Bistroteque, 26th June 2011

Per-fec-tion. Nuff said?

Ok, maybe not! It was the hottest day of the year so far and in my quest for the ultimate Eggy B I jumped on a sticky hot tube and headed East (this is real dedication, I should have been sunbathing in the park).

For this week's brunch I was accompanied by my very old friend, Stuart. It was an added pleasure to catch up on the last 10 years over one of the best brunches I have eaten in London.

Even though this blog has little in the way of regular posts my experiences to date certainly put Searcy's (in taste alone) at the top of the leader board. Bistroteque however, has officially taken over the number one spot and at risk of sounding like Alan Frank; it's definitely 10/10! It has it all. In a somewhat unassuming location it has become a popular haunt for locals and regulars of the fabulous Sunday markets.

The entrance itself was enticing with plants, hanging lights and tables and chairs scattered outside. Whilst I waited for Stuart in the blazing heat the terrace transported me to a sun-drenched Mediterranean villa... Hmm, a far cry from the little back street in East London!

We had a booking and I can understand why, it was bustling. Seated and comfortable I checked out the menu (just in case but) my eyes went straight for Eggs Benedict - of course. I was pleasantly surprised to be offered the option of small or large, but really a small is just a half isn't it? So, large it was.

Oh and how beautifully presented it was. (Starting to realise the insanity of this as pretty much every plate looks the same. I should experiment creating my own 'deconstructed Eggs Benedict' - you know, Michelin style!)


This was seriously good. Thick, creamy, well balanced hollandaise with a touch of sharpness coming through from the vinegar. The chives on top we a nice touch (one of the few decorative herbs I don't despise). The ham was thinly sliced and generous. And the eggs. They were spot on. No gooey white slop in sight. Every drop disappeared. And rather too quickly at that!

The atmosphere, staff, food quality and overall experience at Bistroteque was one certainly worth noting - and absolutely worth going back for.


Signing off,
B x

Jack's, Queen's Park

This morning the Bakerloo line decided to 'throw a wobbly' (that's right, a wobbly). Service was suspended from my humble QP home, to as far as Paddington. Hope's of an easy, stress free and quick route to the office was quickly diminished. Instead of trying to squeeze onto the next Overground train - and more likely still be late for work - Nicc and I decide to head for breakfast and wait a little after rush hour for the over-crowded transport to subside...

14 June, 8am - this is early for me. I don't usually like eating before I have been up at least an hour, had coffee and practised some light yoga. (This is a joke. It is simply too early for food!)

Casting that aside, it would be rude of course not to take advantage of the quiet surroundings and head for some eggs benedict.

Jack's has been a staple on many occasions in the past. This up-scaled local cafe serves pretty much everything. It's good for cheap food that is delivered to the table fast.

The eggs benedict at Jack's comes with a choice of ham or bacon and is served with hash browns and half grilled tomato. Very filling.

We both opted for ham. And there was a generous portion of it! The dish looked OK, and although the eggs could have been cooked for slightly longer (nothing worse than under-cooked egg white) and the muffin slightly less charred, I would say it was all round good value yumminess.

Two eggs benedict, two tea's (which was the most disappointing part - grey in colour, weak in taste) and a glass of orange juice = £16. For that price, there is not much room for argument and would consider myself satisfied!

The only downside is that immediately after this unusually hearty start to a working day, all I wanted to do was sleep.... Zzz

Oh well. Work is calling and one more cup of coffee should get rid of the remaining blurry eyed focus. Onwards.


Happy Tuesday.
B x