Breads Etcetera (The Ferm)

Restaurants

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Clapham

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Tue Jun 26 2012

Breads Etcetera had a change of ownership late in 2012, and is currently undecided about what to call itself. The signage and staff still call it Breads Etcetera, while menu calls it The Ferm. Not that most of the regulars have noticed, or care; the many loyal customers still of this bakery-cum-café call it Breads Etcetera, just as they have for the last decade.

Come noon every weekend, there will be a queue of up to half an hour, out the door into Clapham High Street, waiting for a table. So what’s the attraction? What the Danes call hygge, the Germans call Gemütlichkeit; a relaxed cosiness, created by smiling staff and toasters on the table.

An enormous basket of freshly-baked sourdough loaves on a counter-top in the middle of the room: white or wholemeal, rye or seeds, and all still wonderful despite the change of baker. The idea is to help yourself, cutting off as many different slices as you dare, and toast them at your table. This ‘DIY’ option costs £6.50, and as the staff point out, the only slightly dearer all-day breakfasts work out better value as you then get the bread for ‘free’. Not that you’ll have much room for extra toast, as the breakfast portions are huge; the ‘super duper huge omelette’ overflows even the large dinner plate it’s served on.

The vegan and vegetarian options are particularly strong, from the fruit and nut french toast to a vegan version of pyttipanna (Swedish bubble ’n’ squeak).

In the evenings the emphasis changes to an Italian menu, with – of course – sourdough-based pizzas among the options.

Note: it’s cash only.

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Address:
Breads Etcetera (The Ferm) 127 Clapham High Street
London
SW4 7SS

Opening hours:
Open 10am-10pm Tue-Sat; 10am-4pm Sun
Transport:
Tube: Clapham Common or Clapham North tube
Price:
Main courses £5.50-£12
Map
1. Breads Etcetera (The Ferm)
  - 127 Clapham High Street
    London
    SW4 7SS
  - 51.462103,-0.136312

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Comments & ratings

(22 ratings)

I love this place for breakfast and dinner too! Not many people know that it's there for dinner and they're really missing out. It's a totally different atmosphere to breakfast and is super warm and cosy, with delicious pizzas, salads and wine all very reasonably priced!

Lindsey Davis Fri Feb 8
Rated as: 5/5
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Amazing cosy little cafe! Great scones and coffee! Helena was a big help for our New Years plans!

Anna Fri Dec 21 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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I had heard many good things about this delightfully cosy restaurant/bakery, so on deciding to visit with my partner for Saturday breakfast, my expectations were high. And I'm thrilled to say that neither of us were disappointed. The popularity of this restaurant did mean queueing for 15mins outside, however we were continually kept up to date with the progress of vacant tables and fed free samples of their divine homemade scones and muffins. These baking delights continued when encouraged to help ourselves to their sourdough breads (including two types of rye), to then take to our own personal toasters, accompanied by homemade jams. The menu was specific but varied so as to suit whichever mood you may be in - whether it 's some heart-warming porridge, or a refreshing dish named "Victoria's Breky", made up of salmon, dill mayonnaise and scrambled eggs (my personal favourite!). All coffee fans would be impressed by their own house roast, I sampled a delicious, non bitter cappuccino. And the Hot Chocolate was to die for. One of the best's I've had in London! The attention paid to us throughout our morning kept our spirits high, great customer service up until we left the restaurant. This is a little gem of a place, with a buzzing atmosphere and a completely unpretenscious environment. One which I couldn't leave without buying myself a walnut sourdough loaf to take home and feed to my friends so that they could get a taster for our experience. Very much looking forward to returning and testing out their sourdough pizzas which supposedly out do Franco Manca'!!

Laura Eagle Mon Oct 8 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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Came on here to mention the poached eggs, but I see Dave has beaten me to it. When asked if we could have poached, the response was, "we don't have poached eggs". The poached egg chicken must have been on holiday when we were there. The scrambled egg chicken was working though, although his weren't great.

Gav Tue Sep 25 2012
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Doesn't do poached eggs..... need i say more?

Dave Thu Sep 13 2012
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Fantastic breakfasts! We ordered 4 quite different options and all arrived together with each one looking impressive. I was told the flat whites were also very good by my friends My fiancé has a dairy intolerance and when she asked for an alternative to butter for the signature toast options, the kind chap popped down the road to buy her a suitable dairy free alternative! Great food, great service, great experience – Top Marks!

Clarke Sun Aug 26 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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FAB FOOD, GREAT service... I cannot find fault even at busy times. queueing is part of it, once your in you can toast away!

Elsie Thu Aug 16 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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came across this place by accident. Had a very nice breakfast there. baked eggs were great. Bread was great. service when we visited on both mornings was very good. Def worth a visit.

gary manchester Mon Aug 6 2012
Rated as: 4/5
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I have only ever checked out The Ferm/Breaks etc in the evening, and, aside from the idiosyncratic branding, it's an ideal getaway from the Friday and Saturday night Clapham High St. rush: cosy ambience, polite service and cool music to accompany a simple but freshly oven baked pizza - all for a decent price (beers excepted).

Sal Mon Jul 16 2012
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Most of the reviews are are about the breakfast/brunch and bread. We went in the evening when the caff functions as a rather quiet, lovely and cheap restaurant. The decor and music are nice, the pizzas excellent, though with quite different toppings from a normal Italian. Whenever we've been it's been very quiet, which we find lovely, but extraordinary. Well, don't too many of you go...

Abe Mon Jul 16 2012
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Breads Etcetera (The Ferm)

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