Bubbly Brunch at South Place Hotel

 

Last week my best friend and I decided we were going to treat ourselves to a “Sunday Fun Day” to start the week off in positive spirits. Whilst our plans included food, drink, nails and shopping it all kicked off with weekend brunch at South Place Hotel. We met at Moorgate Station (but could have met at Liverpool Street Station, which is equally as close) at 12:00 and literally walked around the corner and there was the hotel facing us.

The exterior of the hotel is an example of why in life it is usually best to look beneath the surface because contrary to its plain exterior South Place Hotel is filled with good vibes created by amazing staff, stylish yet comfortable décor and delicious plates that continuously fly out of the open kitchen of the 3 South Place restaurant. Once we entered a pleasant hostess showed us our table, took our bags and then our coats.

 My friend, Katherine, sat on the leather couch along the wall and immediately we felt like we were at home. The crowd was mixed from single travellers, to families and groups of friends scattered around the dining room. Our attentive waiter came and explained the menu – you can order items individually or enjoy 2 courses for £20, 3 courses for £25 and with the last two options add £15 for unlimited Bloody Mary’s, Prosecco, Bellinis or Mimosas. From the time he said the word unlimited I knew we were going to opt for the “bottomless brunch”.

Honestly it was difficult to choose what we wanted to eat because a few things kept jumping out at me. We ended up drinking about 2 cocktails each before we even placed our order. Since it was so hard to choose we wanted to order our first course while we decided what we would enjoy for our main but we weren’t allowed to do that since we were told we had to order 2 courses simultaneously, which was a bit strange but since our waiter was so nice I didn’t make it an issue. In the end we ordered ‘English muffin’, which must be the most understated name for a menu item in history because from a choice of smoked salmon, York ham or leaf spinach, Katherine chose smoked salmon and got an amazing plate of Eggs Royale with the best English muffin I have ever tasted. Come to think of if maybe that’s why it is named English muffin because that element of the dish is the star on the plate. I started things off with the Yorkshire chorizo & fried duck egg on toast mainly because I have always wanted to taste duck egg. The egg didn’t taste different from those that chickens lay, in my opinion, but perhaps that was because I couldn’t stop taking pictures of it since it was so beautifully presented that I wasn’t focusing enough on the flavour of the egg.

The reason I love dining at 3 South Place is because everything on the plate feels like it was put there with the most deliberate care to contribute to an exciting gastronomic experience. The head chef Colin Layfield, who hails from a 2AA Rosette restaurant, makes his presence felt with every dish that causes you to rethink familiar components. For our second course I ordered the Wild mushroom mac & cheese. I go weak in the knees for a great mac & cheese, some may think it is a simple dish but I find that sometimes people try too hard to elevate it and end up creating a heavy pasta dish that weighs down on your stomach. With my first bite I was not convinced by this mac & cheese but I couldn’t help going back for more until before I knew it my bowl was empty. I think the thing that caught me off guard initially was that the texture was different; the light cheese coating each pasta elbow was almost foam-like on my tongue. Katherine ordered Red Hereford steak and asked the kitchen to kill the fried egg 3 times so that the yolk wouldn’t be runny, don’t ask why…The steak was cooked to absolute perfection with a charred flavour from the grill and it cut like butter, I was almost jealous of her dish.

The last round before we jetted off for some pampering included Milk chocolate set cream for me and Baked cheesecake for her. I have never had a baked cheesecake that was so light, from presentation to flavour, pastry chef Keisha Meakin gives you nothing to complain about. Instead she delivers desserts that leave you clinging onto your spoon like a kid; my dessert ticked every box, with the crumble providing the necessary crunch over the creamy decadence that was laced with salted caramel and everyone knows I love a salty-sweet combo. I unashamedly scrapped the bowl clean and sucked on my spoon a little too long.

Would I go back to South Place Hotel for brunch you ask. Have you not read my review I ask? I love brunch but this isn’t just brunch we’re talking about, we are talking about a place that makes you feel at home, like you can laugh all day without people looking at you strangely, like there is no rush for you to leave because you are truly welcome and for that reason once you enter their doors you do not want to leave. The staff read your mind and refill your drinks without you even realising that your glass was empty. The food arrives at your table and looks just as great as it tastes and although the bellinis are not the best I have ever had, the constant supply of mimosas will keep anyone happy. The attention to detail makes all the difference, from room temperature butter that spreads effortlessly over fresh bread (I find people serving cold butter really annoying and thoughtless) to toilets that feel slightly higher than most, South Place Hotel gives me countless reasons to keep recommending them to everyone. Unfortunately not every day is “Sunday Fun Day” but luckily for us there are places like this that deliver memorable dining experiences every day. For your dose of feel good go to www.southplacehotel.com. 

Live, Love, Eat!

April x