Friends of Ours review
Getting through the pandemic in 2021 was getting easier, but the hospitality scene still had trouble reopening with the new Delta variants. During the lockdown, I’ve been thankful for Deliveroo and Ubereats for helping me find new places to try.
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Friends of Ours was one of them, my very first order from them was their infamous bacon focaccia and baked toasts. Below are the mouth-watering shots from my delivery. I made a promise to go visit them in person and after a trip to the newly reopened Museum of the Home formally known as Geffrye Museum.
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Location
I walked through residential homes to get to Friends of Ours, however, the café is located in between Hoxton and Old Street. The co-owners Anthony Dyer and Man Wong met in the city in London. Anthony fell in loved with the Australia and New Zealand brunch scene during his travels and was inspired to open an Aussie style café back in London.
The café itself is small, and there’s seating outside if you want the brave the cold. I perched myself inside by the window spot. Almost immediately staff asked if I wanted to order a coffee before seeing the food menu.
Food menu
The menu is short and seasonal at the time of visiting; it was the last few weeks of the Autumn menu. On the menu are focaccia sandwiches sourced from Dusty Knuckle, porridges, French toast, kedgeree, mushrooms on toast, eggs on toast. You can find halloumi, hash browns, bacon, avocado and extras. The ingredients are sourced throughout the UK, and other local businesses like the Dark Arts Coffee, Good & Proper Tea etc.
A feast for the eyes
I was in luck and managed to order the very last Japanese Benedict £14.50. Served up on a stylish plate, presentation on point. The Japanese Benedict has influences from the Japanese pancake okonomiyaki, but with Friends of Ours own spin. The okonomiyaki is made up of fermented cabbage, king prawns batter. Layered on top is the sirloin steak, pan-fried samphire, poached egg, XO hollandaise sauces, bonito flakes and herbs.
Egg yolk runs as soon as you cut into it. Sirloin steak is cooked to perfection, and the simple cutlery knife slices through the meat with no problem. XO hollandaise sauce is laid thickly on top of the poached egg.
The low down
Opened in 2015, they will be opening a new site at Wandsworth in March 2022
Price: ££
Nearest station: Old Street, Hoxton
For more information on Friends of Ours
For more information visit Friends of Ours website.
61 Pitfield Street,
London, N1 6BU
Mon — Fri: 8am — 5pm
Sat — Sun: 9am — 5pm