Weekend Brunch at Harrison’s in Balham

Harrison’s is the endeavour of Sam Harrison, from the successful Sam’s Brasserie in Chiswick. He’s applied his classic formula of quality British produce with an all-day offering from breakfast through to late evening: and it works.

The place is relaxed and effortlessly cool, working for couples, friends, families and businessmen. The vibe is unpretentious and friendly, but it retains a certain classic charm. The food is honest and fresh, the service efficient and smiling. It’s the perfect place to escape life for a few hours, whatever the time of day, and lazily work your way through their extensive and interesting menu. And so we did!

It was the start of a beautiful bank holiday (bright sun, blue sky) as my guest and I pottered into the restaurant in Balham. Ushered to a lovely big table by the floor-to-ceiling windows we settled in comfortably, surrounded by dark wood, striking lampshades, soft brown leather and with an excellent view of the open plan kitchen.

Having recently been for ‘brunch’ with friends and been disappointed by not much more than a basic English fry-up, my plus one was delighted by both the breakfast and brunch menus, bursting with variety and innovation.

The breakfast menu – running from 9am to midday – offered such delights such as: no hassle grapefruit, brunch yoghurt pot, posh porridge, banana and honey smoothie, buttermilk pancakes with blueberry compote and sauté creamed mushrooms on brioche.

The brunch menu – which runs from midday to 4pm – offers many of the things on the breakfast menu as well as ham and cheese croissant, piperade, parma ham and cherry tomatoes, eggs rancheros and eggs benedict. A real feast on offer.

We arrived at 11.30am to allow time to order and enjoy dishes from both menus – just one of the many chilled out approaches to service that makes Harrison’s a joy.

We started with pomegranate juice, apple, carrot and ginger juice and a brunch yoghurt pot. The juices were delicious and refreshing and the yoghurt pot, served with blueberry compote and topped with raspberries, honey and almonds, was a perfect way to start the day.

We moved on to eggs royale: smoked salmon, poached eggs and hollandaise, and saute creamed mushrooms on brioche. The mushrooms were a particular treat; succulent and rich, the sweetness of the brioche a perfect match to the earthy mushrooms.

To finish we indulged in a cup of coffee and some buttemilk pancakes with crème fraiche and fruit compot; sweet, light and fluffy, they were the perfect end to an indulgent weekend brunch.

Harrison’s
15-19 Bedford Hill
Balham
SW12 9EX

Reservations: 020 8675 6900

www.harrisonsbalham.co.uk