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.

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.