Brunch at The Biltmore – a review

Start your Weekend off in the most fabulous of ways with the newly launched Brunch Menu at The Biltmore Mayfair. 

Headed up by the esteemed Jason Atherton, The Biltmore Brunch is certainly an elegant affair. This is a brunch worthy of getting your glad rags on and treating yourself or someone special and you’ll be guaranteed excellent service, ambiance and of course a brunch worth bragging about. 

When it comes to decent brunch in London, it’s like navigating a minefield. There is just so much on offer but when you really investigate what you’ll end up finding is there’s just heaps of bottomless and not enough brunch if you know what I mean. So if like me you’re thinking, what sets The Biltmore apart from all the other brunches in the City? Well, let me tell you… their ‘USP’ is for sure the food. They also had an incredible setting and a stunning band but I don’t ever recall raving about the food after a brunch especially not a boozy one. Café Biltmore certainly dazzles with their dishes making this a foodies brunch heaven. Offering up a number of different brunch and lunch plates, they of course have the classics, eggs, pancakes, etc… but the menu also featured a number non typical brunch dishes but this is what made it so brilliant. I would say, you could even convince the biggest anti-bruncher to brunch along with you after you show them the menu because who could turn down Porthilly Oysters, Wood fired pizza and Fish and Chips to name a few? In fact Paul Walsh, Executive Chef, commented, “Weekends are made for brunch and our menu is guaranteed to have a dish everyone will want to eat on it…” If you’re doing 2 courses or more there is the option to add the free-flowing bubbles package for an extra £25. Rarely are you left thinking I just had a ruddy good meal after a bottomless brunch but Café Biltmore can certainly win this accolade. 

So, what’s included;

So on offer you have the choice of 2 courses for £32 or 3 courses for £38 and of course the free-flowing bubbles upgrade. What you will quickly realise is that this is an absolute steal when you realise the quality and the service which are second to none. We recommend doing the whole sh’bang so make sure you go light on your breakfast that morning. To start there are a number of different Egg dishes, we tried the Confit duck leg with Kimchi and Fried Egg and Calamari to start. For our mains I tried one of the veggie options Sweetcorn and Saffron risotto, Scottish girolles and Parmesan and we also tried the Buttermilk chicken sandwich and I can honestly say, that was the best damned risotto I have ever tasted. Both utterly luxurious and more-ish so much so, that I got distracted writing this thinking about how delicious it was. Of course, if you opt for 3 courses the dessert choice covers all bases with a cheese plate for those who aren’t much of a sweet tooth. The bubbles were certainly flowing thanks to the attentiveness of the waiters who’s service went above and beyond. The setting was just gorgeous, we dined on a cold autumn day but so kitted out with heaters and blankets, the outdoor terrace more than adequately catered to its guests comfortably making it the perfect little secret brunch oasis. Notable mention must go to the talented jazz band who provided the afternoons entertainment with their mellow muzak and dulcet tones. 

 

What’s more is those wishing to dine with their furry friends, Cafe Biltmore’s terrace is dog friendly and pets will be treated to their own treats while you dine. The Biltmore Brunch will really make you wish the weekend couldn’t come fast enough.

The Biltmore Brunch will be available every Saturday from 11:00 – 17:00

For more info or reservations visit;

www.cafebiltmore.com

Dancing the day away: The Piano Works bottomless brunch

As you might’ve noticed, here at Frost we have a penchant for prosecco filled bottomless brunches. What could beat it? A bottomless brunch with live music, of course. We headed to Farringdon to give The Piano Works ‘Brunch to the Beat’ a try and, whilst initially nervous as we first entered the lair, we quickly embraced the atmosphere and partied the day away.

At £50 per person, the bottomless brunch includes a two-course meal and two hours (none of that 90 minute malarkey) of unlimited drinks. Choose to wet the whistle with either prosecco, pink Italian sparkling wine, Aperol Spritz, Bloody Mary or mocktails.

You’d be hard pressed to find staff who support your quest for completely embracing the ‘unlimited’ part of the Brunch to the Beat experience too. Each time your glass is edging towards the dangerous ‘half full’ territory (yep, we’re eternal optimists), the suited and booted waiters are at your side, ready to serve and encouraging the party.

Although you can choose to purchase just the drinks at £35 a head, the quality of the food is not to be ignored. The chicken and waffles were the perfect mix of sweet and savoury and the crunchy, smokey batter that encased the chicken was packed with flavour. For dessert, it’s a modest list of options but they’re certainly fan favourites – sorbet, waffles, fruit salad or the pancake stack.

Above all else, it’s imperative we talk atmosphere. This bar is often packed with large groups of hens, stags and party people (which usually guarantees a good time) but the sheer brilliance of the on-stage professionals is something else. Music starts at midday with two piano vocalists, followed by a full band at 1.30pm. Once the band has bowled in, the party intensifies.

Playing only the audience requests with a fantastic jazzy twist to just about everything, the artists become the pied pipers, drawing crowds to the dancefloor with tantalising ease. To top this experience with the metaphorical cherry, it’s a no holds barred kind of affair, with all types of requests welcome. During our experience, we heard Ben E King, Jackson 5, Ellie Goulding and Lewis Capaldi – what more could you want!?

By the end of the session, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ll be dancing like you’re 18 again on the dancefloor at 4am. Although, the reality is that it’s 4pm, the harsh light of day awaits outside and the hangover is starting to prepare for its inescapable appearance… we wish you luck.

To make a booking for The Piano Works’ Brunch To The Beat, visit the website.

 

 

Mews Of Mayfair Restaurant Review

Mews of Mayfair, the British bar and brasserie, is hidden away in the heart of London down a small side street just off Bond street. The main restaurant room has been beautifully decorated and its atmosphere is relaxed.

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We started our bottomless brunch with a delicious Mimosa and Bellini. They were well made and generous with the alcohol content.

Like many restaurants at the moment Mews is offering limitless refills of Mimosa’s, Bellini’s and Bloody Mary’s at just £15 a head. We certainly approve. Not having to worry too much about cost allows you to get on with enjoying your lunch!

Eggs Benedict

To start with we had an Eggs Benedict. A classic combination and still one of my favourites. As someone who has sampled many versions of this dish I can honestly say this was one of the best I’ve had. It was packed with flavour. The Hollandaise sauce was flawless and when it was combined with the gooey egg yolk, ham and toast it was devine. It really was a treat and the portion was extremely generous as you can see. A perfect start.

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Dorset Crab

This dish did a brilliant job of letting the crab, the star of the dish, shine. The crab was very tasty and fresh and the plate brought pack memories of the sea. The crab lay on a slice of toasted brioche. The slight sweetness of the brioche actually worked really well against the meatiness of the crab. The textures were very soft which was surprising but actually worked very well. Another superb dish

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Fish and Chips

This was another extremely generous portion, the fish was huge. This was definitely a bottomless brunch. The sweet mushy peas were delicious as was the fantastic fresh tartar sauce. The fish and chips were tasty but didn’t blow us away.

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Chicken

The chicken was cooked perfectly. It was very juicy and had a delicious crispy skin. The duck fat roast potatoes were stunning, absolutely perfect. The whole dish was perfectly seasoned and the stuffing and gravy added loads of flavour. Once again the portion was huge. By this stage we were absolutely stuffed. You couldn’t ask for much more from your lunch.

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Pancake

This pancake was packed with fresh fruit and drizzled with honey. It also came with some delicious cream but it could have done with a bit more sauce of some kind.

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Eton Mess

Eton mess is one of my favourite puddings. It embodies everything that a good pudding should be. This Eton Mess was made with blackberries. It was light creamy and delicious and went really well with the coulis and meringue crumb. A very good pudding.

We had a wonderful meal and really enjoyed ourselves. Mews had some truly excellent food and the atmosphere and service were perfect. Definitely worth a visit.

 

Mews of Mayfair

10 Lancashire Court, New Bond Street, London W1S 1EY

www.mewsofmayfair.com

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@mewsofmayfair