London Reviews: Book and Brunch Sundays at Lowndes Bar and Kitchen

As someone always looking for a reason to pass through Belgravia, I’m surprised that I’ve only just discovered the Lowndes Bar and Kitchen.

The restaurant’s new Book and Brunch Sundays presented the perfect opportunity for a recent weekend visit, the outdoors area particularly holding much appeal on that gloriously sunny spring afternoon…

While our table was perfectly primed for a spot of people-watching, we soaked in the spirit of the raffishly grand neighbourhood through the enthralling words of Julian Fellowes instead, with a crisp copy of his latest novel, Belgravia, handed over to us as soon as we’d settled in.

Despite my digitally-driven life, I have to say that there’s something so irreplaceably thrilling about turning the pages of a new book… More so of course with a tall flute of Prosecco in hand, which was continually refilled throughout the afternoon without any further request (we chose rather wisely with the Bottomless Bubbles option there).

In keeping up with the literary theme, we started with a selection of Short Stories.

A comforting bowl of porridge for me, with blueberries and coconut milk (for all my talk of keeping up with the London foodies, I have a timeless love-affair with the humble oatmeal). Meanwhile fresh Greek yogurt topped with an indulgently sweet maple syrup granola and berries, hit the spot for my brunch buddy – Anisha.

Next came the Great Works.

Blueberry buttermilk pancakes (sans crispy bacon for us vegetarians) with maple syrup and whipped cream. I would have personally preferred them fluffier, but Anisha was quite partial to the firm texture which held much bite!

Eggs Florentine were as heavenly as you’d find anywhere – the eggs poached to perfection, the hollandaise so full of sunshine, and the toasted English muffin delightfully light and crisp.

It was simple and unpretentious food, suffused with the welcoming homeliness characteristic of this local haunt. Despite being part of a hotel, the restaurant had a distinctly cosy, neighbourhood feel to it which was complemented by the warm and personalised service.

Having lingered for as long as we could, we moseyed along Lowndes Square after.

Past the bustle of Knightsbridge and into nearby Hyde Park, where we contented ourselves with a long and lazy walk to appreciate London in full bloom.

T’was a Sunday enchantingly well spent indeed.

The Book and Brunch Sunday set menu at Lowndes Bar & Kitchen is served from 12pm to 5pm and priced at £30 per person with a “book of the month” from Belgravia Books.

Subsequent paperbacks will include award-winning author Rose Tremain’s The Gustav Sonatawhich (shortlisted for the 2016 Costa Novel Award); Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Canadian author Madeleine Thien (2016 Man Booker Prize-shortlisted); and London-based author Rowena Macdonald’s debut novel, The Threat Level Remains Severe.

Lowndes Bar & Kitchen, 21 Lowndes Street London, SW1X 9ES