Tom’s Kitchen, Chelsea

Tom’s Kitchen
View a Streetmap
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
View a Streetmap

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.