Lauren's Birthday Brunch at Le Pont de la Tour

Really, was there any better gastronomic invention than the bottomless brunch? The idea of paying a set amount of money for all the cocktails, bloody Marys and bubbly that you can drink. The perfect way to celebrate a special occasion. And I’ve found a place that will let you imbibe to your heart’s desire with out breaking the bank!

I reviewed Le Pont de La Tour, when it first reopened after a huge refurbishment. At that time, Lauren and I had only just met and we came here for lunch, getting to know each other over cocktails, seared tuna, beef tartare and delicious desserts. Fast forward a year and half and we were back in this beautiful room with a view of Tower bridge celebrating her birthday with our other halves and her best friends. Brunch is served in the Bar & Grill rather than the more formal restaurant and on this auspicious occasion the room was buzzing with people enjoying a weekend mimosa.

The menu is fairly fluid and you can order two courses for £20 and three courses for £25, around the table we mix and matched the courses, some people opting for starters over desserts and some people going for all three. For £17 you can add bottomless mimosas, though our waiter seemed happy for us to have plain prosecco, which he kept topping up even well after the bill was paid. The most popular starter around the table was the smoked salmon with raw fennel and rye bread. Simple and delicious.
There’s also the option of having eggs with the usual holy trinity of benedict, royale and florentine on offer. When it comes to main courses, classic bistro-style dishes from the French-inspired menu are available.

Mr S went for a steak with shoe string fries.

While I went for cod with a sauce of capers and brown butter. I have to say that my cod wasn’t much to look at and I thought that it might end up being a little dry but actually it flaked apart beautifully and was totally delicious.

Another popular dish on the table was the crispy confit duck with poached egg and elsewhere ‘brunch’ burgers with smoked bacon, guyere cheese and gherkins were ordered.
For dessert there was the option of a cheese course…
A warm chocolate brownies with chantilly cream and fruit compote…
Though I think that Lauren definitely won the prize for best dessert, with the homemade doughnuts and cream.
Rounding off with a birthday cake and more mimosas, it was the ideal way to spend a special birthday weekend!