Last week I had my first full weekend to spend in London after a month of travels and I was determined to make the most of it, so I double-brunched on Saturday and on Sunday! (yep, I just made that word up!) I started with brunch on Saturday morning at Temple and Sons, Jason Atherton’s grill restaurant in the City.
Temple and Sons is the latest London opening for The Social Company, Chef Jason Atherton‘s restaurant group. Atherton is behind some of the best restaurants in London (and around the world). I personally had one of the best meals at the Chef’s Counter at Social Eating House in Soho. I also had a rather lovely wedding anniversary celebration with my husband at City Social a few years ago.
So of course when the invitation came to review the newly launched Saturday Brunch menu at Temple and Sons, I cleared my diary and made sure I could make it there. I’m glad I did as the brunch was so good, it exceeded my expectations!
Temple and Sons opened last November and is situated in the City, within walking distance from Bank, Liverpool Street and Moorgate stations. The 66-cover restaurant is busy for lunch and dinner during the week, but fairly quiet on Saturdays (and closed on Sundays), which is normal in this part of the city.
The setting is unusual: across two floors in a steel and glass structure. The interiors are modern, casual yet elegant. The upstairs room was flooded with light when I was there last Saturday. The main grill restaurant and kitchen are upstairs (together with a secluded table for private parties); downstairs is the Deli and Cocktail Bar serving sandwiches, soups and drinks throughout the day.
The all day A La Carte menu – by Executive Head Chef Paul Walsh – pays tribute to the very best British produce from suppliers Lake District Farmers and Flying Fish Seafoods. Have a look online at their meat and fish dishes, because they all sounds absolutely delicious!
The brunch menu features a selection of traditional British breakfast dishes, sweet and savoury. There is also an option for Set Brunch Menu; it includes 1 french toast or pancakes; 1 main breakfast dish; 1 juice, Bellini or Bloody Mary for just £22.
The Bloody Mary was mixed with KetelOne vodka (infused with caramelised bacon), a dash of Mezcal and “Full English” garnish and it was possibly the best one I’ve ever tasted.
After some indecision on whether to order Eggs Royale or a Full English Breakfast I decided to go for the latter, and it was definitely the right choice! The Full English at Temple and Sons is so big that I have been asked by friends if the portion was to share.
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There was a rather large pork & fennel sausage (which I couldn't possible eat all by myself), bacon, mushrooms, fried potatoes, BBQ beans, two Clarence Court eggs (I asked for them fried) and toast. The toast normally comes with bone marrow spread on top, but I asked for mine to be plain.
The bread and the meat are grilled in the restaurant's wood-fired grill and served in a skillet, so the food stays warm.
My friend Giulia opted for the Duck Egg & Avocado: toasted sourdough bread (freshly baked every day by The Bread Factory in North London) with smashed avocado (mixed with chopped tomatoes) and poached duck eggs.
I was glad that my husband ordered the Eggs Royale so I could taste them as well. Made with poached eggs, Severn & Wye smoked salmon (also available with Cumbrian ham for a classic Benedict) and hollandaise.
The hollandaise was the standout ingredients: it was freshly made to order with a hint of sherry vinegar, which added a really nice punchy flavour.
My friends ordered a portion of Buttermilk Pancakes to share as dessert. Served with maple syrup, blueberry compote and vanilla cream, this is a classic brunch dish. I didn’t taste the pancakes, but I couldn’t resist eating the vanilla cream by the spoon (it reminded me of St John’s Bakery’s custard doughnuts).
I was happy to find one of my favourite desserts on the brunch menu: Sticky toffee pudding. At Temple and Sons it is served with clotted cream ice cream and a delicious Cornish sea salted caramel. It’s a decadent and delicious pudding!
I loved the brunch at Temple and Sons and I have been personally recommending it to friends ever since my visit. I am going to keep spreading the word about this restaurant and hopefully visit again soon!
Temple and Sons, 22 Old Broad St, London EC2N 1HQ.
Disclaimer: my friends and I were guests of the restaurant. All opinions are my own.
