A couple of weekends ago a friend of mine was visiting London so we decided to catch up over one of my favourite past times; BRUNCH!
On my trusty, couldn’t live without it, iPhone I have a ‘places to eat’ note that is ever growing and is separated by brunch places, restaurants and even specific London suburbs. Yes I am a bit of a (super) organised freak like that haha ;) High on my brunch places-to-go list was the venue for our catch up; ‘St Ali’ in Farringdon.
St Ali is Australian owned and a sister branch of an esteemed coffee-focused cafe established in Melbourne 11 years ago. Most of my favourite London brunch places seem to be Antipodean owned or operated. Antipodeans are real foodies and they seem to have the formula for cafe culture down pat; creative, simple but delicious food, good coffee and friendly service!
A discreet entrance on a busy road in Farringdon leads you to a door with their name lit in light-bulbs! There was quite a large queue outside the door so I was expecting a long wait but surprisingly they dealt with the people waiting very efficiently and after about fifteen minutes we were lead upstairs to our table. The restaurant is quite large and has a really cool industrial yet warm feel to it; there’s a huge roaster downstairs, a big coffee counter, lots of bare brick walls and gorgeous black and gold textured skull bones wallpaper!
I ordered myself a fresh mint tea while taking a while to umm and ahh over what to order from their mouth-watering menu; it all just sounded sooo delicious! In the end I decided on the corn fritters, baby spinach, grilled halloumi, kasundi with poached eggs…..
…which was definitely the right choice! Fluffy cooked fritters, with salty haloumi, a sweet chutney and perfectly poached eggs. Nom nom. My friend ordered the baked free range eggs, roast pepper, chorizo, saffron & tomato ragu with feta which was delicious but think he definitely suffered from some food envy hehe ;)
After our meals I was craving something sweet and their toasted banana bread with date & orange jam and espresso mascarpone definitely hit the spot. It was just WOW!!
If you are ever around Farringdon (or I’d say it’s even worth making a special d-tour for) then definitely check out this great restaurant and I bet their lunch or dinner menu will be just as amazing!
St Ali
27 Clerkenwell Road
London, EC1M 5RN
Phone: 020 7253 5754
Web: www.stali.co.uk
After brunch we walked further east to roam around the Columbia Road flower markets!
We bought some flowers, herbs and soaked up the sun while enjoying a cold beverage!
“Sarah’s minimalist style is presented in ‘You Are Here,’ which references the not so unfamiliar icon placed on outdoor maps. It playfully reminds the viewer of their presence and spectatorial position in front of the piece, acknowledging that they are there, if you needed reminding!!”
What I really loved about this print is that it will remind me to ‘live in the moment’. Anywhere I will have this on my walls, no matter what country or city I live in, it will allow me to focus on ‘I am here’!
♥ “The past is never there when you try to go back. It exists, but only in memory.
To pretend otherwise is to invite a mess.” Chris Cobbs
♥ “With the past, I have nothing to do nor with the future. I live now.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
♥ Carpe Diem “Seize the day”
Sorry it’s a little late this week but still Happy Hump Day everyone. Night night xoxo
We bought some flowers, herbs and soaked up the sun while enjoying a cold beverage!
love the photos!
Do you use instagram? What’s your name, I wanna follow you!
love! you’ve just inspired me to have brunch with girlfriends this weekend!
xoxo
kiki
http://www.alwaysbright.blogspot.com
I loved St Ali’s in Melbourne for years – had no idea there was one in London!
Your photos are beautiful!