Leila's Shop
Rating: Eggs Florentine - Eggs Benedict
London brunch review - Leila's Shop. Everyone is talking about Red Church Street – the shops, the restaurants, the galleries. I have to admit that when I cruise through Shoreditch I use to end up walking through the same streets again and again. Why? Just because so much is happening there anyway that you are stunned enough till your next visit. Big mistake!
I’ve read about “Leila’s Shop” several times and I always put it off to go there, because I knew it is more a neighbourhood café than a posh brunch spot with a page-long choice of dishes. I tell you what though – I just have to remind myself more of my student-self back in the days. I loved those places, where you bring your books, drink an uncountable amount of coffees and watch passers-by during you are dreaming away from your papers to the next social gathering with your friends.
Next door is a true treasure room! Fresh rye bread, fresh fish, vegetables in all colours and sizes and handmade jam are lining up next to each other in this small corner shop. Buying something here makes you immediately feel better :)
“Leila’s Shop” is tiny and it is cramped. There are two tables outside which could actually be a nice option in summer (Calvert Avenue is quiet and rather gives you the feeling of sitting in a calm part of Amsterdam than a few metres away from buzzing Shoreditch High Street) and there is maybe space for up to 30 people inside. The menu can be found on a black board on the wall, what coffee or drinks are available can only be found out by asking. The open kitchen gives you an insight on the fresh ingredients being used, a great look at the coffee machine – BIG like – and a few croissants, brownies and cakes are on offer on the till.
Breakfast/brunch is apparently strictly served till 12:30pm sharp. We try to order at 12:40pm without any success. Therefore we go for the easy option of fried eggs in a pan, which for whatever reason can only be ordered in one style for the whole table… and you can only get two eggs. Not one and not three. Why? Again – it will remain a mystery…
The drinks are too small for their price, but the food is excellent. No matter if we are talking about the brown bread with Serrano ham, cheese and gherkins or the bespoken fried eggs in a pan. It needs a good sense for seasoning that you don’t have to add salt and/or pepper to those and they still have a fantastic taste.
Our tummies are all well filled when we lean back and soak up the background noises of clanking cutlery, laughter and the sizzling coffee maker. I spot the cheese board on another table and it makes me think of coming back here in the late afternoon on a foggy autumn day when after walking through brown, yellow and red leaves all wrapped up in gloves and a scarf opening the door to a cosy place like this feels like arriving.
Do you want to spend this lovely site a visit as well? Then – go for brunch, London!
Cappuccino: .......................................................................................£2,80
Bloody Mary: ......................................................................................£ ---
Fried eggs in a pan with sage: ...........................................................£6,00
Leila's Shop, 15 - 17 Calvert Avenue, London E2 7JP
Open: Wed - Sat: 10:00 - 18:00, Sun: 10:00 - 17:00
Phone: 020 7729 9789
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Leilas_Shop
