An English Gent-in-the-Strand
Breakfast is the new lunch? Well if you listen to the critics, it seems that they are falling over themselves to review the “breakfast experience”.
I like breakfast. My favourite breakfast ever is bacon with poached eggs, washed down by Earl Grey tea.
So in my search for a great English breakfast in London I tried to book the Wolseley only to find no space at the inn – not even for a celebrity like me!
So we plumped for Simpsons-in-the-Strand which has been serving Londoners English breakfasts since before my forefathers’ forefathers slaughtered their first pig.
I know this is nothing to do with wine but I had such a good experience I wanted to record it here. And in fact, champagne was (rightly) listed on the breakfast menu.
Simpsons-in-the-Strand is like a Gentlemen’s Club. Fine interior architecture, good quality furniture, plenty of space between tables. Service is discreet but assured.
The poached eggs were the best I have ever tasted. No hint of vinegar. Fully cooked white but fully moist yolk. Bacon was a mix of streaky and back – both superb. Orange juice was freshly squeezed and the jug was left at our table. The Earl Grey was served in a nice silver teapot and china cup.
The only negative mark is that the tea was made from a tea bag. Come on guys, at the Wolseley you get leaf tea and a silver service tea strainer – it’s all in the ceremony!
Otherwise, what an excellent breakfast experience. I’ll be back.
Simpsons-in-the-Strand, 100 Strand, London. WC2R 0EW. 020 7836 9112