Mr Fogg’s Botanical Brunch

The blurb

For those familiar with Mr Fogg’s collection of adventurous bars, you’ll probably know them and love them for their herbaceous cocktails inspired by the fictional explorer’s travels around the world in 80 days. But at Mr Fogg’s House of Botanicals, there’s more on the menu than exotic libations. New to the group’s Fitzrovia outpost is a Botanical Brunch, served up amidst Victorian interiors and alongside eccentric travel souvenirs every Saturday from 12.01pm. Located on the corner of Newman and Goodge Street, stop in for a small but scrumptious selection of brunch creations all washed down well with free-flowing bellinis or your choice of exquisitely crafted cocktails.

The style

If you like a themed eatery, Mr Fogg’s seldom disappoints. Home to the character’s vast botanical library, this place is packed with curiosities; think birdcages hanging overhead, apothecary drawers lining the bar, and endless specimens encased in oversized cloches. And that’s just downstairs where brunch is served. Up the spiral staircase you’ll find the Victorian-style Drawing Room whose vintage floral-print armchairs play host to afternoon tea and evening cocktails. You won’t have to wait long for your pancakes, but while you do, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.

The crowd

Almost as eclectic as its interiors, this brunch crowd is an unplaceable one. You’ll spot velvet headband-wearing girlfriends catching up over bellinis, tourists photographing their vanilla cheesecakes, middle-aged couples on double dates and group gatherings of over 60s. Yup, this playful House of Botanicals welcomes one and all, drawing brunch-loving folk from much further afield than the neighbouring postcodes. Think you can walk in mid shopping spree? Think again. It’s a popular spot that you should probably reserve.

The food

With just five mains and two desserts to choose from, Mr Fogg’s Botanical Brunch menu isn’t a vast one. That said, you might still find yourself umming and ahhing between the tasty dishes. If brunch isn’t brunch without an egg or two involved, try the fishcake florentine ft. lashings of mango hollandaise (£11). Otherwise, hit the carbs hard with the deep-fried, extra crispy Baltic röstis topped with house-cured salmon and a flavour-packing horseradish crème fraiche (£12.50), or dive into a fluffy stack of classic blueberry and maple pancakes (£11).

Dining light or plant-based? The surprisingly meaty portobello mushroom steaks with chimichurri and avo (£10) make a fine choice and you’ll have space to top it all off with a vegan chocolate truffle tart delightfully served with a dollop of coconut whipped cream (£7.50).

The drinks

Beloved for its quirky cocktails, if you’re brunching at Mr Fogg’s Fitzrovia site, an accompanying tipple or two goes without saying. Try the Beety Mary (£11) for a gingery beetroot and rum reinvention of the restorative brunch staple, or the Rosaloma (£12), a floral take on Mexico’s favourite tequila cocktail. Like your brunches extra boozy? Go bottomless with a selection of botanical bellinis (£36 including main and dessert).

In a nutshell

This might not be the greatest brunch menu you’ve ever come across, but if a quirky concept and some kick-ass cocktails sound like a hoot to you, then you won’t regret a Saturday afternoon spent at Mr Fogg’s House of Botanicals. It’s tasty, affordable and as boozy an experience as you’d like it to be in a setting that’s designed to entertain. What more could you ask for?

The details

www.mr-foggs.com/house-of-botanicals/

48 Newman Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1QQ

020 7590 5256

botanicals@mr-foggs.com

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