Brunch love

The older I get, the more brunch is my meal with friends of choice. Strong link to me being knackered most evenings. But it's also the best part of the day right? Anything is possible in the morning - could be the start of the best day of your life.

I've been to the exmouth market branch of Caravan a few times - ace coffee, relaxed and fresh, exciting menu. They recently opened a branch in a renovated grain store near the canal in an area which is undergoing a renovation project in kings cross.

I was picking a friend down from the North up for the weekend; giving me the perfect excuse to try it out. It's a ten minute walk from Kings Cross station, and has a beautiful spot. When we arrived at around 1 on a Saturday there was a queue - a good sign for them as the space is huge.

We waited at the bar , where the 3 staff serving drinks all did an exceptional job of avoiding eye contact with all customers - so we were still waiting for a drink when our table came up 20 minutes later. Not the best start but hey it's a beautiful venue - industrial, yet warm. Buzzing without being noisy. The tables are all well spaced. Our waitress was lovely, drinks arrived immediately ( good smoothies, exceptional coffee as you would expect - they roast on site).

Ali ordered raclette and spinach French toast, I went for leek rarebit. Both utterly delicious, reasonably priced and a great place to spend a few hours. We left happy. They just need to sort out the bar service.

Battersea gets a tiny bit cooler

Those of you that know me will know well enough that I'm anti posh. Saying that I appear to live in the middle of posh land. Fun as it is to mock / try and trip up all the little and big tarquin's roaming around the place - most weekends I escape to the east or north for a morning coffee.

So I was intrigued to read about a local coffee spot which was considering venues in Shoreditch and ended up in erm well clapham junction. This place was within 10 minutes of where I live. Quite unbelievable.

So in true south london style ; me , my ugg's and my gillet ( someone shoot me please, and ideally before I start bleaching my hair and get a labrador) head on over to check it out.

The colours are good - Grey with some sunny yellow - the design of the place is warm yet rugged; cool yet still comfy and welcoming. It made me think of how many of my friends would like it ( Maartje and Nicky especially).

My flat white looked beautiful - little bubbles on the surface, we both ordered a ciabatta with egg mayo and smoked bacon - it turned up in galvinised steel boxes and baking sheets - tasted completely delicious and made me smile. Tea was served in a sunny yellow cup, milk in a minature milk bottle.

It's love, I'm coming back - just don't let the yummy mummies know.

x

http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/venue/2%3A30697/birdhouse