Monday 12 March 2012

GOURMET LOVERS BRUNCH CLUB : MIDDLE EAST LONDON

Sunday 11th March was our latest brunch club featuring as always a brand new menu, this one entitled 'Middle East London'.  Brought about by a suggestion from our latest guest chef James (recently returned from Abu Dhabi) with a plethora of fresh new ideas and loads of enthusiasm we conjured up a menu of exotic flavours and spices from United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Morocco. The great thing about starting with a theme means it gives us a great base for which to create a menu whether that be a play on words like our Hip Hop Brunch or inspired around a specific region.

Sundays brunch was a meeting of friends old and new, the beautiful sunny day created a general feeling of positivity in the group of people who came to eat of whom I think all but three were Australians! Further proving to myself that the lack of good brunch locations in London is leading people to investigate further and seek out the underground brunch spots of London. We are more than happy to oblige.  

For the first time in a long while we had help in the kitchen and it reminded me how nice it is to not only have an extra pair of hands when cooking and serving but of how a fresh perspective can inspire and rejuvenate the dishes we prepare. James is the only person who's ever come to a pre brunch club brainstorming session with a couple of drawings of the dishes he had been inspired to cook after his trip. Impressive and smart. I will admit to thinking fennel sorbet and candied fennel was a strange idea ( proven wrong after eating it of course and after I saw it made last week on MasterChef ) I have a slight aversion to anything with aniseed flavours as it reminds me of Sambuca (shudder) but the flavour coming from the fennel in this dish was fruity and sweet. Its unexpected and exciting with real depth to it. We'll be posting a recipe soon. 

Our Menu was as follows  

'Middle East London Brunch'


Harissa Grilled Aubergine with Yoghurt and Pomegranate 


Spiced Crab Stack w Pickled Radish & Fennel Sorbet w Candied Fennel

OR the vegetarian alternative


Pearl barley, New Potato, Fennel Stack w Pickled Radish & Fennel Sorbet w Candied Fennel


Shakshuka Eggs with Turkish toast


Moroccan Mint Salad w Grapefruit, Carrot & Pistachio


Grilled Poisson marinated in Pomegranate Molasses

 w Roasted Vegetable Cous Cous
OR the vegetarian alternative


Grilled Spiced Pumpkin w Pomegranate Molasses

 & Roasted Vegetable Cous Cous


Bits of Baklava w Honeycomb Ice Cream

There was an ample supply of rose and mint tea available to compliment our brunch menu although the abundance of Antipodeans meant we drank none of that and got through about 10 pots of Square Mile Red Brick coffee. We always notice the coffee or tea consumption swings hugely depending on number of Brits of Antipodeans. 

After brunch, with that feeling that warmer weather is just around the corner we got a taste of the famous post brunch club kick on that comes in Summer by taking a few ciders down to Clissold Park. Not long until we can do that in our garden!

We are getting a lot of enquiries as to when our next brunch club will be and I can announce the next two dates will take place Sundays April 1st and April 22nd. The event brite widget is now updated and you can book for yourself and your friends now.  May sees us hosting a couple of private brunch clubs so get in quick for April as we may be un able to take many bookings in May.
The April 1st theme will be Hip Hop brunch 2 as we've had a lot of interest in that menu since our last one and a lot of suggestions for new dishes, or names of dishes which are inspiring another eclectic and exciting brunch menu. 

Some recipe posts coming soon! Once he gets a spare moment Nick will finish off his duck confit recipe from Christmas (I know, its been way to busy!) as well as add a new delicious recipe for Chicken tom yum pie and my deconstructed baklava and honeycomb ice cream.

Hope to see you soon
Bex & Nick





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