Forgo Pub Fare in Favor of These London Hotel Brunches

February 18, 2011 at 1:03 PM | by Heidi Atwal | Comments (2)

The Hoxton Grill

This week, HotelChatter is paying special attention to London. The city of grey and rain is gearing up for yet another Fashion Week and impending royal nuptials, along with continued preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games, so our lady on the ground, Heidi Atwal, is guiding us through some of her favorite places.

The UK prides itself on traditional Sunday roasts, not champagne brunches as we're accustomed to Stateside. Stellar eggs benedict and fluffy pancakes (be aware that "flapjack" refers to something else entirely across the pond) are ever elusive menu items, especially among hotel restaurants. In a city where midday weekend meals start off with a pint rather than a mimosa, we've managed to track down three hotel outfits that do brunch particularly well. Read on for our suggestions.

The Hoxton Grill at the Hoxton

The Hoxton Grill is your friendly "neighborhood restaurant"�that is, if your friendly neighborhood restaurant is accustomed to seeing the likes of Alexa Chung and other London scenesters waltz through its premises. Yes, the Hoxton oozes East side cool, and they get a nod from HotelChatter for catering to homesick Yanks in addition to wavy-haired hipsters. Billed "American-style" dining, you can order diner fare such as smoothies and milkshakes during their weekend brunch sittings (12:00-4:00 PM), and other heartwarming (or, heart-clogging) dishes like French toast with pecan butter and pancakes with bacon and maple syrup. Londoners, meanwhile, will be comforted by the site of a no-frills bacon and egg bap on the menu. Dishes are reasonably priced to boot. Don't forget your au courant maxi skirt and faux fur bomber, ladies.

Restaurant H�l�ne Darroze at the Connaught Mayfair

This is the Connaught's second appearance in this week's survey of London's Hotel Scene, but we consider the editorial double-down well deserved. Restaurant H�l�ne Darroze has two Michelin stars to its credit, speaking volumes about the kind of dining experience you should expect if you eat here. (Leave the kids with the nanny, we say.) Brunch, served Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00, with the last seating at 3:00 PM, is a three-course affair that begins with a buffet starter, a main served at the table and buffet dessert. Decadent menu offerings include a lobster club, truffled eggs benedicte and a selection of pastries and sweets such as waffles drizzled with Chantilly or chocolate sauce. As you'll be shelling out a minimum of �38.00 for the meal, or �43.00 with a mimosa, a certain amount of gluttony is permitted.

Cookbook Cafe at the InterContinental Park Lane

Cookbook Cafe has made it onto many a round-up of "Best London Brunches," and for good reason. Whether you choose to dine on Saturday or Sunday, you'll be served a robust menu of "seriously good tucker" (that's good eats, American readers) that adheres to a sustainable food philosophy. On both days, the starter and dessert are presented as a buffet, while Saturday's main is served family-style at your table (consisting of meat, vegetable and fish dishes) and Sunday offers up the traditional roast that locals hold so dearly. Unlimited drinks are included in the �49.00 price, including sparkling French wine, tea and coffee.

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