Tag Archives: brunch

Polpo Brunch

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Russell Norman has taken the London restaurant scene by storm, and Polpo is his biggest success story. Now with nine branches found in London, Brighton and even Leeds, his relaxed Venetian cuisine is becoming more familiar across the country.

Polpo Soho brunch

This month Polpo launches the weekend brunch menu, available in all the venues from 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays. I visited the Soho restaurant to try out the new Italian dishes. Soho was quiet, despite the big Pride celebrations commencing later that day. We were the first at Polpo and I relished the opportunity to photograph the restaurant empty in the dappled morning light.

Polpo Soho brunch

I was tempted to indulge with a breakfast bellini, but was sensible and opted for a strong flat white and fresh orange juice to wake me up. The menu is brief but features unique morning dishes that I hadn’t seen elsewhere before. Brunch pizzetta with Italian salsiccia, wild mushroom, Parmesan and a soft egg is a must. Once you get over the fact that you are essentially eating pizza for breakfast, it will delight with a lovely combination of subtly seasoned thick salami with mushrooms and eggs on a flaky, freshly baked dough base. Wild garlic, mushrooms and ricotta on toasted sourdough was nice too, though the unsteady pile of mushrooms rather drowned the other flavours… I would have liked more toast and creamy ricotta.

Polpo also offer buttery pastries and granola, for a lighter continental breakfast. But if you fancy something sweet I recommend ordered the ricotta doughnuts and cinnamon sugar, the perfect sweet treat to finish your Venetian brunch.

More information on Polpo brunch menu and bookings here.

No.1 Duke St, Richmond

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Richmond is an area of London that is perfect for lovely walks, welcoming pubs and family eateries, but never before have I visited a stylish café that I feel suits my needs. No.1 Duke Street is an elegant neighborhood bar and restaurant offering irresistible breakfast dishes, lunch classics, and dinner feasts. Alternatively you can pop in for a quick coffee or cocktail to relax after shopping in town, or walking round the green.

I visited on a gloriously sunny Sunday morning with all my family in tow. Despite the abundance of space (there is even a private floor upstairs) the main dining room was packed and we were lucky to find a table on the front terrace. Before I looked at the menu, I ran in to admire the instagram-friendly décor – white walls, worn wooden tables and plenty of pretty plants. Unsurprisingly, the interiors are photographed as much as the food.

The breakfast menu features a long list of morning favourites and a few imaginative additions. My brothers were immediately won over by the No.1 House Breakfast – sourdough toast with poached or scrambled eggs, accompanied by dry cured streaky bacon, pork and sage sausages, slow roast tomatoes and field mushrooms. The less greedy end of the table (!) settled for Blueberry ricotta pancakes with maple crème fraiche and syrup, Breakfast sourdough bruschetta with roast tomatoes, spinach, avocado, dry cured bacon and breakfast mayo, and No.1 Eggs Benedict with honey roast ham, avocado and spinach on sourdough with housemade hollandaise.

Fresh juices and strong (Caravan) coffees arrived to quench our thirst, before the morning feast was delivered. After copious photos of the photogenic spread I set about tasting each dish. Despite the simplicity, my favourite dish was the light and fluffy pancakes served with a dollop of sweet crème fraiche and topped with plump blueberries. I also loved the crusty farmhouse-style sourdough bread that comes toasted with many of the dishes. No.1 Duke St work hard to offer ingredients that are high quality and taste great, the meat was all butcher standard and the sauces are freshly made in house. Needless to say, silence fell over the table as the group devoured the delicious food.

Though I now live in South London I am often visiting family in West London and it is wonderful to find new venues that I am excited about visiting in this part of town. Next on my list to visit is the sister establishment, No.197 Chiswick Fire Station, which has also been receiving rave reviews.

More information and book a table at No.1 Duke St. here.

The Larder, Fitzrovia

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There could never be too many breakfast spots in London. I am always on the lookout for new cafes, and am constantly amazed by the variety on offer, from healthy hangouts serving yoghurt and fruit, to venues offering indulgent towers of pancakes with all the trimmings. The Larder, in Fitzrovia, has a nice mix of post-gym snacks and weekend treats. I joined a group of famished bloggers to get the scoop.

This new all-day café & store comes from Executive Chef Diego Cardoso and his team, who focus their recipes on ingredients that are seasonally available. The neighbourhood eatery has a casual feel, with welcoming wooden sharing tables and shelves stocked full of delicious items. We devoured a banquet of: chia seed pots with mixed berries; ham & cheese croissant melts; and crushed avocado on toast. I particularly enjoyed the pastries which were flaky and buttery, just like they should be. The Larder have their own brand of coffee, created by the celebrated Dorset roasters, Reads Coffee. It had a smooth and rich taste and is on offer with a variety of milks for fussy coffee fans. A range of fresh juices provide customers with a morning vitamin boost.

Those working nearby will enjoy the lunch options, simple but tasty toasties, fresh salads showcasing British produce and house-made sausage rolls and sandwiches.

Tucked away in Pearson Square, just a short walk from Oxford Street, The Larder is ideally located for morning meetings or weekend catch ups with friends. With 35 seats there is plenty of space to get all of your friends together and share as many dishes as you can fit on the table!

More information about The Larder here: thelarder.co.uk