The Breakfast Club Spitalfields

I had booked a table for a Xmas lunch for 4 people at 1pm. I called to confirm our booking this morning, and although we arrived on time, we still had to wait to be seated – even though the restaurant was only about 1/3 full. We ordered fairly quickly, but waited about 35-40 mins for our meals.. Which would have been OK, if all our meals were actually served. When the 3 of the meals arrived, our waiter said that my ‘Number 3 Wrap’ was still on the way… 10 mins later, still nothing. The waiter came over again to tell me it was on the way… Another 5 mins – nothing. My friends had finished with their meals (or in the case of the mex mac – she had eaten as much as possible – as it was basically an entire bowl of cheese with a VERY few pieces of macaroni), and were just waiting around for my mythical wrap, I went up to the counter to cancel it (time to go back to work – late!). Even after saying that we had ordered almost a hour beforehand, and that the other meals had come out except mine – no apology was offered by any of the staff.. Even the waiter that took our order in the first place didn't seem to care. And then when we were FINALLY attended to to be able to pay (another 5/10mins), they still had the audacity to charge for my diet Coke!? I was really looking forward to a meal here, especially as I've heard all about it since moving to London – but after this experience, I'm extremely disappointed. What should have been a nice Xmas lunch with friends, left me hungry – and all of us annoyed.

Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day. Then again, so is brunch, lunch and dinner. Though mornings and I go way back. Ever since I was old enough to speak I would wake the whole house up at 5am screaming “BREAKFAST!!” My parents, still half asleep, would have to lift me out of my crib and let me wobble down to the kitchen. I can’t remember what my breakfast staple was at the age of 2 but it was clear from then on breakfast was for me. Either way, our hungry prayers have been answered – in the form of pancakes, French toast and hash browns. The Breakfast Club serves breakfast, all day. Strolled into the Spitalfields restaurant one Saturday for late brunch. Whatever you crave in the mornings, it’s on the menu. I have never craved a breakfast burrito, maybe that’s because I’ve never tried one. Until now – the Breakfast Burrito with chorizo, scrambled egg, roasted peppers, guacamole, Cheddar and spicy pepper sauce is the definition of comfort food. So fully loaded it pretty much exploded when I cut into it. What a beautiful moment. The roasted peppers are a nice touch and no need to discuss the Cheddar. There’s cheese, it’s melting – what else do you want? Well, maybe some sour cream, guacamole and salsa. In which case you’re in luck; I piled a mix of the three onto every bite. I approve of breakfast burritos. As long as they taste like this. Only point of feedback would be that the chorizo should be diced into smaller pieces to become fully integrated throughout this Mexican infused parcel of morning glory. To top it all off – a side of fresh fruit and the coffee was intense and smooth. Huevos Al Benny with poached eggs, chorizo, roast peppers, avocado, fresh chillies, spicy Hollandaise on a toasted English muffin. Visually this was fantastic and the building blocks to this dish very similar to my burrito. Guess my friend and I just know what’s good. The eggs were effortlessly poached and the spicy edge of the Hollandaise and fresh avocado elevate the classic Egg Benedict. Unpretentious plates of food that highlight why breakfast is the best meal of the day. Simple but satisfying. Fun, trendy décor and speedy service make this your ideal breakfast or brunch chain, at a time that suits you. Try one of their smoothies, refreshing juices or why not the Bloody Mary? If you like breakfast, head to Breakfast Club. And for all those insane breakfast skippers out there, here is a chance to redeem yourselves and catch up on lost pancakes.

Lured here with 2 girlfriends on the promise of a trip “through the fridge door” (if you go, all may become clear, but who am I to blow the secret?). In fact we didn't make it there as we decided to eat first and then the 15-30mins estimated wait to get in plus likely time spent in the fridge times by the inevitable cocktail consumption seemed bound to equal midweek work disaster so we passed and I will have to come back for that particular experience another time. Fortunately that won't be a hardship… I really liked the casual atmosphere in The Breakfast Club with the mix of high stools, old rail carriage seating and occasional retro 80s paraphenalia (which they've managed not to overdo in some nauseating over-vintage-ified way). The menu covers a fair spectrum of US grub (jacket potatos, salads, waffles, wraps, burgers, buffalo wings etc) and looks unsurprisingly at its forte at breakfast time. The food, like much typical American fare, isn't going to win any prizes as the focus is on filling you up with hearty nosh at reasonable prices. Whilst I managed to finish my cheeseburger, my friend would have needed a second stomach to polish off the nachos with chilli-con-carne. Service was a little haphazard but friendly enough (they ran out of wine glasses but brought me a tumbler, fine for the bog standard red wine I was drinking). Still, at £20 for a big belly of grub and a few vinos, you can't really complain. An interesting little place tucked away in a quiet alley in the City, it fills the hole between the rambunctious nearby pubs and posey gaffes in Shoreditch.