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.

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.

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
View Streetmap.co.uk Directions

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.