In the foodie world that we live in, we have dedicated days celebrating anything and everything from tater tots (yes really, in the U.S.) to #WorldNutellaDay that just recently went by.
My favourite?
Pancake Day.
Rather than a marketing gimmick by food brands, it’s actually steeped in centuries-old traditions, also going by the name Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras (“fat Tuesday” in French) or Fasnacht (“night of the fast” in German).
In Christianity, it signals the commencement of the 40-day fasting period of Lent, starting on the next day.
While in ancient Paganism, it heralded the onset of spring (pancakes being considered emblematic of the sun!)
Whatever the origin, Pancake Day is a celebration religiously observed to date, across cities and cultures. Falling this year on the 9th February, it’s the perfect occasion methinks to round up stacks on stacks of this heavenly brunch staple…
Granger and Co
… Starting with the pinnacle of all pancakes, Bilbo Granger’s ricotta hotcakes.
Granger & Co’s signature recipe centres on the ricotta being folded into the batter, resulting in the most light and delightfully fluffy pancakes. Served with bananas and a rich home-made honeycomb butter, this is a plate that I’ll happily queue up for time and time again at their cosy Notting Hill cafe!
Full review, here.
Ben’s Canteen
Speaking of banana pancakes, these are done tremenjusly well at Ben’s Canteen Battersea too, where they’re drenched in salted caramel sauce and topped off with yogurt and maple syrup. Add on the cheerful, laid back vibes of this neighbourhood institution and you’ll have Jack Johnson crooning at the back of your head too…
“Waking up too early
Maybe we can sleep in
Make you banana pancakes
Pretend like it’s the weekend now”
More on Ben’s Canteen as part of my brunch guide, here.
Chiltern Firehouse
Smooth and soft, melt-in your mouth buttermilk pancakes smothered with blueberries, crème fraîche and maple syrup… If you’d like to keep things classic, then breakfast in the cosy cobbled courtyard of Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone should also do quite nicely.
Full review, here.
Christopher’s
Christopher’s, the handsome American restaurant in Covent Garden is another timeless favourite for all manners of brunchy goodness, including a classic buttermilk stack.
But if for any good reason, you can’t make your way to Christopher’s, then you’ll be pleased to know that you can whip these up yourself at home, following their signature recipe which they’ve shared on this blog, here!
Bombay favourites
I’ll be celebrating the day in Bombay this year and have to admit that we’re rather spoilt for choice here as well…
Although I think I might find myself heading to the BAD Cafe in Bandra, drawn back by my most recent discovery of their remolacha – a beetroot pancake, textured with sliced oranges, flaked almonds and a dollop of cream cheese – and creative caffeine concoctions… Definitely the makings of a perfect morning, if you ask me!
Full review, here.
And what about you guys – where and how will you be marking Pancake Day this year? Do spill in the comments below!
Granger & Co is possibly my fave place in London for pancakes. I’m out tonight so sadly won’t eat any, will have to eat some at the weekend instead!
Good idea Suze, every Sunday is a pancake day in my books! Hope you had a lovely weekend 🙂 xx
Talk about #pancakeporn!
That’s a hashtag I could happily use all day , everyday ! Xx
Ok so you already know I love the christopher’s one but I really must thank you for introducing me to the Granger and Co Pancakes – I’m a little cross with myself for orderings eggs when I went there now in hindsight! 🙂
Hmm perhaps we should plan another blogger brunch date at Granger & Co instead, or better yet a brunch crawl across our favourites?! Xx
yummy!:)
Hard choosing a favourite isn’t it?! Xx