[London] A favourite spot for locals and tourists alike, The Black Penny Situated on the edge of Covent Garden, is one of the best places in London to visit for an out-of-the ordinary breakfast or brunch during the weekends.
Homemade baked beans, harissa scrambled eggs and Ozdemir Pasha are all fantastic ways to start a lazy Saturday or Sunday morning.
Sip and good cup of their coffee or Matcha and chat with great friends and you are on to a winning weekend.
(Photo credit: The Black Penny)
The Black Penny was remodelled a couple of years ago and opened in a new guise.
Since then it has built up a loyal following, and become rather popular.
If you arrive after 11am at the weekends expect to be queuing for a while as table space is limited. Thankfully you can reserve a table in advance. However, you will be given a window by the end of which, you will need to have finished ready for the next group to come in.
Walk in from the chilli street and you will be welcomed by a plethora of delicious smells. Coffee’s jostle for your senses with the smells of cooked breakfasts and a whole host of wonderful baked produce.
Next to the stunning aromas, you will notice the counter.
It would be filled to the brim with an array of delicious looking cakes and pastries, as well as a whole host of healthier options such as muesli and fruits served with yoghurt.
What makes The Black Penny special has to be the food.
Some of its breakfast classics include Bubble ‘N’ Steak (£10.90, SGD$19.60) of grilled pork and sage sausages; Red Eggs (£10.90, SGD$19.60) of Harissa spiced scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and herbs; The Gatherer (£12.90, SGD$23.20) which has eggs on sourdough toast with grilled halloumi; Wild Mushroom and Crispy Polenta Hash (£10.90, SGD$19.60).
Meals like Ozdemir Pasha (£10.90, SGD$19.60) and drinks such as their Matcha Latte really make The Black Penny stand out.
They are dedicated to bringing you more out-of-the-ordinary or interesting food combinations which you might not get on the menu at other restaurants or cafes in London.
The restaurant is divided into three small sections upstairs. There is the counter and a small ‘bar’ area where you can see lots of the different foods on offer, place an order, pay for your food before leaving or get a coffee.
Walking past this, you will come to the main dining space. There are several tables wrapped around two small areas. Tables are packed tightly together, but this helps to create an intimate atmosphere which lends the whole place a general feel of being at home.
Downstairs, there is a single larger dining space with one big table. If you are going as a big group you can book this space and enjoy breakfast with 10-12 of your friends.
You will get table service at all three areas.
What really sells The Black Penny are the breakfasts.
One of the most popular dishes on the menu is a vegetarian breakfast called Ozdemir Pasha (£10.90, SGD$19.60).
It came with two fried eggs, grilled halloumi cheese and a butter bean hummus. There was sumac for spice and flavour, as well as fresh tomato and chopped parsley, served with crusty bread.
I have also tried the Hunters Breakfast (£12.90, SGD$23.20), a sumptuous take on the classic English breakfast which would keep you going all day. It included eggs done to your preference on sourdough toast with grilled sausage, smoked bacon, roasted mushrooms and special Black Penny beans.
The French Toast (£9.50, SGD$17.00) served with spiced apple compote, candied walnuts, maple, with crispy smoked bacon and syrup all over was said to be a “mind blowing” treat for my companions.
Remember to book in advance at weekends to get a table. The Black Penny is dog friendly, so if you have a four legged friend like I do, you can bring them along for a breakfast treat of their own.
The Black Penny is just a few minutes’ walk from Covent Garden tube station and on the outskirts of the fashionable area.
After dining the The Black Penny, you will probably need a bit of a walk to burn some of your breakfast off. It should be a beautiful sight of streets, eclectic mix of shops. New London Theatre and Roal Opera House are not too far away.
The Black Penny
34 Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5AA, United Kingdom
Tel: +4420 7242 2580
Opening hours: 8:00am – 6:00pm (Mon – Fri), 9:00am – 5:00pm (Sat – Sun)
http://www.theblackpenny.com
Google Maps – The Black Penny
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* Written by DFD’s London Correspondent Russell Bowes. When he is not sampling the best food the city has to offer, he is either cooking it up in his kitchen or exploring the rest of Europe. Daniel’s Food Diary pays for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
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