. It was without a doubt one of the best desserts I have ever tried. Aside from including some of my favourite flavours, it was immaculately designed and presented… thin white chocolate discs encrusted with splinters of pistachio nuts, with orange cream, insanely good homemade pistachio ice-cream (a perfect shade of pale green) and a stunning blood orange crisp made from crystallised orange. My friend tried the indulgent Valrhona chocolate tart, brandy snap basket & condensed milk ice cream… she seemed delighted as she managed to make her way through it despite feeling incredibly full, proof that it tasted exceedingly good. We finished with strong coffees delivered promptly with the desserts.

Paradise is a heavenly gastropub, and their brunch menu is one of the best I’ve tried. Visit the website for more information here.