Oct
2012
Best of Brunch
I don’t know about you but at the weekend I usually need something to help me get over a Friday night in the H+K bar and what better way to do that than by going for brunch with friends. There is no need to get up early and you can still enjoy all the delights of a weekend breakfast but with much, much more!
The term brunch first appeared in print in 1895 in Hunter’s Weekly and was described as a ‘new meal, served around noon, that starts with tea or coffee, marmalade and other breakfast fixtures before moving along to the heavier fare? By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday-night carousers.’ The author, Guy Beringer goes on to say that it aims to ‘promote happiness in other ways. Brunch is cheerful, sociable and inciting. It is talk-compelling.’
So is it because of this need for a post-hangover meal and the desire to socialise with friends that brunch has become increasingly popular, with restaurants, cafes and gastro pubs responding to this by creating dedicated brunch menus, making the greasy fry-up a thing of the past. So if you are a ‘Saturday-night carouser’ looking for something to brighten up your weekend dining, here is a round-up of my top brunch spots:
The Lido Café in Herne Hill is a lively and bustling cafe that serves great food and in the summer is the perfect spot to sit outside by the pool. They do everything from boiled eggs and soliders through to blueberry buttermilk pancakes, bacon and maple syrup. But be warned, it is a popular spot with the yummy mummys and may not be the best place to sit quietly and nurse a hangover!
For a more adventurous brunch try The Modern Pantry serving dishes such as sweetcorn, green chilli, feta & curry leaf waffles, smoked streaky bacon, roast tomato, avocado, spring onion & yuzu salsa. The reviving cocktail menu is quite extensive and a Japanese Mary or passionfruit bellini might be just the tonic you need. Sit back and enjoy the weekend papers in the very stylish surroundings.
Caravan in Exmouth Market is a relaxed café overlooking the market run by two Kiwis where you can watch the world go by. They have turned their basement into a coffee roaster, so the quality of the coffee is unquestionable and will help kick-start your morning. The menu is reasonably priced and highlights include coconut bread, strawberries, and lemon curd cream cheese and grilled ham, bubble & squeak, two poached eggs & hollandaise.
Lucy Ellis
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