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Close to Clapham Junction, Social Pantry in Lavender Hill, Battersea, is a bohemian café with killer cakes and beautiful breakfasts. It’s a light, bright kind of place with an outdoorsy feel, lots of pastels and quirky mismatched wooden tables. We went to check out the delicious brunches, which run until 2pm daily, as a nice way to break up our day and stave off the winter blues.
The menu at Social Pantry changes regularly, but you’re guaranteed good quality and responsibly sourced ingredients, and a very wholesome offering. I opted for mascapone mushrooms on toast as a thoroughly filling late brunch. But this is much more than mushrooms on toast. Firstly, the mushrooms are baked not fried, which gives Social Pantry extra brownie points. They’re also served with spinach, which I love, and served in a creamy, gooey mascapone and parsley sauce. But if that still weren’t enough, this sexy, slippery delight is topped with two poached eggs – totalling at least four of my favourite foods all in one dish. The result was delicious and with a slightly indulgent edge, while still feeling pretty darn healthy.
Being a greedy guts, I requested two sausages on the side, not realising how epic said Ginger Pig bangers were going to be! As such I had way more than I could eat on my hands – but I certainly can’t complain about that. You can always judge a restaurant on the quality of their sausages, and these ones were magnificent.
My colleague scoffed down the ultimate avo on toast. Picture this: smashed avocado spiked with coriander, lime and chilli, served on toasted bread (or sweet potato) with feta, roast tomato and sumac. Luckily, you don’t have to picture it, because you can see our picture below.
Other delicacies which caught our eye include chai-spiced French toast (gimme gimme gimme), beetroot and feta fritters with red onion, and, of course, The Full English Pantry Breakfast – which includes Ginger Pig bacon and sausages, eggs of your choice, roast tomato, Heinz baked beans and toast with butter.
The counter offers a range of fresh, homemade goodies, such as sandwiches, cakes and salads. There are loads of fresh fruits, and some good quality teas and coffee. I tried the matcha tea, which was nicely done, without the astringency of cheap brands but with enough of a kick to wake you up. The coffees were also great and much better value than your high street brand.
We highly recommend Social Pantry both its culinary kudos, its welcoming environment and its very friendly price range. Check it out next time you’re in town.
Social Pantry also caters events and hosts private parties. For more information, visit socialpantry.co.uk.
170A Lavender Hill, London, SW11 5TG / Tel: 0207 924 4066
