The brunch movement is continuing to gather pace, and has no intention of stopping. Each week, there is a new establishment offering one as part of their menu choices. As an experienced ‘bruncher’, Sabi Phagura has spent hours whiling away weekends over bottomless Prosecco and knows exactly what to expect. But even she was amazed at the array of food that the five-star Hilton London Bankside Hotel laid on as part of their bottomless brunch menu at its stylish OXBO restaurant.
The first thing that you notice when you enter this eatery is the sheer amount of dishes displayed on the chef’s trader tables. Most of the time, brunches mean two or three choices from a menu washed down with all you can drink Prosecco in a two-hour slot. So, this was very different from the onset.
The banquet begins with a healthy buffet of Mediterranean appetisers, seafood, grilled meats and vegetables, breads, creatively chopped salads, dips, sauces and nuts. I could have easily dined on this unlimited feast alone. But I refrained because I wanted to enjoy the entire experience of a four-course meal.
A brunch is not a brunch until there are eggs on a menu in my humble opinion. And this protein powerhouse is available from the open kitchen. They can be made to order in a range of favourite ways including three-egg omelettes, Eggs Benedict, Eggs Royale and Eggs Florentine. But for those with a sweet tooth need not fear, as malted pancakes and waffles are available to tantalise the taste buds.
And the showstopper is the main event which consists of a sharing platter. The generous portion is enough to feed more than two and consists of a meat dish, a fish one and a vegetable one. The platter changes each week, and during our visit, we were treated to roast sirloin of English beef, hake and mixed bean and lentil dhal. I don’t eat beef, but Mandy assured me it was cooked just the way she likes it. I, on the other hand, was more than happy with the latter two dishes.
Just a little space left in our bellies, and we went along to the sweet section to help ourselves to an assortment of sugary treats. Expect to find yourself drooling over fresh exotic fruits, mousses, small delicate cakes and sweets just like you used to get from the ‘good old candy store’.
The prosecco jelly is good too, and there’s a whole section devoted to the fizz. Yes, ‘Pimp Your Prosecco’ really is a thing. While the attentive waiters will pour you free flowing prosecco throughout your sitting, you can get creative with it by adding fruit and compote to it to make your very own cocktail concoction. Now there’s nothing like getting the creative juices flowing with the help of a little fizz!
OXBO Bankside – Where and How?
OXBO Bankside is situated within the Hilton London Bankside Hotel at 2 – 8 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0UG, United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.oxbobankside.co.uk. To make a reservation, call 0207 5933 900 or e-mail [email protected].
The brunch experience costs just £45 per person and bookings last two hours.
Inside OXBO Bankside
You must be logged in to post a comment.