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.

Notting Hill Brasserie, Notting Hill

Notting Hill Brasserie
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92 Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill Gate, London, W11 2PN
Tel: 0207 229 4481

A perfect combination of traditional Sunday roast AND jazz! The Notting Hill Brasserie is an extremely classy establishment with polished service, hearty fare and an extensive wine list, perfect for a Sunday lunchtime tipple.

The restaurant is set in a beautiful terraced house and if you didn’t know about it you could easily walk on by. It is best visited when the weather is cold and rainy (ok, that doesn’t really narrow it down in London) as the inside setting is warm, cosy and inviting.

You can choose from a set menu of either 2 or 3 courses for £25 or £30 respectively. If roast isn’t your thing, there are plenty of fish and veggie options. My baked halibut was great and and apparently the roasts were pretty good too. Everyone raved about the golden roast potatoes cooked in goose fat. I was full after 2 courses but managed to fit in a third… as did all the others.

Afterwards, we visited the Book Warehouse to pick up some bargain basement books.

The Dove, Hammersmith

The Dove
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19 Upper Mall, Hammersmith, London, W6 9TA
Tel: 020 8748 9474

The Dove has all of the essential ingredients for a quaint riverside pub - bella vistas, hearty fare and a wide variety of ice cold beers on tap. But what I like most is its Guinness Book Of Records claim to fame - it is officially the smallest bar in Britain at a cosy 1.27m x 2.39m!

Established in the 17th century, the Dove has long been a haunt of celeb guests, including Graham Greene, Ernest Hemingway and A.P. Herbert (making it the perfect place to review these authors perhaps?!).

We visited on a slightly chilly day and so sat inside by the roaring log fire. There also happens to be a conservatory area and a patio by the river where you can relax on more summery days. The Dove is also a great spot to view the famous annual University Boat Race between Cambridge and Oxford.

The menu was extensive but we couldn't go past the traditional Sunday roasts that had all the trimmings including Yorkshire Pud. The servings were extremely generous and easily washed down with a couple of jugs of English Pimms.

The Gun, Docklands

Address: 27 Coldharbour, Isle of Dogs, Docklands, London, E14 9NS
Nearest Tube: Supposedly Canary Wharf but get the Docklands Light Rail to Blackwall, its easier.
Ph: 020 7515 5222
email: info@thegundocklands.com
www.thegundocklands.com
View StreetMap.co.uk Map

Location, location, location. Sitting on the outside deck of The Gun and looking out over the water across to the old London docks and the Millenium Dome, is a very special London experience. When it gets too cold outside you can go and sit by the roaring log fire in the pub's 'sitting room' or head to the front bar for a glass of red wine or one of their many English ales. However if it is brunch you are after, head straight to the dining rooms which were once frequented by Sir Admiral Nelson and his mistress.

Our large group was easily accommodated and for once everyone arrived at nearly the same time as each other... though this is probably because we all got lost trying to find The Gun and turned up at least 40 minutes late for our reservation - which the Gun staff were really nice about.** As it was our Christmas BBC, and it was more like lunch by the time we had all arrived, most of us went for the Roast Beef - it was the only roast on the menu and the breakfast options were quite limited. Both meals were quite nice, though Sally said her monkfish ossobuco was dry. The veges on the other hand were superb. The potatoes were crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside, the greens were luscious and juicy and the parsnips.. oh the roast parsnips! We then all moved onto desert. I opted for the apple and blackberry crumble which came with ice-cream. Annie & Alison went for the Lemon brûlée with sable biscuit which they raved about. We then finished the meal off with teas and coffees before swapping Christmas presents and paying the bill (£30 each) and then heading off to try and negotiate our way back to our respective train stations - with a few drinks under our belt mind. In summary, great gastro pub, great location (once you find it), great ambience, nice food, amazing parsnips!

**Note: I later read in the TimeOut Eating Guide that The Gun is popular with the city workers from Bank and Canary Wharf who arrive in a 'procession of black cabs' every lunch time. Note: they all get cabs. Not a bad idea considering that trying to find the place from Canary Wharf tube station is a logistical nightmare. Hence my advice to get the Docklands Light Rail to Blackwall and walk from there, as it only takes about 5 minutes.


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 Gun, Pub & Dining Rooms, Isle of Dogs, Docklands, near Canary Wharf.

Roast, Borough

Address: The Floral Hall, Stoney Street, London, SE1 1TL .
Ph: 020 7940 1300
Nearest Tube: London Bridge
www.roast-restaurant.com
View Streetmap.co.uk Directions

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.

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
View Streetmap.co.uk Directions

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.