For me, breakfast usually consists of a half-hearted slice of toast smothered in butter and jam. I inevitably leave behind a corner of a piece on my plate before grabbing my keys and rushing out the door. Or, sometimes it means a hastily purchased croissant and hot chocolate from Pret before dropping crumbs all over my keyboard at work. So glamorous.
But there's a much better way to "do" breakfast in London, I've discovered: LIMA Floral on Garrick Street in Covent Garden (sister restaurant to the Michelin-starred LIMA in Fitzrovia) is the answer to my poor attempts to start the day. The Peruvian restaurant's weekend brunch offerings were so popular, they decided to launch a weekday breakfast menu as well, expanding on the regular brunch menu with a variety of fresh ingredients translated into modern Peruvian cuisine. If you're looking for something a little bit "different" to start your day, then this is it.
The choices vary from healthy (Andean cereal porridge: quinoa, almond milk, kiwicha and kaniwa, chancaca syrup) to downright dirty (Peruvian breakfast club sandwich: toasted yellow chilli bread, organic chicken, six-hours suckling pig). Accompanied by a cup of coffee, sitting in LIMA Floral's windows enjoying these breakfast choices is a great way to daydream and watch the world go by before being thrown into the jarring reality of ... work.
At Zomato's most recent #ZomatoMeetUp, we were treated to a spread of LIMA Floral's delicious breakfast offerings. From freshly baked Peruvian bread and brioche to fresh fruit and yogurt, the selection was a little overwhelming (in a good way) for that time of the morning!
Being the greedy pig that I am, I - of course - chose the Peruvian Breakfast Club Sandwich for my "main course". No regrets. The yellow chilli bread offered the slightest bit of heat to offset the rich flavors of the chicken and suckling pig. Seriously finger-licking good. It reminded me of the slightly OTT breakfasts we have in the US (think: huevos rancheros, pancakes piled high) which are just a little ... absent here in the UK, even in London.
Despite the novelty of enjoying a gourmet club sandwich for breakfast, sampling LIMA Floral's new breakfast menu got me thinking: why not treat yourself to an indulgent breakfast once in a while? Once a fortnight (that's every two weeks for you fellow Americans!)? Once a month? Once in a blue moon? I think I'll be treating myself more often! Especially if club sandwiches are on the menu ...
I was generously hosted by LIMA Floral and Zomato - thank you! All opinions are my own.