Ask For Janice | Brunch in London

Ask For Janice sits on the walk between work and the dentist, which means it gets passed regularly but rarely visited. It’s also close to the Barbican Centre, an area that doesn’t come up much at weekends. A visit a few weeks ago proved worthwhile. The room is rustic without trying too hard: wooden furniture, a couch in the corner, white-painted brick, exposed concrete pillars and plenty of greenery. It works just as well for a drink and a read, a sketch or a bit of work as it does for a meal. Brunch here isn’t the standard format. The initial assumption was that only a bottomless brunch was on offer, which wasn’t appealing for a boozy breakfast on a smaller budget. The waitress explained that you can instead pick items from the food list, mix and match, and pay £6 per plate. Three plates between two people felt about right. There are freshly squeezed juices (grapefruit is a good pick), and three veggie plates were ordered to share. Each one arrived a little different from what was expected. The standout was the Bloody Mary beans on toast with horseradish cream, with the carrot hotcake a close second. Since nearly all the veggie plates were ordered, it’s fair to say the brunch isn’t especially vegan friendly, so it’s worth checking the menu before you go. If you’re near the Barbican, it’s worth trying. Cocktails and other food are served in the evening too, which is reason enough to head back.