Restaurants

Brunch at Lima Floral

28/03/2015

On a particularly dreary Sunday a few weeks ago (it rained all day and it was cold like Spring would never come!) I brought sunshine and colours to my day with brunch at Lima Floral!

Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-5

Lima Floral is the sister restaurant to Lima in Fitzrovia, a Michelin-starred Peruvian restaurant by chef patron Virgilio Martinez.

Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-22 Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-4 copy Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-7Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-16 copy

Ever since opening in London, Lima has received many accolades including “Restaurant of the Year” at the Food and Travel Reader Awards. The Telegraph’s Matthew Norman wrote that “the food is utterly sensational”.

“Our idea of gastronomic luxury is simply having something natural, indigenous and unique.” [Virgilio Martinez]

I ate a fantastic meal at Lima in Fitzrovia two years ago and I have been meaning to go back ever since. The dishes were spectacular, as tasty and inventive as they were pretty (an important factor for a food photographer like me)! When the invitation came along to try the new brunch menu at Lima in Covent Garden, I immediately accepted.

Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-24

LIMA Floral is an evolution on what we have offered diners at LIMA Fitzrovia, with the aim of showcasing Peru as a country full of diversity: ecologically, culturally and historically, sharing an authentic and native culinary offering. [Official Website]

LIMA Floral opened in July 2014 in Leicester Square / Covent Garden, at the corner of Garrick and Floral streets. In these 9 months the restaurant has grown and gained its own identity, so that regular customers at Lima Fitzrovia can come here and have an amazing – but also different – experience.

Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-23

This is Martinez’s second London restaurant, following on from the success of Lima in Rathbone Place, an elaborate affair that has already bagged him a Michelin star. Lima Floral is not a copy but an extension of this gambit, and showcases more Peruvian classics. This time there’s a little less fuss and a more reasonable price tag. [Time Out]

I loved the interior design and decor of the restaurant: white brick walls, bold carpets and paintings on the walls, succulents and candles on the windowsills and bright blue details repeated throughout the space (ground floor and basement). The Pisco Bar downstairs is a great place to spend a night out in the West End!

Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-18 copy Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-21 copy

The brunch menu at Lima Floral is available on Saturday and Sunday and comes with two set options: a three-course Andean Breakfast, available until 12pm, and a three-course sharing Long Lunch.

When I visited with my husband two weeks ago we both ordered the Andean breakfast (regular for me, vegetarian for him).

Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-1

With the breakfast, which costs £18 per person, Lima also offers free-flowing Prosecco for £10 per person. Even though we were invited to a complimentary meal, I think the price is very good for the quality and amount of food and wine we had, especially in central London.
Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-2Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-13

The breakfast dishes feature native ingredients of Peru used with a twist. Among the starters, the quinoa porridge was amazing and the most surprising dish for us. The yoghurt with eucalyptus and muña mint was refreshing and tasty with the addition of fresh fruit and maca root, honey and bee pollen.

Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-8 Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-9

The mains consisted of: Potato Pancakes with strawberry and honey, Suckling Pig Brioche Bun and Egg Frittata with Spring Onions. All the dishes were good – I loved the soft brioche bun and the frittata with black quinoa. The only downside is that all dishes are served together and shared between the table, which makes it impossible to eat everything hot.

Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-12 Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-10 Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-15 Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-11

By the time the dessert came – a sharing platter of Amazonian Chocolate Ice-Cream, Aguaymanto with Cacao Crumble and Alfajores with Dulce de Leche – we were almost too full to it. Almost!

The chocolate was incredibly fudgey and rich, so impossible for us to resist.

Brunch-Lima-Floral-London-17

Throughout our meal the staff was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. The restaurant was quiet when we arrived just before noon, but was nearly packed by the time we left after 1pm. I often find central London restaurants to be empty on Sundays, but Lima Floral makes an exception. It was lively, warm, welcoming and colourful.

Definitely a great place to be on a rainy London weekend!

Disclaimer: I was a guest at Lima Floral. All opinions are my own.

You Might Also Like

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

1 Comment
Newest
Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Stephanie Sadler
31/03/2015 12:08

This place looks amazing. So pretty. Love the blue decor and the food looks delish!

1
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x
Read previous post:
Nutella Brioche Croissants
Nutella Brioche Croissants

It's not a secret that both my husband and I love having breakfast at home with a cup of really...

Close