Brunch | cheriecity.co.uk

The Best Brunch Spots in Newcastle

January 31, 2023 by cheriecity

A Geordie weekend brunch is serious business, so be prepared for some next level scran with killer portion sizes that will set you up for the day. From perfect pancake stacks and French toast to spicy Shakshuka and Eggs Benny, morning food reigns supreme here and the local love for hash browns is real!

Here are some of the best places for an all-day breakfast fix in Newcastle upon Tyne…

Aidan’s Kitchen

Let’s start with a banger… Aidan’s Kitchen is one of my favourite brunch spots not just in Newcastle, but anywhere! This petite cafe on the corner of Starbeck Road in Sandyford is dedicated solely to breakfast and brunch and draws a big crowd every day.

Chef Aidan Jackson takes a creative approach to classic morning dishes and uses top ingredients from local suppliers including Northern Rye. You can enjoy delights such as Jalapeno eggs royale, Shakshuka, French toast and unreal pancake stacks.

Favourites are the rich Beef shin ragu on toasted sourdough with tangy salsa verde and a fried egg and the indulgent Braised ham hock with sautéed field mushrooms, buttery scrambled eggs and smooth hollandaise sauce on toasted sourdough. The full English breakfast is also hard to beat.

It’s essential to find some room for Aidan’s signature pancake stacks loaded with dulce de leche, bananas, chantilly cream and chocolate shavings. They also come in half portions (still monster-sized) so you can share some for dessert.

Gosforth folk can now also get a piece of the breakfast action at newly-opened Little Aidan’s – it’s petite but just as yummy!

Cook House

Local favourite Cook House has long been the crown jewel of Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley and now it has the ultimate recognition from the critics, gaining a prestigious Michelin Plate in 2021.

Chef, author and restaurateur Anna Hedworth started Cook House in two converted shipping containers, after leaving a career in architecture for the kitchens of London’s Rochelle Canteen and Quo Vadis and hosting regular supper clubs.

Cook House now has a permanent home at Foundry Lane Studios, set across two floors with a provisions stores, garden and sunny outdoor terrace. It has a cosy, rustic feel with a striking wall mural, dried flowers and a roaring wood burner. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Cook House’s menu follows the seasons and highlights the best local produce.

We visited for brunch and were impressed with the sizzling skillet of Baked eggs in cream with ham and curried leeks with sourdough toast – so unique and satisfying. We were also wowed by the lighter yet heavenly Spiced pancakes with apple compote, sultanas, almond crumble, Greek yoghurt and honey.

We washed them all down with a flat white and fresh mint tea and they also make home-made shrubs, cordials and syrups.

Kiln

Another Ouseburn gem is Kiln, an all-day cafe, bar and restaurant set in a former car garage just moments away from the canal. As the name reveals, Kiln also houses its own ceramics studio, where potter Jun Rhee creates pots, vases and tableware for clients including the UK’s top Michelin-starred restaurants.

Kiln’s dishes are a mix of Middle Eastern and Northumbrian cuisine – creative and richly-spiced, using ingredients by top local producers and bread made in-house. The menu changes frequently, but we can highly recommend the delicious Flat iron steak with fried egg, salsa verde and sourdough and Sea bass fillet open sandwich with cherry tomatoes and garlic aioli.

The Kiln team have also recently opened Patina, an ambitious restaurant, cafe, bakery and arts space in Edinburgh – one to add to your list for any Scotland trips.

BURDS

BURDS is one of the best places to enjoy brunch in Jesmond, whether it’s on the glorious, leafy sun terrace in the summer or in the cosy Gatehouse cafe during the colder months. Chef Ross Sinclair’s dishes are always super indulgent and generously-sized, using the best local produce from the likes of Charlotte’s Butchery.

Everything we’ve tried at BURDS has been next level, so you can’t go wrong with the Eggs Benny, an induldent grilled cheese with cherry cola ham, shakshuka or my personal favourite, The Muff – a luxury McMuffin dupe with a homemade pork patty, crispy bacon, golden hash brown, fried egg, American cheese and ketchup on a toasted English muffin.

If you have any room left, the counter is filled with delicious baked goods from Pet Lamb Patisserie and nearby Cake Stories.

Smoke & Sear Kitchen

Smoke & Sear Kitchen started as a local food truck and then took up residency at the Quayside’s HWKRMRKT. Its new home on Heaton Road may look like a cute caff with wood-panelled decor, but it is in fact a temple to live-fire cooking over wood and charcoal.

High-welfare meat is sourced from legendary butcher Block + Bottle, just a few doors down, and given the Smoke & Sear treatment in a Josper charcoal oven and wood-fired smoker.

I was wowed by the Steak and eggs – strips of flat iron steak with fried eggs, sweet fire-roasted red pepper sauce and house green sauce. Equally delicious is the Steak supper – strips of bavette steak in signature Newcastle Brown Ale marinade with garlic butter, apple slaw, salsa verde, remoulade sauce and home-made triple-cooked fries. A side of crunchy, salty home-made hash browns is also a must, to scoop up all of those yummy home-made sauces.

Beyond steak, the menu is full of tempting dishes like coconut prawn sandwich, Toon pastrami on Northern Rye sourdough, beer-braised short rib burger and mac ‘n’ cheese bombs.

Harvest Canteen

Harvest is a chilled out coffee house with plenty of outdoor seating on St George’s Terrace in Jesmond. It’s the flagship cafe from Ouseburn Coffee Company (OCC), whose expertly roasted coffee can be found at food markets around the north east, as well as the coffee bar in Fenwick Food Hall.

The Harvest all-day breakfast and brunch menu isn’t huge, but you can find poached eggs on toasted sourdough with a range of toppings, Avocado smash, toasted crumpets, honey granola with yoghurt and berries and scrumptious pancakes with fresh strawberries, ice cream and chocolate sauce.

Cafe 21 at Fenwick

Since opening in 2006, Cafe 21 at Fenwick has been known as Newcastle’s ‘fashion cafe’, tucked away in the corner of the department store’s French Salon, among rails filled with Roksanda, Ganni, Stine Goya and Proenza Schouler.

It’s the more casual daytime offering from Chef Terry Laybourne’s popular restaurant group, which includes the Quayside’s acclaimed 21, St. Vincent and The Broad Chare pub (with a Michelin Bib Gourmand), plus Porterhouse Butcher and Grill and Saltwater Fish Company at Fenwick Food Hall.

They do a fantastic, authentic Croque Madame loaded with gooey cheese, bechamel and honey-roast ham, served with a dressed green salad and cornichons. I usually order it with a side of crispy French fries and a pot of Rington’s Earl Grey Tea. It’s also worth trying the delicious truffle burger, steak frites or the signature Cheddar cheese and spinach souffle.

Flore

For the prettiest brunch in town, look no further than Flore. This dreamy cafe and patisserie in historic Central Arcade has a Parisian feel with pastel pink interiors, hand-painted wall murals, marble counters and chequered floors.

Brunch is varied and generously sized with fluffy foccaccia sandwiches, breakfast tacos and Eggs Benny with pink Hollandaise and Dutch baby pancakes. There’s also an extensive range of colourful lattes and hot chocolate to go with colourful layer cakes, brownies and cookies.

Don’t miss out on the yummy Sirloin steak and fried eggs with caramelised onions and chimichurri on sourdough.

Quay Ingredient

There’s nothing better than a hearty breakfast at local institution Quay Ingredient followed by a brisk walk along the Quayside. It’s a small, cheerful coffee house nestled under the Tyne Bridge, offering well-priced brunch dishes with a few surprises.

The Full English is an epic feast with all of the fixings and should only be attempted if you bring your appetite. Otherwise, go for a traditional Geordie stottie filled with bacon and a fried egg, Dutch pancakes or their creative versions of Eggs Benedict with tempura tiger prawns or confit duck and plum Hollandaise.

Be sure to leave some room for a gooey, molten Nutella brownie, it’s definitely worth it!

Grey Owl

You really can’t miss Grey Owl, as its numerous glass chandeliers bathe elegant Grey Street in a warm, golden glow. This stunning cafe and cocktail bar in a former jewellers next to the Theatre Royal is the little sister of nearby high-end restaurant Hibou Blanc. It’s a stylish spot to start the day over a tasty breakfast, refuel during a shopping trip or enjoy after-work Negronis with a charcuterie board and fresh oysters.

The brunch menu is quite concise, but we found the Eggs Benedict and Turkish Eggs to be high quality and perfectly cooked.

Have you been to any of these Newcastle brunch spots? Where are your favourite places?

All photos by Chérie City

Brunch, Newcastle

A Wonderful Brunch at BURDS Jesmond

October 19, 2021 by cheriecity

Jesmond has another fabulous place to eat out with the recent arrival of BURDS, a stylish all-day cafe and coffee shop on Burdon Terrace.

This cosy neighbourhood gem is in a peaceful part of Newcastle’s leafy suburb, nestled in the Grade II listed Gatehouse of the Fleming building, close to nearby schools and universities. It has a spacious patio terrace for outdoor dining in the warmer months and dogs are also welcome.

Owner Sarah Tod, formerly an art curator and assistant manager of Castle Fine Art Gallery, has added a creative touch to the recently renovated space with gorgeous interiors and attention to small details.

The tempting all-day brunch menu comes courtesy of chef Ross Sinclair, previously at Kith & Kin in Whitley Bay, and ingredients are sourced from the best local producers. You can enjoy classics like Eggs Benny, Nduja baked eggs and Buttermilk fried chicken brioche – all with a bit of a twist.

We visited for brunch, catching the last of the summer sun on the terrace, and ordered a delicious Pink Lane iced latte and a pot of Earl Grey made with Estate Tea Co. loose-leaf tea. It wasn’t long before our food arrived and it was pretty epic!

I couldn’t resist The Muff – a towering, Insta-worthy version of the famous McMuffin but made with top quality meat from Charlotte’s Butchery in Gosforth. The fluffy, toasted English muffin was packed with a succulent, herby homemade pork patty, thick and crispy bacon, a golden hash brown, a perfectly fried egg, lots of gooey American cheese & ketchup.

Another hit was the Grilled cheese with Charlotte’s Butchery ham cooked in cherry cola. The thick-cut slices of sourdough bread were fried in butter until golden and packed with generous chunks of sweet, juicy ham and a tasty blend of creamy, gooey cheeses.

grilled cheese sandwich and breakfast muffin on a table

Both dishes were absolutely scrumptious and ever so indulgent. We were left with no room at all for dessert, but if you can manage it, the counter is filled with baked goods from Pet Lamb Patisserie and Cake Stories.

BURDS is a brilliant new addition to Jesmond and clearly a lot of thought has been put into the experience, from the colourful pottery plates and gold cutlery to the well-crafted menu and focus on local produce. I’ll definitely be returning for burger night and to try some of the new autumn dishes.

BURDS is currently offering 50% off food and drink on north east-based social media app, Snapsaver.

All images by Chérie City

Brunch, London

Brunch at Monty’s Deli in Hoxton

August 28, 2018 by cheriecity

I’ve often envied New Yorkers who are surrounded by a wealth of delis and able to call a local one their own. The joy of wolfing down a sandwich packed full of hot cured meat at the counter, however, is now a lot closer to home at Monty’s Deli, the east London Jewish deli that opened just last year.

Owner Mark Ogus developed a loyal following on the London’s street food scene at Maltby Street Market and Bermondsey Arch before setting up his dream deli in an old Hoxton bakery with chef Owen Barratt. Named after Mark’s grandfather Monty, this friendly neighbourhood deli is all about authentic, time-honoured Jewish soul food, with more than a dash of Shoreditch cool.

Everything is made from scratch at Monty’s, including the house-cured meats, the boiled-then-baked bagels, meticulously-plaited chocolate babka and even mustard. That’s what makes it particularly special, leading those ‘in the know’ to compare it to New York’s famous Katz’s Deli, 2nd Ave Deli and Canter’s in LA.

Like many Londoners, Brick Lane’s Beigel Bake is my go-to spot for an overflowing salt beef bagel, however there are some gaps in my knowledge of Jewish cuisine. I was keen to try latkes, real-deal chicken soup with matzah balls and dispell the notion that I don’t like pastrami – all of which were ticked off the list in one big brunch.

Monty’s Deli is best-known for its signature sandwiches, including a Reuben, Mensch or Meshuggener, however weekend brunch brings more of a twist to the classics. Eggs feature prominently, as well as French toast, bagel boards and a loaded hot dog.

We started with a bowl of Chicken soup, which was comforting with a meaty, schmaltzy flavour and much less salt than I’d expected. Slow-cooked over two days, the soup was filled with springy yet dense kneidlach made with matzah meal, short silken noodles and chunky carrot, topped with fresh dill. You can also order the Big soup, which is served in a tureen and can easily feed four.

Salt beef, latkes and eggs was a great brunch all-rounder. The house-cured salt beef was flaky, moist and just the right side of fatty with an aromatic juniper flavour. The generously-sized latkes had a golden, crunchy exterior with a soft shredded potato centre and they went perfectly with the orange-yolk free-range eggs and light coleslaw with a drizzle of hot sauce.

Another hit was a New York brunch staple – Pastrami egg & cheese. The pastrami was tender with a smoky, peppery flavour and the egg was fluffy with an oozing centre, all packed inside a soft, glazed challah bun and finished nicely with a slice of Swiss cheese and a slick of punchy mustard. It was so satisfying and flavourful and turned out to be my unexpected favourite dish.

We washed everything down with some really good Iced teas packed with lemon and fresh mint. Of course, it would be mad to leave without a bag of bagels from the take-out counter, as well as slices of the most fantastic babka, plaited with high-quality dark chocolate.

Monty’s Deli is the kind of place that leaves you planning your next visit, whether it’s for an enormous Reuben special or Baked cheesecake and filter coffee. In fact, it will soon be even easier to get your hands on one of their bagels, as Monty’s Deli is set to expand across London and eventually nationwide, following a successful crowd-funding campaign. Now that’s something to be excited about!

All photos by Cherie City

Brunch, London

An Amazing Brunch at Nobu Shoreditch

May 31, 2018 by cheriecity

Nobu Shoreditch has been on my wish list since it opened last year, so I was super excited that Steven had booked us in for brunch on my birthday. Nobu may already be a London institution, but there’s something a bit special about its Shoreditch sister.

Nobu Hotel Shoreditch is the first European hotel by the global brand’s inimitable founders, actor Robert De Niro and master chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Tucked away on Willow Street it certainly has a striking look and features 148 guest rooms, spa, fitness studio, the famous high-end Japanese-Peruvian restaurant and a new relaxed Nobu Café in the lobby.

It was hard to predict whether brunch would have a chilled or party vibe on a warm bank holiday weekend (there is a DJ booth after all), but the restaurant felt calm with most guests basking in the sun in the outdoor courtyard. We were kindly given a choice of tables and opted for a cool and cosy booth, strategically in view of the open kitchen.

Weekend brunch at Nobu Shoreditch is a luxurious affair and includes one main dish each as well as edamame and unlimited access to a bountiful brunch and dessert bar. There’s a generous choice of dishes to choose from and I was thrilled to see Nobu’s signature Black cod den miso as an option, especially as it’s a cool £42 on the a la carte menu.

Matcha waffle and chicken with smoked maple tosazu and pecan miso butter was a spin on a brunch classic that actually worked really well. The chicken was succulent and crispy with a well-seasoned panko coating while the waffles had an intense matcha flavour and were complemented by the sweet butter and tangy, piquant sauces.

The brunch-size portion of Black cod den miso was tender and perfectly-cooked with sticky, caramelised miso edges – possibly the best I’ve ever tasted. Other tempting main dishes include rock shrimp tempura, beef tenderloin with scrambled eggs and the indulgent Matsuhisa Benedict.

The sushi counter was managed meticulously with an impressive selection of high-quality cold bites constantly replenished. Beef tenderloin ‘new style’ was very moreish (I lost track on how many pieces we ate) and we loved the melt-in-the-mouth Salmon sushi, California rolls, Shrimp tempura rolls, chilled Yellowtail sashimi and the artfully-presented Mushroom sushi. There was also a fresh salad station with assorted leaves and dressings, Crispy rice cubes and Spicy prawn served in decorative shells.

Filling up on sushi is all too easy, but it’s worth leaving some room for the excellent Japanese patisserie. Highlights were a velvety chocolate matcha tart, decadent matcha profiteroles and exquisite full-size macarons in a trio of flavours – sesame, matcha and wasabi miso. We also enjoyed lemon raspberry tart, matcha dorayaki, strawberry mousse with sake jelly and a variety of freshly-baked muffins, mini pastries, cookies and fresh cut fruit. If only we had space to squeeze in a slice of Nobu cheesecake – that will definitely haunt me now!

Brunch at Nobu really surpassed expectations and I was impressed by the offering of high-end dishes, efficient service and attention to detail, from the gorgeous tableware to the well-curated soundtrack. Dinner at Nobu can be eye-wateringly expensive, but the brunch poses good value, as you can graze on a number of the restaurant’s greatest hits and leave feeling more than satisfied. I’ll definitely be back soon to try the Nobu Cafe too – on the way out I spotted a rather fabulous dessert trolley and matcha soft serve!

Weekend brunch at Nobu Shoreditch is served from 11.30am to 3pm and is priced at £45 per person, including one main dish and unlimited access to brunch and dessert bar. For £55 you can add a glass of wine or Champagne and £75 gets you unlimited Prosecco, Aperol Spritz or Lychee elderflower martini for the duration of 2 hours. For more information and booking, visit: www.nobuhotelshoreditch.com

All photos by Chérie City

Brunch, London

Brunch at I Will Kill Again, Hackney

January 7, 2018 by cheriecity

I always get excited about trying a new brunch spot, especially if it’s right on the doorstep, but we really struck gold with I Will Kill Again in Hackney.

Tucked under a Homerton railway arch, I Will Kill Again is an all-day cafe based inside Dark Arts Coffee, a specialty roaster that’s been open since 2014. It takes inspiration from the Antipodean coffee shops that its Australian and Kiwi owners know so well and manages to have a relaxed vibe even when its packed full.

It’s a cafe that’s hard to define, but their appreciation for metal, the occult and biker culture sits pretty comfortably with good coffee, avocados and vegan pastries. In fact, much of the menu is vegan, but they also offer dishes with pancetta, nduja and smoked salmon from top producers. No need to overthink the concept, just go with an empty belly, because believe me, they will feed you!

For brunch, we both went for the Black molasses cured pancetta and egg toastie with Ballymaloe relish, fried tomato and rosemary potato rosti. We rarely opt for the same dish, but the salmon special had just sold out and in that moment of pressure in the already long queue, it was easier to ask for the ‘same again’.

Just as well, really, because there would’ve been serious food envy when this monster was brought to the table. Calling it simply a ‘toastie’ seems like an understatement as this was sandwich art at its very best!

We were treated to no less than five thick rashers of sticky-sweet, smoky pancetta with a perfect fried egg and an extra-large, herby and golden potato rosti. This was complemented by a juicy tomato coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and a game-changing home-made relish with pickled gooseberries and tangy tomato. It was absolutely heavenly with so many contrasting flavours that elevated it beyond your usual brunch sandwich.

It also went really well with a side of smashed avocado (there’s more than enough to share it), as the cool velvety texture and fresh chives brought a touch of freshness.

As expected, the Flat White was exception – rich roasted, creamy and mellow. Dark Arts Coffee only produces single origin coffee, so it’s a good place to try something different from the more widely-used blends. The loose-leaf Earl Grey tea was top notch too.

Brunch at I Will Kill Again was pretty epic and I liked that it was excellent value with super-friendly staff and a great soundtrack (not actually metal, if you’re wondering). I can’t wait to go back and try some of the vegan dishes and those tempting-looking brownies.

I Will Kill Again at Dark Arts Coffee is open from 10am-4.30pm from Thursdays to Sundays only.

All photos by Chérie City

Brunch, London

Brunch at Lantana Cafe London Bridge

December 7, 2017 by cheriecity

Lantana Cafe has become quite an institution in London, known for its indulgent brunch, colourful and spicy sharing plates and delectable home-baked cakes.

Inspired by the Australian coffee scene, the first Lantana Cafe was established in 2008 and its locations include Fitzrovia, Shoreditch and most recently London Bridge. Just around the corner from Borough Market, the shiny new all-day cafe/restaurant is set across two floors in a beautifully-restored 19th century building with a high ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows.

We visited for brunch on a busy Saturday soon after it opened and sat at a comfy booth next to a pretty mural of Australia’s iconic lantana plant. Despite being packed full, it already felt like a slick operation and the friendly staff struck the perfect balance of laid-back and efficient.

As a matcha addict, I was tempted by the French toast with matcha sugar, fresh mixed berries, raspberry and crème fraîche (you can also add bacon as an extra). It was absolutely delicious and generously sized – the perfect choice if you’re in the mood for something sweet to start the day.

The thick-cut brioche French toast was fluffy and soft with flavours of caramelised vanilla and matcha, plus the berries and creme fraiche gave it a hint of sharpness. There could have been a little more matcha to give it a bolder flavour, but I didn’t find it lacking at all.

Steven went for the epic Corn fritters stacked with streaky bacon, fresh spinach, roast tomatoes, smashed avocado and lemon crème fraîche with a poached egg. The golden, crispy corn fritters had a slight red chilli kick and went perfectly with the smokiness of the bacon, the velvety avocado and aromatic lemon crème fraîche. It’s quite a monster of a brunch dish, so you’ll need to bring your appetite.

The flat white made with Alchemy coffee was rich and smooth and I liked the loose-leaf Earl Grey served in a cute red teapot.

Lantana Cafe is a great spot for a delicious brunch in a relaxed setting slightly away from Borough’s busiest area. I can’t wait to go back and try more of the menu, leaving room for a few of those cakes.

Chérie City was a guest of Lantana Cafe

Photos by Chérie City

Brunch, Hotels, London, Restaurants

Le Brunch at The Balcon, Sofitel London St James

June 1, 2015 by cheriecity

Weekends don’t get much better than when brunch is involved. Especially when it’s a lazy, late and luxurious brunch, so you can catch a few extra hours of beauty sleep (or recover from the excesses of Saturday night).

If you like your Sunday brunch with an air of sophistication, The Balcon at Sofitel London St. James has just launched its fabulous new Le Brunch menu. Classic French dishes are given a creative twist and feature alongside brunch favourites, American-inspired dishes and lighter, healthy options.

We visited the elegant Russell Sage-designed restaurant for a long, mid-afternoon brunch and were seated at a lovely corner booth with views over elegant Waterloo Place. We were warmly greeted by the delightful staff, who explained the menu and chatted to us about our weekend.

The special brunch drinks are just as exciting as the food, including a Kir selection from the Champagne Bar, potent coffee and rum-based cocktails, alcoholic milkshakes and frappé coffees.

I chose a Kir with Pear Liqueur and Bulgare tea (£10), which was sweet, fragrant and refreshing, served chilled in a large wine glass with fresh raspberries. I really enjoyed the white wine in the Kir, but you could ask for a Kir Royale if you prefer to start the brunch with Champagne.

Steven tried the Black Russian milkshake (£8) made with dark rum, Mozart chocolate liqueur, chocolate ice cream and milk. It was decadent yet light and milky and just boozy enough.

To start, we were brought two slices of savoury cake – a bold Mediterranean-style black olive tapenade flavour and a richer, more French ham and cheese. We were fans of both and thought they were an interesting alternative to the usual bread basket, however a mountain of freshly-baked bread rolls with French butter soon followed too!

While we were waiting for our first dishes, we had a long chat with our lovely waitress Neslihan about her native Turkey and she recommended a contemporary Persian singer that she had recently seen live at Barbican. She kept us entertained until our food arrived and it was so nice to build a rapport with the staff – everyone in the restaurant was treated like regulars.

I couldn’t resist trying the Duck Eggs Benedict with Bayonne ham and green asparagus. This was one of the best Eggs Benedict I’ve ever had. The duck eggs were poached to perfection with runny, vibrant orange yolks and were perched atop fluffy toasted English muffins, steamed chunky asparagus spears and a generous amount of flavoursome, freshly-carved Bayonne ham.

Steven went for the more indulgent Grilled jerk marinated steak and fried egg with cornmeal waffle and home-made barbecue sauce (£4 supplement). The juicy, succulent medium-cooked steak was well-seasoned and had a delicious flame-grilled taste. It went well with the crispy, grainy and slightly sweet cornmeal waffles and the fried egg and tangy, smoky barbecue sauce finished it nicely.

To follow, I ordered a quintessentially British dessert with a French flourish – Raspberry macaron Eton Mess. It was a heavenly, whimsical dessert with lightly whipped, vanilla-scented Chantilly cream, fresh raspberries and soft, chewy raspberry-flavoured macaron pieces. I couldn’t help thinking of Marie-Antoinette with each mouthful – she certainly would’ve approved of this dessert.

Warm chocolate and ginger tart with milk ice cream was another high point of the meal. The luxurious chocolate fondant had a soft cake texture and oozed molten dark chocolate infused with aromatic ginger. As it that wasn’t mind-blowing enough, it was set on a fine, buttery pastry base and topped with cool, light milk ice cream.

We finished our brunch with pots of Earl Grey and Jasmine Pearl tea, which were served in my favourite Sofitel Asian-style cast iron teapots (one day I will have one of my own, as well as a Sofitel SoBed).

Le Brunch at The Balcon is a fabulous way to make the most of your weekend. The menu is full of tempting dishes and the top notch food leaves you feeling full and satisfied without being too much. With such chic surroundings, notable service and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect choice for a memorable brunch.

Le Brunch at The Balcon is priced at £20 per person for two courses and is available from 12pm to 4pm every Sunday.

Chérie City was invited by The Balcon

Photos by Chérie City (interiors by The Balcon)

Brunch, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, London, Restaurants

Sunday Brunch at Le Méridien Piccadilly

August 14, 2014 by cheriecity

Sunday Brunch is quickly becoming an established London ritual with so many different cuisines and concepts to choose from.

For a truly indulgent Sunday, the best luxury brunch can be found at the Terrace Grill & Bar at Le Méridien Piccadilly. The three-course brunch is set out as a bountiful buffet with hot and cold options and a live carving station. As it that wasn’t enough, free-flowing Prosecco makes the experience even more decadent.

When we arrived, brunch was already in full swing and almost every table in the main dining room was taken up by ‘in the know’ brunchers. It attracts a well-heeled, convivial crowd of local couples, families and friends as well as hotel guests.

Our table overlooked the elegant Moet & Chandon Summer Terrace, with striped deck chairs, striped deck chairs, white and gold life rings and parasols.

A talented singer performed acoustic jazz and soul classics with her guitarist while the lovely Valentino worked the room, topping up the glasses of Prosecco and chatting with guests. What could be more fabulous for a lazy Sunday!

The different brunch courses are divided into separate stations with the dessert table on its own on the lower mezzanine. We started with a few bites from the salad station station, which offers poached salmon Nicoise salad, cured hams and salami, smoked salmon, pickled red cabbage, potato salad, spicy cous cous salad and a choice of dressings.

The roast turkey and prosciutto ham were delicious and I couldn’t resist adding some Brie and Gruyère from the dessert station to make up a charcuterie and cheese plate.

The tapas and bowl food station includes hummus, marinated olives, sweet tomato confit, peppered mackerel spread and Caesar salad.

I particularly liked the fresh and tangy crayfish, asparagus and mango cocktail. The Italian-style tomato, mozzarella and pesto salad was also summery and light enough not to fill you up before the hot dishes.

The highlight of the brunch is the live carvery station, where you can make up a Sunday roast with a variety of slow-cooked meats straight from the oven. The chef carves slices of roast sirloin beef, roast leg of lamb and roast chicken to order and you can even choose which cuts you prefer.

The roast sirloin beef was tender and juicy while the roast chicken was succulent and infused with fresh herbs. I accompanied the meat with some fluffy, crispy Yorkshire puddings, aromatic lemon and herb stuffing, herb roasted potatoes, slow-roasted carrots, creamy carrot and swede mash, steamed mixed greens and a generous amount of rich gravy.

The hot buffet also includes a soup of the day, mushroom risotto with truffle oil, gnocchi and breakfast items such as sausages, bacon and hash browns. It’s tempting to overload on the roasts, or even go back for seconds, but the other main dishes are ever so tasty and worth trying.

Be sure to save lots of room for dessert, as the generous array of colourful sweets is just so tempting.

Start with Chef’s Mum’s recipe Apple Crumble with lashings of fresh custard. It’s a classic done extremely well with plenty of juicy apples stewed with cinnamon and an exemplary, crunchy crumble topping.

The main feature is the selection of exquisite éclairs in flavours including lemon, chocolate, coffee, pistachio, strawberry and vanilla. They were delicious and perfectly bite-size – a nod to the hotel’s contemporary French style.

Those with a sweet tooth will love the home-baked cupcakes and the velvety smooth strawberry and chocolate dessert pots. Of course, you can still work towards your five-a-day with luscious, exotic fresh fruit.

The Terrace Grill & Bar is a perfect spot for a stylish Sunday Brunch with excellent food and a lively, warm atmosphere. I liked that you can get up and walk around between courses and set the meal at your own pace. It’s a relaxed style of brunch that I would happily go back to again and again.

Sunday Brunch at the Terrace Grill & Bar at Le Méridien Piccadilly is priced at £39 per person, £49 with a free flow of Prosecco.

Chérie City was a guest of Le Méridien Piccadilly

Photos by Chérie City (interiors by Le Méridien Piccadilly)

Brunch, London, Restaurants

Sunday Jazz Brunch at Chotto Matte, Soho

June 10, 2014 by cheriecity

Chotto Matte is a three-floor Japanese-Peruvian restaurant that opened towards the end of last year in Soho.

The slick, colourful restaurant serves its own take on Nikkei cuisine – an interesting mix of ceviche, tiraditos, gyoza and robata grill dishes. Rather than keeping the two cooking styles separate, the ingredients are woven together in the dishes, creating some unique combinations.

Chotto Matte is the latest project from Kurt Zdesar, former manager at Nobu and founder of the hugely successful Ping Pong chain. While it’s known for its barbecued meat and refreshing cocktails, Chotto Matte has just launched a new Sunday Jazz Brunch with a new menu to match.

We recently visited just after midday on Sunday when Soho felt like it was still waking up after a typical Saturday bender. People were already queuing across the road for a coveted seat at Barrafina and I couldn’t help feeling a little smug that we were already sipping drinks before they could cross through the door.

While Chotto Matte may look like a shiny night-time spot, with its sleek black interiors and anime graffiti walls, it actually works well in the light of day. It was lovely to sit near the window and do some Soho people-watching while listening to glorious live jazz from the excellent trio by the bar.

We started our brunch by ordering some juices. I enjoyed a deliciously fresh and sweet lychee juice while Steven ordered a refreshing pineapple juice. To accompany the brunch is a new selection of healthy fruit and vegetable juices and the essential brunch classic – a Bloody Mary with a twist.

For a Sunday brunch treat, I was tempted by The Chotto Breakfast (£19.50). The large breakfast came with two succulent chicken and apricot sausages, which were juicy, well-seasoned and pleasantly sweet. They were accompanied by slices of succulent but perhaps a little over-done pieces of beef fillet tataki on a bed of spicy cassava puree. The chorizo beans were tasty with thin slivers of punchy chorizo and I liked the addition of grilled flat mushrooms and colourful, fragrant vine tomatoes.

Eggs are cooked however you want them and my poached egg was perfectly cooked and garnished with crispy sage. The BBQ toast sounded interesting but was simply wholemeal toast done on the robata grill.

It’s the kind of dish that didn’t seem like it would be spicy, but I could detect a slight kick from the meats.

Steven went for the Beef Fillet Sanguche (£16.75). The enormous, crispy yet fluffy rolls were packed full of lean, spicy beef fillet marinated in spiced and cooked medium. It was complemented by a fried egg, a piquant smoked panca sauce, mushrooms, red onion and baby gem lettuce.

The hefty sandwich came with a side of thick-cut, home-made cassava fries served in a typically Japanese wooden box (usually used for Sake) with more of the smoked panca dip. They cassava fries were a welcome alternative to potato fries with a slightly earthy flavour and less oil.

Either we hadn’t worked up an appetite yet that day, or the brunch dishes were very filling, as we both couldn’t manage a dessert. I really regret this now, as the desserts sound so decadent and inventive, particularly the Pisco Baba with poached nashi pear and dulce de leche ice cream or the Brulee de la Passion – an almond pyramid with aji amarillo gel and guava sorbet.

We did finish with some lovely, uplifting fresh mint tea, with was served in an attractive Japanese pot.

I’d quite like to revisit Chotto Matte for dinner to try Nikkei cuisine in its purest form, as I can’t help thinking the Japanese element was slightly muted on the brunch menu. Some of the dishes can be a little pricey, but the surroundings are stylish and the staff were so charming and friendly.

Sunday Jazz Brunch at Chotto Matte is a great way to make the weekend last that little bit longer in Soho, particularly if you can handle a bit of spice with your eggs.

For more information and booking, visit: www.chotto-matte.com

Chérie City was invited by Chotto Matte

All photos by Chérie City

Brunch, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, New York, Restaurants

Asiate Brunch, Mandarin Oriental New York

July 23, 2013 by cheriecity

What could be better than spending a lazy Saturday in New York over an indulgent brunch looking out over Central Park?

Asiate at Mandarin Oriental New York has an enviable position, perched on the 35th floor of the Time Warner Center, by Columbus Circle. The spectacular floor to ceiling views are matched with exquisite food and a tantalising contemporary Asian and American brunch menu.

Arriving a little early, we took some time to wander around the 35th floor of Mandarin Oriental New York and stopped to admire the curved lobby’s stunning Dale Chihuly glass sculpture. The Lobby Lounge was also buzzing with weekenders enjoying afternoon tea and dim sum bento boxes.

Asiate is an elegant, expansive restaurant whose minimal-luxe design lets the views do the talking. The large tables feature comfortable seating and guests can dine overlooking the south-west corner of Central Park by the window, or nestled in an intimate booth to the sides of the room.

While Asiate is all about clean lines with dark wood highlights, the centrepiece of the restaurant is a beautiful silver tree branch sculpture, referencing the trees of Central Park in winter. Another interesting design point is the wall of wines, including over 1300 bottles.

Chef de Cuisine Angie Berry’s weekly-changing brunch menu features a well-edited selection of seasonal classics with an innovative twist.

We were warmly welcomed by the attentive, friendly staff and swiftly set up with a bottle of chilled still water, a choice of artisan breads and a glass of Champagne. Asiate’s semi-set menu brunch is a fun concept, serving three courses in smaller tasting portions. The starter and dessert plates are chosen weekly by Chef Berry and guests can choose two dishes for their main course.

We started with the beautifully-presented Gourmandise Tasting, made up of four bento dishes. The Cauliflower Veloute with smoked bacon foam and chives was thick, creamy and ever so smooth. Ahi Tuna Poke, avocado crème and wasabi-sesame tempura was plump and fresh while the Farmhouse Frittata with country sausage, goats cheese and roasted tomatoes was light, bubbly and full of strong flavours.

My favourite bite was the Miso Chilled Shrimp with green papaya and mango salad with ginger dressing, which was succulent, aromatic, well-marinated and so tasty.

Following the Gourmandise Tasting, we enjoyed a refreshing palate-cleanser of home-made Mango Sorbet.

As we ordered only savoury dishes for our main courses, Asiate’s pastry chef kindly sent us a scrumptious Belgian Waffle with berries, whipped vanilla cream and Vermont maple syrup that also features on the menu. It was a heavenly treat between courses and worth ordering as part of brunch.

For my main course, I went for a duo of Croque Madame with sunny-side-up egg, grilled country ham, red watercress, bechamel sauce and toasted sourdough and Cavatelli with pancetta, mushrooms, parmesan cheese, garden herbs and parmesan broth.

The Croque Madame was deliciously rich and decadent, smothered in thick bechamel. It was the perfect French classic but with an interesting addition of sun-dried tomato jam spread on the sourdough, giving it a tangy edge.

The Cavatelli was cooked perfectly al dente and was accompanied with chunky, meaty pancetta, silky mushrooms and torn garden herbs. The parmesan broth was well-seasoned and light and the roughly-cut parmesan finished the dish nicely.

Steven ordered the Grilled NY Steak with market vegetables and the Eggs Benedict BLT with soft-poached egg, pancetta, arugula, heirloom tomatoes and bacon hollandaise.

The sliced medium-cooked steak was tender and nicely charred, served with sauteed courgette and slow-roasted carrot. The Eggs Benedict BLT was another rich dish with thick pieces of pancetta, lashings of peppery bacon hollandaise and a perfectly-cooked poached egg.

Dessert was a delicious duo of Double Chocolate Crème brûlée and Strawberry Lemon Shortcake – ideal if you find it hard to decide between chocolate and fruit. The luxurious crème brûlée custard was velvety smooth and made using 64% semi-sweet chocolate and 70% dark chocolate. The caramelised natural sugar had a thick, crisp crust and was topped with two biscuit curls.

The Strawberry Lemon Shortcake was a lighter affair with infused sponge cake, lemon curd cream, strawberry glaze and wild strawberry sauce. It was delicate, zesty and light as air – the ideal dessert after an epic brunch.

We finished with a pot of fresh mint tea and lingered a little to soak up the last of the incredible Central Park views. Before leaving, we were invited to fill a little lime green take-away box with cookies, biscotti and candy, as a sweet souvenir of our visit. It was a lovely touch, putting the cherry on the top of a fabulous afternoon that ended with a marathon walk around Central Park.

Brunch at Asiate is a wonderful experience that tourists and New Yorkers can delight in equally. The food is outstanding, the menu is exciting and the small plate concept allows you to sample lots of different tastes and still leave feeling happily full. I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather spend a lazy weekend afternoon in Manhattan.

Brunch is priced at $54 and speciality cocktails are $19. For more information and booking, visit: www.mandarinoriental.com

Chérie City was a guest of Mandarin Oriental New York

For more New York travel ideas, read my review of:

Beijing, Brunch, Restaurants

A Wonderful Brunch at Temple Beijing

June 17, 2013 by cheriecity

Temple Restaurant Beijing is one of the most exciting, stylish restaurants in the city and a real must for design lovers.

The award-winning restaurant is housed in a 600 year old Ming Dynasty Tibetan temple which was renovated in 2008 and given a contemporary new look by Australian architectural and design firm, Hassell.

Temple Restaurant Beijing is tucked away among the hutongs of an unassuming residential Dongcheng street, close to the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park and the National Art Museum of China. It can be tricky to find, particularly as there are no signposts or visible branding. Well-dressed staff were waiting outside to escort us to the restaurant, however, I can imagine it would be a marvellous discovery if you stumbled upon the restaurant by yourself.

The man behind the restaurant is Ignace Lecleir, the Belgian former General Manager of Maison Boulud in Beijing, whose concept for the complex includes several event and gallery spaces and this year’s new opening, The Temple Hotel.

The sleek dining room is in a modern annex that was once a television factory, creating the capital’s first black and white TV. Floor to ceiling windows, vibrantly coloured Scandinavian furniture and striking artworks punctuate the minimalist space. Even the black slate bathrooms are sexy and luxurious, with low lighting and a small Buddha puffing incense smoke out of his mouth.

Service at TRB (as it’s locally known) is exemplary, with waitresses all in elegant teal chiffon dresses and suited waiters darting to the table to deliver each course, top up water and push in our chairs every time we moved.

The menu at TRB is contemporary European and the wine list is predominantly French, boasting some excellent wines, including Bordeaux, Burgundy and my favourite Sauternes.

We were lucky enough to be in town on the weekend and enjoyed a boozy Saturday brunch, including wines paired with each course. The fabulous brunch began with glass of Bollinger Champagne and a sharing plate of freshly-baked, flaky pastries with jams and honey.

The first course of White Wine Poached Shrimps and Avocado was mouth-wateringly delicious. The poached shrimps were very fresh and lightly marinated and were perfectly complemented by the cool, crushed avocado.

Duck Egg en Cocotte, Foie Gras, Artichoke and Bacon was a light and tasty dish. The duck egg was slow-cooked and the artichoke and bacon added plenty of flavour. The long garlic artisan bread twists came in handy for scooping up the yolk.

Sea Bass, Spinach and Curry Oil was a delicate dish with clean flavours. The fish was fresh and succulent and the dash of curry oil added a subtle kick.

The Roast Chicken and Grilled Asparagus was juicy and tender with a crispy, golden layer of skin. The chicken was served on a bed of spinach and a rich jus while the asparagus was nicely charred.

The Lychee Mousse dessert looked pretty with powder pink icing sugar adorning the plate, however, it was a little disappointing. The mousse was unexpectedly frozen and didn’t taste very much like lychee, although I did like the sticky top layer of lychee milk jam.

The meal ended on a high note with a delightful selection of chocolate truffles and assorted fruity marshmallows. We enjoyed a pot of fresh mint tea and relaxed a little longer before hitting the next stop on our itinerary.

As we were leaving, the staff brought us a bottle of Temple Restaurant Beijing branded water each for our travels. We couldn’t resist a few photo opps with the outdoor sculptures of the crouching men, deep in thought.

TRB is a leader of Beijing’s thrilling fine dining restaurant scene and the experience is both memorable and impressive. While the restaurant is undoubtedly high end, the prices can be quite reasonable, particularly for the set lunch menu. Someday, I would love to return for dinner, as the temple locations looks particularly captivating at night.

For menus and booking, visit: www.temple-restaurant.com

Chérie City was a guest of Temple Restaurant Beijing and Shangri-La Hotels

Photos by Chérie City (evening exterior by TBR)

Brunch, Hotels, Hotels - Design, Hotels - Luxury, London, Restaurants

Dim Sum Brunch at Asia de Cuba, London

May 1, 2013 by cheriecity

Weekend brunches seem to have replaced Sunday roasts as my new favourite London dining habit. Really, what could be better than a lazy Sunday afternoon filled with delicious dim sum, exotic cocktails and a live Cuban band?

Sunday Dim Sum Brunch at Asia de Cuba, St Martins Lane Hotel, is fun and sociable with baskets of steamed or fried treats to share. I adore the design of Asia de Cuba – it’s bright and airy and has the atmosphere of an art gallery, with black and white photographs adorning the walls and plush booth seating.

We started with cocktails and ordered a Dragon’s Twist – Aba Pisco shaken with fresh lychees, dragon fruit & elderflower liqueur, finished with a dash of ginger beer (£12.50). This juicy cocktail was very easy to drink and had lots of tiny crunchy black seeds from the the dragon fruit – for an alcoholic drink, it tasted rather healthy.

We liked it so much that we went for the same again, but another signature brunch cocktail is the Spiced Mango – Chinese pear infused Sake shaken with fresh mango, home-made chilli, basil sugar & a hint of lime (£12.50).

I’m not a huge fan of ceviche, but if you want to start with something light, the Ceviche Tasting (four for £28) looked colourful, fresh well-presented. Instead, we saved room for basket after basket of scrumptious dim sum served in threes.

My favourites were the Chicken, Spring Onion & Ginger Wontons (£5.50), Pot Roast Pork Belly Buns (£5), Lobster Chive & Coriander Shu Mai (£6.50) and Tiger Prawn Potstickers (£6). The moreish little parcels were packed full of succulent meat and seafood and weren’t at all greasy or heavy like dim sum can sometimes be. They were served with a trio of mouthwatering dipping sauces that complemented the flavours.

Another highlight were the plump and crispy Crab Croquetas with jicama, mango and mirin infused slaw and roasted red pepper rémoulade (a slightly pricey £19).

We also enjoyed the Miso Black Cod & Snow Pea Spring Rolls (£6.50) and Shanghai Vegetable Spring Rolls (£5) – they were light and crunchy with a nice grainy coating. I wasn’t so keen on the texture of the Steamed Oxtail & Kimchee Dumplings (£6.50) and found the Bok Choi, Bamboo Shoot & Chilli Potstickers (£5) overwhelmingly aromatic, but I loved all of the other dishes that I tried.

It’s essential to leave some room for dessert – you wouldn’t want to miss the heavenly Mexican Doughnuts – sweet brioche donuts rolled in cinnamon sugar filled with butterscotch sauce (£6.50).

The light and fluffy bite-size doughnuts were filled with oozing, warm butterscotch sauce – a light and satisfying treat to end the meal. Having an allergy to coffee, I could only stare longingly at the Cuba Coffee Brownie with fudge sauce, Kahlua glaze and fudge brownie ice cream (£6.50) – it looked wickedly good.

Dim Sum Brunch at Asia de Cuba is perfect if you like to graze leisurely on small dishes and indulge in some expertly-mixed cocktails. The dim sum are so tempting that you could easily keeping ordering more and more to try them all and revisit favourites. The sunny sounds of live Cuban jazz trio Son Yambu bring a touch of Havana to London, delaying that Sunday ‘end of the weekend’ feeling a little longer.

Dim Sum Brunch take places at Asia de Cuba every Sunday from 12pm-5pm. For more information and booking, visit: www.stmartinslane.com

Chérie City was a guest of Asia de Cuba

Photos by Chérie City and Asia de Cuba