31st January Feast or Famine-Breakfast at Café Brood, Borough Market
January 24th-30th was National
Breakfast Week, so Gannet 1 suggested a breakfast outing; good idea, all we had
to do was find something appropriate.
As usual the week sped past, and it wasn’t until Sunday we
had the chance to think about an outing.
Gannet 1 vetoed the Turkish café around the corner, and not wanting to
travel too far (and definitely not north of the river, for goodness sake!) we
decided that a short cycle ride to Borough Market was just the thing-we’d have
so much choice, surely.
However, as it transpired, not on a Sunday, and not at half
past ten in the morning. The place was deserted, (bit of a relief actually, as
usually the crowds are prohibitive) and by the time we reached the market we
were both a bit peckish and freezing cold-Sunday was drizzly if you remember.
We were a little forlorn, but then came across a single establishment that was
open- Café Brood. The big pans of paella, waiting for the lunchtime rush looked
great, and were already giving off tempting aromas. “ Do you do breakfast?” we
asked, hopefully. “ But of course!” and in we went. At that point anything out
of the rain would suffice, but in fact we struck lucky.
The breakfast menu was a little eclectic, including a Full
English, which was rather appealing at that stage. However, there were also Mediterranean
options, which seemed to fit the “ethnic” theme. Gannet 1 and Gannet 2 both
opted for this, although in reality we think that we were brought “ Full Vegetarian”
by mistake. Come what may, we were not disappointed.
The breakfast consisted of a flat bread, a recurring theme
in Mediterranean menus, topped by fresh salad, grilled halloumi, olives, kidney beans, a fried
egg, finished with Greek yoghurt.
A touch of lime somewhere. It was very good,
obviously freshly prepared, a little spicy with some cheeky chillies, and just
what the doctor ordered. (Not quite, as she had actually ordered a different
breakfast…..) As we sat there we saw
them preparing other lunchtime foods-fabulous fish kebabs, platters of
baklavas, and the paella was simmering nicely. Might get a bit jaded as the day progresses....
Overall the experience was grand-great views of Southwark cathedral and the bells were
pealing as we sat there; the service was prompt and very friendly. The cups of coffee
were a little small, and we are only commenting on that as we can’t keep saying
everything is great. We had talked on the way about trying to be negative about
something, and in all honesty, that was the only criticism that we could come
up with. That, and the fact that we got the wrong breakfast……
Scores on the doors:
Value:
8/10 £
20 for two, with a breakfast that kept Gannet 1 going all
day.
Ambiance: 7/10 Mainly because of the Cathedral
and getting out of the
rain. Slightly on the Formica side.
Taste 9/10 Very fresh, tangy salad, well cooked egg. (however, anything would have tasted good at that point)
Authenticity: ?/10 Mmmmm.
The waiter was Albanian, not sure which cuisine
we were partaking of, although broadly Mediterranean.
Cafe Brood is very accessible, and obviously a reasonable place to eat. However, there will be times when it is phenomenally busy, and the food may tire as the day progresses. For us, it was a welcome find after a wet, and slightly traumatic bike ride- we were witness to a hit and run car accident along the way, but that's London life for you!
Next week, not sure where we will be off to; sometimes it's good to have a plan, and sometimes it's good to veer towards spontaneity....however, Northern Europe is calling.
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