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The Botanist

Botanist
A decent pancake can be hard to come by in this town – we’ve choked down examples that are too thin, too pale or grossly undercooked. But here, the golden fluffy discs (generously but not overly packed with fresh, tangy blueberries) would make an American housewife proud. Have them with or without bacon, and they are perfect with oozing puddles of maple syrup, served in a dinky saucer (though you’ll have to ask for a slate of rich butter on the side for slathering). Simplicity rules the menu here, with a few flash details – eggs Benedict with Parma ham, for example, or sautéed cepes and garlic on toast – joining comforting portions of scrambled eggs with Scottish smoked salmon on English muffins and grilled kippers on toast with a poached egg. The hollandaise sauce for our eggs was sublimely rich, tart and creamily textured. There are plenty of looseleaf Jing teas (try the Assam breakfast for an invigorating wake-me-up) to choose from; we also enjoyed a ‘James and the Giant Peach’ smoothie (freshly blended) of peaches, strawberries and apple juice. The room benefits from large windows and a soothing, botany inspired colour scheme which can only be conducive to a relaxing breakfast. Friendly, unobtrusive service is a plus, and there are plenty of morning papers to browse through.
Botanist, 7 Sloane Square, SW1W 8EE (7730 0077). Sloane Square tube. Breakfast served 8am-11.30am daily. Brunch served noon-3.30pm Sat, noon-4pm Sun. Breakfast for two with service: around £25. Feature continues

Also west...

202 Café
If you’re of the persuasion that breakfast should be about the glamour as well as getting a good feed, this trendy café set within fashion designer Nicole Farhi’s Westbourne Grove branch will deliver. While frequented by many a Notting Hill celeb and monied ladies of leisure, it’s fortunate that the kitchen steps up a notch to impress as much as Farhi’s autumn/winter collections. The French toast with maple syrup and bacon is a signature dish, but new additions to the menu include sweet potato, pepper and pancetta hash with a sunny-side up egg, and brunch items such as salmon and tuna skewers with mango and papaya salad.
202 Café, 202-204 Westbourne Grove, W11 2RH (7792 6888/www.nicolefarhi.com). Notting Hill Gate tube. Breakfast served 10am-noon Mon-Sat, 10am-noon Sun. Brunch served noon-4pm Sun. Breakfast for two with service: around £24.

Le Café Anglais
The modern bistro-meets-ocean liner decor of Rowley Leigh’s surprisingly convivial shopping centre restaurant is a glamorous choice for a breezy Saturday brunch. A good choice of classic breakfast dishes (eggs Benedict, smoked salmon with scrambled eggs and brioche) is supplemented with mouthwatering tongue-in-cheek options such as ham and egg with chips and down-home biscuits ’n’ gravy with fried eggs and roast tomato. Jugs of bloody Marys (£30) help it all go with a swing.
Le Café Anglais, 8 Porchester Gardens, W2 4DB (7221 1415/www.lecafeanglais.co.uk). Bayswater tube. Brunch served 11am-3.30pm Sat. Brunch for two with service: around £35.

Core Grill
A farmhouse-style table of fresh breads and huge Kilner jars of jam greets customers to this friendly organic-leaning café and grill. Light rye toast comes as standard with dishes such as smoked salmon (superb) with scrambled eggs and avocado. Orange juice is proper freshly-squeezed, well-made coffee comes from Illy and there is a great list of spicy infusions. The spacious gastropub-style tables help soften the industrial decor, as does a generous shelf of books and magazines, while huge windows and plenty of parasolled outdoor tables allow gazing over Paddington Basin and its surrounding building works.
Core Grill, West End Quay, 1 South Wharf Rd, W2 1JB (7724 4945/www.coregrill.co.uk). Paddington tube/rail. Breakfast served 8am-noon Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm Sat, Sun. Breakfast for two with service: around £20.

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