The Peruvian sweetheart in the city, Tio Lucho's, gave into brunch this year with its own refreshing twist - with salads, ceviche, and avocado toast with egg salad. The Ceviche Carretillero, in particular, is an umami treat. The base is leche de tigre and red miso (combining light and rich components), topped with fresh grouper, fried calamari, and crispy corn. There are many textures, many layers of flavor here, pricked with fresh acidity - why would you not want to wake up like this?
Elliot's in east London has many hip credentials: the blond-wood colour scheme, the off-sale natural wine bottles, LCD Soundsystem and David Byrne playing at just the right decibel. The menu also features the right buzzwords, such as small plates and wood grill. But first comes snacks. There are classics: focaccia, olives, anchovies on toast. But more creative options include potato flatbreads with creme fraiche and trout roe, mangalitsa saltimbocca with quince, and what became (and has stayed) the Hackney restaurant's signature dish since around 2012, Isle of Mull cheese puffs: plump, gooey croquettes filled with Scottish cheddar and comte, deep-fried until crisp and topped with yet more grated cheddar. Only two other dishes have never left the menu: fried potatoes with aioli and cheesecake.
The historic space that formerly held the Italian restaurant Artu now houses 12 tiger-print bar stools and 30 lounge seats, primarily in the form of lush velvet-covered banquets and cozy swivel armchairs. The quirky layout of the old brownstone translates to a moody cocktail bar, full of nooks and crannies for romantic date nights and semi-private conversations, designed by Assembly Design Studio.
