Ottolenghi, Angel

I have built up a mini cookery library, but there are a few food writers that I always go back to for their writing, fabulous recipes that always work and beautiful photography.  I love all of the Ottolenghi books – Ottolenghi The Cookbook was the first, including delicious cakes, followed by Plenty, with new ways to hero humble vegetables, and the latest, Jerusalem, with recipes from the culinary melting pot of the city.  They are full of bold, vibrant flavours and interesting combinations and never disappoint.

The four Ottolenghi  branches (Angel, Notting Hill, Kensington & Belgravia) are also some of my favourite spots for food.  The windows and counters are filled with lines of exquisite jewel-like cakes and huge platters of colourful salads, which you can take away, and Angel and Notting Hill have seating at the back.  The Angel branch is the biggest, and luckily my closest – it’s my favourite spot for brunch in the area.

There is usually a queue for weekend brunch, but we turned up early and got a seat straight away.  The breakfast menu includes sweet and savoury, along with their fantastic breads and pastries.  

The Welsh Rarebit had a lovely mustard kick to the cheese topping on crunchy sourdough, with a perfectly poached egg and citrusy wilted chard with lemon. 

The French toast is made from their brioche and was wonderfully spongey, with a sweet cinnamon crust, tangy berries and crème fraiche.  We also shared a flakey, buttery pain au chocolat, along with a great latte and fresh mint tea.

The queue was out the door by the time we left – just prise yourself out of bed early one weekend to try and miss the crowds for their fantastic brunch.

www.ottolenghi.co.uk/