Wednesday 22 May 2013

Ginger And White

When it comes to brunch I am a complete creature of habit and usually rather reluctant to try anywhere other than my home away from home that is Workshop Coffee in Clerkenwell where I can be seen chowing down my ginger cake with extra sides almost every Saturday and Sunday. Although Ginger and White was not quite as good  it was definitely worth changing up my routine a little bit for and will see me go on further brunch endeavours around London. Located in the heart of more residential and quiet Belsize Park, nestled among the many pristine white family town houses that line the streets here, Ginger and White has a touch of British countryside to it that gave it an immediately welcoming feel far away from the hustle and bustle of central London. Inside it may be tiny but the communal table made one almost feel like having your brunch cooked at a friend's house, unpretentious with a colourful mix of people, it is a great place to catch up with a friends or just watch the world go by through their big windows. Coffee was excellent and the menu whilst maybe more British than the wave of Aussie brunch places that I have frequented still offers interesting twists on classics My granola with fruit compote and yogurt came in a generous portion and offered just the right mix of flavours and textures. Little touches like the preserves to be shared in the middle of the table ( our favourite was the raspberry one) show attention to detail and a making everything from scratch approach that was visible in every dish that whizzed past us. Started out by a husband and wife duo a few years back, they have truly managed to keep their low key yet high quality approach to food and though some flavours lacked the oomph of their counterparts at Workshop, my friend's beans again generously sized but boring in flavour, it was a place that had that certain laid back atmosphere and many more interesting sounding brunch options that shall see me return and which make Ginger and White  a worthy alternative.