LFF'S LONDON: BRUNSWICK HOUSE CAFE

LFF’s London is back to pay a visit to a hidden treasure in South London – Brunswick House Café. This post is in collaboration with Barclaycard, who invited me to review one of my favourite independent businesses to celebrate their Freedom Rewards card. I couldn’t think of anywhere better to blog about than this restaurant, it’s one of those Narnia-like places that transports you to another world upon stepping inside

Brunswick House Café adjoins Lassco architectural salvage company– a wonderful shop full of antique curiosities housed in the most beautiful Georgian building in Vauxhall. This mansion (built in 1758) is one of the few historic buildings in the area to survive the bombings of World War II. 

The menu at The Brunswick Café is my kind of food – simple, interesting and properly delicious. Portion sizes are good (nothing more gutting than miniscule Michelin-star plates) with the focus is on high-quality ingredients combined with key flavours.   I started with smoked salmon and horseradish with sharp pickled cucumber contrasted against sweet soda bread. For my main I chose the vegetarian option (I’m a pescatarian) – an unctuous salsify gratin with pickled walnuts and watercress (and delicious bitter endive leaves in balsamic). 

By far the best discovery of this visit to the Narnia of Vauxhall was the cocktail menu that my guest Marcus and I sampled at the Brunswick bar. ‘The Treacle No.1’ (Flor De Cana 7yr rum, vanilla, cloudy apple, bitters) was perfect – full of subtle sweet and fruity flavors. I am ashamed to admit my appetite evaded me come dessert so instead we finished dinner with restorative espressos.

A big LFF thanks goes to Barclays for enabling me to share this special place and The Brunswick House Cafe for a fabulous pre-Christmas dinner x

Barclaycard’s Freedom Rewards Card lets you earn points no matter where you spend. Unlike other loyalty cards, the Freedom Rewards card literally rewards every single purchase, so whether you’re at your favourite independent retailer, buying gifts from a unique craft shop or are buying a round of drinks at your local pub, you can be earning points. In addition, you can earn double and triple points in major retailers. Visit the Freedom Rewards website to find out more.