Tag Archives: brunch

The Landmark London Hotel, Marylebone

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The Landmark London Hotel is truly deserving of its name. This grand hotel is stationed on the busy Marylebone Road, an iconic venue for Londoners and tourists. The building, which dates back to 1899 and was once a Victorian railway hotel, retains much of its old world charm and glamour.

When we checked in on a Sunday evening, an Indian wedding was in full swing in the hotel, beautifully dressed guests could be seen flitting between rooms. It is a glorious place to commemorate a special event. With a broad smile, the man at reception informed us we had been upgraded to a Marylebone Suite.

This hotel feels intimate and exclusive but actually has a total of 300 rooms, making it one of the largest luxury hotels in London. Every facility you could need can be found on site from the tranquil spa and energising health club to the eleven prestigious meeting and conference rooms, which are flexible to suit your exact requirements.

Our suite was a delight, spacious and luxurious. After exploring every detail and gadget in our room, I realised that our quarters (60 square metres) were bigger that my entire flat. I made sure I used every space… relaxed on the sofa in the comfortable living area whilst picking at the plate of chocolates, soaked in the lovely bathtub (with the delicious Molton Brown toiletries) in the marble bathroom and read my book tucked into the gigantic bed. Though old-fashioned in style, the rooms at Landmark don’t feel tired or outdated.

There is little need to leave the room with two digital TVs, an iHome system to play music and a Nespresso coffee machine. I relished the luxury of lying in bed idly sipping my cappuccino late into the morning, it was such a treat. When hunger demanded, we freshened up and sauntered down to the buffet, which I’d already be warned was a feast for all of the senses.

Breakfast was also my first sighting of the opulent Winter Garden, the main restaurant in the central courtyard of the hotel. With a glass roof, this dining area is brilliantly illuminated by natural light in the mornings, and I suspect is magically atmospheric at night. With impressively tall palm trees in the restaurant, it felt more like a summer garden than a winter one. We indulged with a selection of perfectly baked French pastries, pancakes with crispy bacon and maple syrup, fruit and coffee. Buffet breakfasts can be drab and underwhelming but at Landmark they pull out all the stops presenting an array of goodies that would perk up anyone’s appetite.

Leaving The Landmark London, I couldn’t believe I’d only just got to know this classic British hotel despite living in London my entire life. Centrally located and close by to the city’s major stations, this hotel is ideal for city breaks but also makes a lovely venue for weekend brunch or afternoon tea with friends.

More information and book a room at The Landmark London here.

Brunch in London

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Brunch is no longer a meal enjoyed just at weekends. I have noticed that many men seem confused with the concept of combining two meals (breakfast and lunch) to one larger feed, but my girlfriends relish the opportunity to meet and chat over a lazy mid-morning feast. Brunch is cheaper than lunch, but more substantial than breakfast, it can be accompanied with healthy juice or decadent cocktails. In London there are numerous delicious, stylish venues to choose from, whatever the occasion there is a brunch hang-out to suit the event. I’m always on the look-out for new eateries that serve up a brilliant brunch; here are a few of my current favourites in the capital…

Blixen – Spitalfields’ newest brunch hang-out is ultra-sophisticated, a combination of Parisian charm and New York design. Upstairs, the smartly arranged dining room is pale-hued, clean and chic with a floorboarded ceiling, white-washed brick walls and plenty of natural daylight from the large windows. Downstairs there is a tiny cocktail bar which is popular in the evening. Chef Matt Greenwood has created a range of original and tempting dishes, spoilt for choice we chose three to share between two of us. I chose the tropical Good Times juice, an addictive combination of pear, pineapple and ginger. The bacon and fried egg sandwich with gem lettuce and tomato jam was a satisfying savoury option, or opt for Pancakes with blueberries and whipped crème fraiche if you fancy something sweet. Brunch for two – approx. £25.

Hotbox – this glam-rock restaurant serves up a mean brunch with optional unlimited Prosecco. Hotbox is an American BBQ specialist, offering plates of hearty fare and dangerously good morning cocktails. If Bloody Mary’s are your thing you’ll be pleased to discover there are five varieties at Hotbox. For food, Chicken Belgian Waffle is a must try, indulgent crispy salty chicken with freshly-made pillowy waffles and dripping in maple syrup with a sprinkle of truffle salt – it is the ultimate sweet’n’sour combination. I also loved the Mexican inspired Beef Rib Taco with smoked short rib, crispy shallots and chimichurri. Brunch for two – approx. £35.

Caravan, King’s Cross – this is my favourite meeting place for workday brunches. The huge industrial restaurant and roastery is part of the new developments at King’s Cross and is already very popular with the nearby businesses. There are plenty of simple, wooden tables to accommodate everyone, but be warned at weekends seats are scarce and reservations are essential. The coffee is top notch, the team roast small batches daily with the highest quality beans sourced from around the world. The menu is full of divine dishes, I can’t resist the Courgette and corn fritters with chilli jam, herbed feta and rocket. If you are feeling particularly hungry order a side of chorizo! Brunch for two – approx. £30.

Honey & Co, Warren Street

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I am always on the lookout for exciting breakfast venues in London. Honey & Co is the first solo venture from husband and wife team Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer. Both trained as chefs and have gained experience and inspiration working in kitchens around the world.

The little cafe on Warren Street offers Middle Eastern delicacies that evoke memories from the couple’s childhoods. It is the food they grew up with, whether recipes learnt from their mothers or the street food they adored as children. Honey & Co is conceived as an extension of their home, a comforting place to feast on food, chat with friends and relax.

It is a far cry from the croissants and fry-ups available at other breakfast hang-outs. Here you will find Ljje (herb, feta and buttered leek frittata), Roasted pepper and muhamra lahma, Merguese sausage roll with spicy tomato and harissa as just a few of the morning specialities. At the weekends diners can feast on Poached legbar eggs on spinach and yoghurt or Turkish smoked urfa chilli butter and potato bread soldiers, which has become a favourite with regulars. It is all delicious, carefully seasoned and using the best ingredients. Alongside the food, Honey & Co offers the sweetest freshly squeezed orange juice and good coffee.

Honey & Co has produced a vibrant cookbook with tempting recipes and alluring photography. It brings some Middle Eastern exoticism to my kitchen and reminds me of the delicious breakfasts I have enjoyed in the characterful café.

More information here: honeyandco.co.uk