Tom’s Kitchen, Chelsea

Tom’s Kitchen
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27 Cale Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 3QP
Tel 0207 349 0202

Having visited Tom Aiken’s upmarket version of this brunch spot the week before (situated just around the corner and called Tom Aikens) I had very high expectations of this Chelsea haunt and was slightly nervous that I would, once again, need to be rolled down the Kings Road after overeating. But although the brunch menu was good, I wouldn’t call it the fantastic gourmet experience I’d had in his restaurant. But I guess you can’t complain when you compare the bills!

We all enjoyed our meals, however, because we were such a large group (Gemma’s and Monica’s last ever BBC in London drew in the crowds to wish them a teary farewell!) we were only able to order from a limited selection of the menu. So we did look in envy at some smaller groups’ meals.

Although I enjoyed my homemade granola, I did find it a bit too sweet for my liking. But my poached pears in syrup were delectable! What I did like about the menu was the fact that you could mix and match smaller items – each costing a reasonable £2 - £4. Sal had the chocolatey brioche toast, which looked divine, while some of the hungrier members of the group dove into the full English breakfasts.

The atmosphere is clean, crisp and casual and the staff were very helpful and polite. I think one of the biggest selling points, and one of the reasons I’ve been back since, is the fact that Tom’s Kitchen prides itself on serving organic, ethically sourced and in-season fresh produce – and I think you can taste the difference. Definitely worth a visit, but maybe in a smaller group.

La Fromagerie, Marylebone

2-4 Moxon Street, London, W1U 4EW
t: 020 7935 0341
www.lafromagerie.co.uk
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Cheese, glorious cheese!!! Brie, stilton & camembert... and a whole lot more actually. This is the home of cheese (if you didn't guess it from the name). But not just any old cheese - cheese that is sourced directly from artisan producers.

They have every type and regional variation you could dream of. Whether you would like cows, sheep, goats or buffalo cheese... soft, semi-soft, semi-hard, hard or blue cheese... cheese from France, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland or the United Kingdom... cheese with a name like Abbaye De Trois Vaux, Appleby'S Cheshire, Explorateur, Fiore Di Latte, Poiret De La Meuse, Raclette Berghoff or Provola Lago Scuro... the list goes on.

What I love about brunch at La Fromagerie is that it is totally original and totally fresh. It has a distinctly "farmer's market" feel to it from the moment you first enter and pass through what is essentially a market place on your way to the cafe out the back. Here you can enjoy cheese and charcuterie plates along with seasonal dishes using the fresh produce they have delivered from the markets in France, Italy and UK each week.

For breakfast, home made seasonal jams and chutneys are on offer along with freshly baked breads, brioche and pastries. The Spanish Farmhouse Breakfast is a real treat with a distinctly Continental flavour. Consisting of cured hams, Chorizo, Manchego, Garrotxa, Picos de Europa & Membrillo with crusty breads, farmhouse butter with yoghurt, fresh juice & tea or Piantagioni coffee. You'll be hard-pressed finding room afterwards for one of their delectable homemade biscuits or cakes. For something lighter you have to try their fresh homemade Granola as it is a-m-a-z-i-n-g. So is their mueslie with French Vardon yoghurt. If you are as big a fan of it as I am you can also pick some up to take home with you on your way out.

Situated just off the Marylebone High Street with all of its beautiful shops, visiting La Fromagerie for brunch is a special weekend treat. It seems that the locals are also onto the secret so you will very likely have to wait for a seat at the long wooden table or one of the few tables for two. But there is plenty to keep you occupied while you wait, including the fully stocked "farmer's market" style shop at the front and a walk-in cheese room where you can browse the wooden shelves of perfectly ripened cheeses each labelled with their own unique tasting note.

Cafe Laville

453 Edgware Road, Little Venice Parade, Maida Vale, London, W2 1TH
Phone: 020 7706 2620
Website: www.restaurant-laville.co.uk
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Set right above the beautiful Regents Canal, at the Maida Vale end of Edgware Road, Laville would have to be one of my favourite places to brunch. Whilst it doesn't look much from the road, when you go inside you'll discover why - its picturesque setting affords you views right down the tree-lined canal.

In the Summertime they open the cafe's glass doors right up and put tables out on the little balcony overlooking the water. As you sip one of their freshly squeezed juices you can watch the canal boats glide across the water and underneath the cafe itself. In Autumn the scene is even more beautiful, with the leaves turning a riot of oranges and yellows, which is then reflected in the water below.

The breakfast menu is fantastic with a choice of reasonably priced special deals. These include my favourite, the 'Early Italy' where $5.50 will get you scrambled eggs with cherry tomato and basil on fresh roasted ciabatta bread, washed down with a freshly squeezed orange juice.

They also do the more traditional 'English Breakfast' along with other hot breakfast options such as Eggs Benedict; scrambled, poached or fried eggs; and omelette. You can also choose from a wide array of reasonably priced breakfast sides such as bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes or even salmon.

If you are looking for something a bit healthier they offer yoghurt with fresh fruit, mueslie or almonds & honey. Then, as you are being so good, you can afford to treat yourself to a slice of one of their amazing cakes, including the traditional English favourite, Banoffee pie. Their hot chocolate with cream is also a speciality and is sure to hit the spot on a cold Winter's morning.

Aubaine Boulangerie & Patisserie, South Kensington

262 Brompton Road, London, SW3 2AS
Ph: (020 7052 062
www.aubaine.co.uk
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Three words sum up this fabulous brunch place - charming French waiters. They are so friendly and efficient, you feel like you are somewhere other than London... like Provence perhaps? Well, not quite, but it is a very nice change to have amazingly polished service.

The service is also very prompt, particularly when you are an hour late for your reserved hour and a half time slot. (England happened to switch onto daylight saving that day, and some of us kind of forgot.) Aubaine is so popular with the locals, you are given time slots.

The breakfast menu consists of a great selection of croissants, fresh crusty baguettes and delightful pastries as well as light and fluffy omelettes where you can choose your own combination of toppings.

Great coffee and a relaxed, true café ambience make this a lovely place to go for Sunday Brunch. You can also pick up some delectable macaroons at the pastries counter on the way out!

This London Brunch Review was by the Brunch Book Club London. We like to visit great breakfast cafés and brunch restaurants around London and provide independent brunch reviews. We only make recommendations for good brunch places in London such as Aubaine Restaurant, Boulangerie & Patisserie, South Kensington.

The Wallace Restaurant, Marylebone

The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, London, W1U 3BN
Ph: 020 7563 9500
www.wallacecollection.org
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Set in the massive glass conservatory at The Wallace Collection museum, this newly opened restaurant is the perfect place to brunch on a sunny Winter's day. Whilst the service is nothing to write home about (our meals all came out at different times and we had all finished our first course before patient Sally was served hers) the food is really great. Karen & I started off with the Sugar Crepes which were mouth-wateringly good. The others all had omelettes. Then because we all had food-envy, Karen & I had to share an omelette and the others had to share some crepes. Michelle blissed out with the Tarte au citron (lemon tart) whilst Mon looked equally enthralled with her Tarte Tatin (puff pastry with caramelised apple) After our magnificant brunch, we all headed to the nearby Regent's Park to run 50 laps around Queen Mary's Rose Garden. Ok, not really, but after all of these fantastic brunches we really need to introduce a strict exercise regime into the routine!

This London Brunch Review was by the Brunch Book Club London. We like to visit great breakfast cafés and brunch restaurants around London and provide independent brunch reviews. We only make recommendations for good brunch places in London such as The Wallace Collection Restaurant, Marylebone.

Scoffers, Clapham Junction

Address: 6 Battersea Rise, London, SW11 1ED
Closest Transport: Clapham Junction Overland Train Station
Phone: 020 7978 5542
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If you are looking for a hearty, home-cooked breakfast... but cooked by someone else.. and not at home... Scoffers fits the bill. The servings are generous and there is a good selection of breakfast options on the menu including the classic full English, vege breakfast, eggs benedict, and scrambled eggs on toast with a choice of sides including hashbrown and bacon. The prices are extremely reasonable and the atmosphere is very casual - the glass conservatory with a real fig tree growing through its roof adds a nice touch.

However, as the prices are extremely reasonable and the atmosphere very casual, then it goes without saying that you shouldn't expect any special favours from the wait staff or the kitchen. Well, so we learned. Poaching an egg rather than scrambling it is just too difficult - unless you are ordering the eggs benefict of course... Bad luck for you if you were told that the orange juice would be freshly squeezed but they ran out of it and you get the bottled version.... Your friend is going to be late? She'd better hurry or she'll miss the brunch menu as it changes on the dot. Lecture, lecture, lecture. The local greasy spoon café would have been more flexible! Everything was just all too difficult, which put a bit of a dampener on what would have been an enjoyable brunch.

Based just up the road from Clapham Junction's infamous Northcote Road, Scoffers is a great place to go for a weekend brunch if you are on a budget. If you aren't on a budget, then I would turn around and head back to Northcote Road or Clapham Junction where there are better restaurants.

This London Brunch Review was by the Brunch Book Club London. We like to visit breakfast cafés and brunch restaurants around London and provide independent brunch reviews. We only make recommendations for great brunch places in London. Unfortunately, this is not one of them.

Roast, Borough

Address: The Floral Hall, Stoney Street, London, SE1 1TL .
Ph: 020 7940 1300
Nearest Tube: London Bridge
www.roast-restaurant.com
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Nestled above London's legendary Borough Food Markets, Roast is an elegant place to dine on a Sunday afternoon. With its upmarket minimalist decor (including a massive church-style window that lets in the afternoon sun, creating an airy, spacious feel to the place), traditional British cooking (using organic, locally sourced ingredients), extensive wine list (stored in an impressive glass-fronted cabinet), friendly and attentive service (you wouldn't think you were in London... except for the rude girl on reception that is) and live jazz (a nice added touch), this is one classy establishment.

Whilst there was a very promising full breakfast and lunch menu (with the particularly English option of Boiled Eggs with Marmite Soldiers) we all decided to choose from the set menu - some going for the full three courses! Starting off with a thick and flavoursome (as Alison put it) butternut squash soup the meal got off to a great start. We all then moved onto the roasts for the main course (how could we not) with a selection of tender beef sirloin and yorkshire pud; succulent pork with apple sauce; and roast chicken with a bread sauce. Then we topped it all off with traditional blackberry & apple crumble with ice-cream and custard.. yum! Annie tried the lemon posset, an old English desert, that was served like a creme brulee and tasted like creamy lemon mousse. We all left the restaurant feeling very satisfied and quite ready for a long walk along the South Bank of the Thames to work it all off. The 2 course set menu was £22, 3 courses was £26 and wine by the bottle started at £30. So if you are on a budget, this is not the place for you. But if you are looking for somewhere to celebrate a special occasion, take someone out to impress them, or are just splashing out to treat yourself, then Roast is a sublime choice.

This London Brunch Review was by the Brunch Book Club London. We like to visit great breakfast cafés and brunch restaurants around London and provide independent brunch reviews. We only make recommendations for good brunch places in London such as Roast Restaurant, Borough, just above London's infamous Borough Markets made famous by Jamie Oliver, South London.

Caramel, Victoria

Address: 77 Wilton Road, Victoria, London, SW1V 1DE
Phone: 020 7233 8298
Nearest station: Victoria / Pimlico
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Caramel is a great casual London brunch cafe with modern decor. The brunch menu offers a staggering number of egg and bacon breakfast options including "Traditional English" (with an 'award-winning' cumberland sausage), "Big English" (with two 'award-winning' sausages & bubble-and-squeak), "Salmon Scrambled Eggs", "Cowboy" (with roasted tomato, steak and chunky french fries), "Vegetarian", "Mediterranean" (with grilled garlic sausage, grilled halloumi, olives, salad and a slice of melon) and even a "New York Brekky Salad" with smoked streaky bacon. You can also opt for Blueberry Pancakes and maple syrup, a big BLT, Bacon Sarnie, Fruit Mueslie, Fresh Fruit Salad, Eggs Benedict, or an Omelette with your choice of 3 toppings (including spinach, fetta, bacon and mushroom!) For a lunch option, the menu offers great sandwiches and wraps (my personal fave is the mediterranean wrap with haloumi and pesto - yum!), and fantastic fresh smoothies including Nicole's favourite after a heavy session of yoga, "Body Repair". Freshly squeezed juices and herb teas are also on the menu, and I mean "fresh". The ginger tea came in a pot with fresh ginger chunks and the apple juice had just been blended and was suitably frothy. The staff are very friendly and attentive. The cafe is walking distance from Victoria station. It's a perfect place for brunch or work lunch. Caramel also serves some tasty cocktails perfect for pre-dinner drinks!

This London Brunch Review was by the Brunch Book Club London. We like to visit great breakfast cafés and brunch restaurants around London and provide independent brunch reviews. We only make recommendations for good brunch places in London such as Caramel Brunch Cafe, Victoria, Near Victoria tube and main line train stations, Westminster, Central London.

Chanteroy French Patisserie & Deli, Southfields

Address: 233A Wimbledon Park Road, London, SW18 5RJ
Nearest tube: Southfields
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Chanteroy is a fabulous find. It is a tiny French deli/patisserie that specialises in French pastry and ultra-fresh baguettes. The baguettes are made to order with a variety of fillings including ham, salami, cheese, brie, lettuce and tomato - all are exceptional value (approx £2 to £3). The French staff are very friendly and polite and the service is quick even if the queue goes out the door. Chanteroy Deli has a wide variety of pastries - my favourite being the lemon tart. It also stocks a range of European grocery items. This deli is ideal for picking up a bite to eat for lunch or for morning/afternoon treats. It is also the perfect place for picnic food as it is only a short stroll to Wimbledon Park (5 mins walk). The deli is situated across the road from Southfields Tube Station. Take the exit on the left as you leave the tube station.

This London Brunch Review was by the Brunch Book Club London. We like to visit great breakfast cafés and brunch restaurants around London and provide independent brunch reviews. We only make recommendations for good brunch places in London such as Chanteroy French Patisserie & Deli, Southfields, Near Wimbledon Park, South London.

Lots Road Pub And Dining Rooms, Chelsea Harbour

Address: 114 Lots Road, London, SW10 0RJ
Phone: 020 7352 6645
Nearest tube: Sloane Square and then get the bus down the Kings Road hopping off before the bridge
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More dining room than pub, this little gem is a local favourite for 20-something young professionals living in Chelsea Harbour, South Kensington and the Sands end of Fulham. I say that simply because I don't think I have ever seen anybody in there over 35 on the few times that I have been there. It could have something to do with its "in-the-know" location, being at the funkier Vivienne Westwood end of the Kings Road amongst all of the antique furniture shops. Or perhaps I am just thinking of my friends who go there all the time. Due to all of the long wooden dining tables - set with interesting seating options including a row of reclaimed red velvet cinema chairs - this is a great place to meet up with all of your friends for Sunday lunch... as long as you are prepared to speak loudly over the noise from the other diners. The menu changes everyday and the food is quality English stodge. I opted for my usual Bangers & Mash (they just do them so well here) whilst the others went for similarly hearty options such as shepherds pie, roasted pheasant and creamy rissotto. There are slightly lighter meals on offer including crab salad, fish cakes and roast cod which also went down a treat. The sticky toffee pudding is one of the highlights on the menu as the friendly staff like to boast. But I have to say I am inclined to agree!

This London Brunch Review was by the Brunch Book Club London. We like to visit great breakfast cafés and brunch restaurants around London and provide independent brunch reviews. We only make recommendations for good brunch places in London such as Lots Road Pub and Dining Rooms, just off the Kings Road, Chelsea Harbour, Near Sands End of Fulham, Central London.

Fig & Olive, Islington

Address: 151 Upper Street, Islington, N1 1RA
Breakfast & Lunch: 10:00-18:00
Phone: 020 7354 2605
Nearest Station: Highbury & islington Tube (Victoria line)
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Situated on Upper Street, Islington's foodie mecca, the Fig & Olive faces some pretty steep competition from the likes of Ottolenghi, Carluccio's, and Mr Christian's Deli for brunch. But there is something about the Fig & Olive that makes me walk through its doors everytime... could it be the Mango & White Chocolate Cheesecake cunningly displayed in the window perhaps? They serve a great brunch menu including croissants, pastries, toasted panini's, smoked salmon scrambled eggs, wraps, salads and freshly squeezed juices. The "Big Breakfast" is a treat for £6.50 where you get fried eggs, smoked bacon, mushroom, tomato, sausage, beans and hash brown. They also cater for vegetarians with a "Veggie Quesadilla" and a "Vegetarian Breakfast" which includes fried eggs, vegetarian sausage, beans, mushroom, tomato, grilled halloumi and hashbrown. But if you are hung-over (like we were), on a Sunday (like it was), then you can't go past their roast carvery. The servings are massive, the meat tender, the roast veges flavoursome and the yorkshire puds just scrumptious! Even though we were all completely full from our brunch-come-lunch (we were all late again) everyone still managed to fit in one of the amazing passionfruit creme brulees before rolling home. A contemporary minimalist interior with a few decadent touches - like candelabras, a large gilt-edged mirror and glass atrium - make the Fig & Olive a nice place to spend a Sunday. And if you have a large group, the long wooden dining table at the back of the restaurant seats up to 12.

This London Brunch Review was by the Brunch Book Club London. We like to visit great breakfast cafés and brunch restaurants around London and provide independent brunch reviews. We only make recommendations for good brunch places in London such as the Fig & Olive Brunch Restaurant, Upper Street, Islington, North London.

Smiths of Smithfield (Ground Floor), Farringdon

Address: 67-77 Charterhouse Street, Farringdon, EC1M 6HJ
Brunch: 09:30-17:00
Phone: 020 7251 7997
Nearest Station: Farringdon Tube
www.smithsofsmithfield.co.uk
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Smiths is located in hip Farringdon and rightly so. With its industrial warehouse interior, black leather couches, dj spinning tunes softly-ish in the background and a functioning bar for ordering coffees while you wait to be seated, the ground level cafe-bar is so cool you can't even make a reservation. Its first-come first-served which in real terms means get ready to wait, and wait and wait some more for a space at one of the communal canteen-style tables. Admittedly we had a large group and everyone was late anyway so it wasn't a problem to chill out in the waiting area and sip a blackberry smoothie or three. The food was great and there was a decent choice between a traditional Full English breakfast and something a little healthier like porridge with honey, or even something from the juice bar. And the smoothies - well lets just say that everybody ended up getting a second round as they are pretty damn good. Probably not the best place to try and hold a literary group discussion (it is pretty noisy in there) but a fun place to just catch-up, which is exactly what we did.

If you are trying to find Smiths, its near Smithfield Market, London's traditional meat and poultry market. It sits right next door to London super club Fabric, so you can't miss it. Smiths is actually a 3-level restaurant plus another level for private rooms. You might have to sell an organ to afford to dine on the top level unless you are one of the successful media types that frequent the establishment during the week. But the bottom floor cafe bar is affordable and relaxed, especially on the weekend, making it a great place to get over your Sunday morning hang-over with one of their expertly mixed Bloody Mary's.

This London Brunch Review was by the Brunch Book Club London. We like to visit great breakfast cafés and brunch restaurants around London and provide independent brunch reviews. We only make recommendations for good brunch places in London such as Smith of Smithfields, otherwise known as Smiths, Farringdon, Near Smithfield Markets and Barbican, North - East London.