I went for brunch to Automat this weekend and I have to say I was hugely disappointed and probably won't be returning, ever again. I rarely use the words ever again as I like to give places the benefit of the doubt but in this case it was fairly unforgivable, and here's why...
I used to be a fan of Automat, it was always a reliable choice with decent food, reasonable prices for that area of London and decent service. This time I noticed that they had increased their prices and massively decreased their service - maybe the credit crunch has hit them? Or maybe not, as we were forced to wander from Cecconi's to The Wolseley (both full 'til 4pm we were told). Clearly, Londoners appetite for a good Brunch has not dininished.
We asked for tap water three times. My eggs benedict were cold when they arrived and then when I cut into them they whites were not cooked all the way through. I have a bit of a problem with raw egg whites so this was particularly unpleasant for me! The muffin of the eggs benedict was not toasted and so was nicely soggy. Our toast was toasted on one side and soft on the other and one of the accompanying jams had already been opened. All round pretty awful, in fact there was really nothing redeeming.
When we complained I was offered another but by that time it was too late. We still didn't have any tap water. So we mentioned this as well and asked politely for the service not to be included. The bill (and two glasses of tap water - on the house) were returned along with a muttered comment from our displeased waitress about how the service was only a pound anyway (you cheap bastards).
All in all, avoid Automat. For better brunch suggestions see my Sunday Brunch post here.
33 Dover Street, Mayfair, W1S 4NF. 020 7499 3033.
Ps. I once saw a chef walking into the kitchen with a Tesco's bag full of mince - all USDA Certified beef? I think not.
Showing posts with label Breakfast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Breakfast. Show all posts
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Saturday, 21 March 2009
Sunday Brunch
I am a big fan of the tradition that is Sunday Brunch. There is nothing better than to wake up late, and then go for a good, lingering meal that pushes the boundaries between breakfast and lunch. The Americans do brunch significantly better than we Brits do. In New York the majority of restaurants are open for brunch on the weekend and this is the way it should be in London. My best brunch memories have to be from Silvermine Tavern in Norwalk, CT. I just looked at the website and was shocked to have discovered that they have closed down! They had the most amazing, over-sized cinnamon rolls, truly a loss to humanity.
Anyway, back to the real world, I thought I would share a few of my favourite brunch spots in London...
Christopher's
18 Wellington Street, Covent Garden.
Tel. 020 7240 4222
I like this place a lot, you enter and go up a grand old staircase. It is elegant in a simple sort of way and the service is always friendly and attentive. As an added bonus, you also get some great views out over the river. They always ask if you have a reservation and then give disapproving looks when you say you haven't, but I've never been turned away. Booking recommended(?)
As mentioned earlier the Yanks know how to brunch and this American joint serves up a great weekend feast. You can get all sorts from real American pancakes with bacon (This sounds odd unless you've tried it) to grilled swordfish. The menu is somewhat confusing given that it is 2 or 3 courses (£17.50 & £21 respectively) but no real differentiation is made between types of courses so you can go for a standard starter & main combo, or go wild (as I do) and get two breakfast things (pancakes AND eggs benedict). In summary, this place is even better if you are hungry!
Cecconi's
5 Burlington Gardens, Mayfair.
020 7434 1500
Cecconi's is tucked away in between Regent Street and Bond Street (next door to the Abercrombie store) and has become one of my favourite brunch spots of late. If you arrive before noon then you get the breakfast menu and if you arrive after then you get the brunch menu. The brunch menu has most of the breakfast items on it plus some more 'lunchy' things on it like a great crab ravioli. Good orange juice too.
It is also a great place for people watching, you have the Abercrombie store opposite which provides amusement in terms of the sheer number of people in the queue before it opens. In addition you have the clientele of Cecconi's itself which is a curious mix of European high society and people who just wandered in off Regent Street.
Smiths of Smithfield
67-77 Charterhouse Street, Farringdon.
Tel. 0871 332 7688
If you are looking for a good, sturdy fashioned British breakfast or brunch then this is the place to go. A very relaxed feeling, this former meatpacking warehouse has a number of restaurants in it but I always go for the ground floor as if you are lucky you can bag a leather sofa and read the papers for hours either side of your brunch.
As for the food, Smiths is great if you like meat as they get all the best cuts from Smithfield market. You can get everything from porridge to a fry-up and it is all very reasonably prices (most things are in the £5-7 region) and the coffee isn't too shoddy either.
Anyway, back to the real world, I thought I would share a few of my favourite brunch spots in London...
Christopher's
18 Wellington Street, Covent Garden.
Tel. 020 7240 4222
I like this place a lot, you enter and go up a grand old staircase. It is elegant in a simple sort of way and the service is always friendly and attentive. As an added bonus, you also get some great views out over the river. They always ask if you have a reservation and then give disapproving looks when you say you haven't, but I've never been turned away. Booking recommended(?)
As mentioned earlier the Yanks know how to brunch and this American joint serves up a great weekend feast. You can get all sorts from real American pancakes with bacon (This sounds odd unless you've tried it) to grilled swordfish. The menu is somewhat confusing given that it is 2 or 3 courses (£17.50 & £21 respectively) but no real differentiation is made between types of courses so you can go for a standard starter & main combo, or go wild (as I do) and get two breakfast things (pancakes AND eggs benedict). In summary, this place is even better if you are hungry!
Cecconi's
5 Burlington Gardens, Mayfair.
020 7434 1500
Cecconi's is tucked away in between Regent Street and Bond Street (next door to the Abercrombie store) and has become one of my favourite brunch spots of late. If you arrive before noon then you get the breakfast menu and if you arrive after then you get the brunch menu. The brunch menu has most of the breakfast items on it plus some more 'lunchy' things on it like a great crab ravioli. Good orange juice too.
It is also a great place for people watching, you have the Abercrombie store opposite which provides amusement in terms of the sheer number of people in the queue before it opens. In addition you have the clientele of Cecconi's itself which is a curious mix of European high society and people who just wandered in off Regent Street.
Smiths of Smithfield
67-77 Charterhouse Street, Farringdon.
Tel. 0871 332 7688
If you are looking for a good, sturdy fashioned British breakfast or brunch then this is the place to go. A very relaxed feeling, this former meatpacking warehouse has a number of restaurants in it but I always go for the ground floor as if you are lucky you can bag a leather sofa and read the papers for hours either side of your brunch.
As for the food, Smiths is great if you like meat as they get all the best cuts from Smithfield market. You can get everything from porridge to a fry-up and it is all very reasonably prices (most things are in the £5-7 region) and the coffee isn't too shoddy either.
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