Louie
Glam gumbo
Louie, in the multi-floor venue that used to be Joël Robuchon, has all the trippings of a hit – hard to book tables, secret bar, decadent but comfortable decor, a lot of ex-Chiltern staff – but they also serve caviar, oysters, grilled lobster with Creole butter, and grits and gumbo for brunch, which is a nice change.
Officina 000
Breakfast pasta
Yes, that’s right. Pasta is not just for lunch/dinner, as proven by Officina’s menu of Bergese carbonara (pasta filled with runny egg yolk, bacon, and onion) and breakfast bruschetta (cured salmon topped with stracciatella and pink peppercorn and chilli fried eggs with padron pepper). There’s also ravioli for dessert – a sweet, fried version and a cacao with ricotta one served with poached pear and cinnamon.
Flor
Borough
It comes as no surprise that Flor, which is run by the co-founders of Michelin-starred Lyle’s, has an innovative brunch menu. Highlights include a smoked eel and sourdough waffle with black figs; mozzarella in carrozza with fried egg and bottarga; baghrir pancake, apple butter with anthotyros; sausage and collard phyllo pies; and turmeric rice, smoked trout and a soft egg. And if you didn’t have to look up any of those ingredients, you’re doing better than we are.
Crisadilla Hangover Kit
Treat yourself
Have you ever heard of something as great as a waffle and croissant mix? This one is stuffed with a chorizo-style pork patty, cheese, mushrooms and mayo with lashings of smoky chipotle tabasco. You also get a Breddo’s Bloody Maria mix (add your own spirits), coffee, extra tabasco and an apron for £30. Almost sounds too good to be true.
Bob Bob Ricard
Short and sweet
To get this one, you’ve got to be quick. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Bob Bob Ricard in Soho has a waffle and bellini hour (11am-midday), where they have sweet and savoury waffles with either a glass of Champagne or a strawberry/peach bellini. This isn’t a discounted hour (dishes are priced separately), but it is a happy one.
Lifestyle: Lists
Top 5: Innovative Brunches
More interesting than avocado and eggs
