Zombies, Pastries and The Modern Pantry...

I've always been a fan of post-apocalyptic horror.  Scenes of cities we usually associate with frenetic movement somehow totally deserted save for the occasional zombie / reanimated dinosaur.  This Sunday was much like one of those days as we awoke to beautiful sunshine and an east London seemingly devoid of all people.  Working under the assumption that it was the Bank Holiday that had cleared out the city rather than a flesh eating virus we headed to The Modern Pantry in Clerkenwell to check out their brunch...

I'm always told not to judge a book by its cover but where The Modern Pantry is concerned such superficiality could only inspire confidence.  It looks stunning.  A long, rustic wooden table with a stack of fresh pastries welcomed us and it wasn't long before a flat white accompanied by a pain au raisin were delivered to placate me until the main event.  Now let's just pause a moment and talk pastry.  For me it has to have a microlayer of crispiness on the outside with an almost dough like elasticity in the middle.  I'd normally opt for my pain to be au chocolat but they'd already been spirited away - the custardy folds of the raisin variety didn't disappoint though.  Coffee was pretty good too and it always makes me smile to see the baristas fussing over their equipment like enthusiastic mechanics tinkering with a vintage E-Type.  Given the choice I would double the cup size for extra pastry dunkability but I'm a bit of a pig like that...
  

Ms S. took a liking to the Passion Fruit, Orange, Banana, Yoghurt & Honey Smoothie.  It could have been blended with ice for a more refreshing kick but it was still a good prelude to the next course.

Act II came in the form of Danish Beer & Cassava Waffles with Bacon and Maple Syrup.  If ever a waffle looked like a saturated washing-up sponge then this was the one, but trust me a washing-up sponge never tasted so good.  Topped with curls of deliciously caramelized bacon reminiscent of maple coloured wood shavings the combination of flavours and textures was a perfect Canadian symphony.  

 
Ms S. opted for the poached eggs, bacon, mushrooms and grilled tomatoes.  A tasty example of all its constituent parts but the dish did have me questioning once again the merits of the grilled tomato.  Correct me if I am wrong but is this not the most pointless addition to any breakfast ?  Cooked until the centre is reduced to a flavourless moosh whilst the skin is left just tough enough to feel like you are chewing on a prophylactic, I'm skipping this one until Heston gets his hands on it.

The conclusion ?  The Modern Pantry is a definite must on the London brunch trail and with a quirky menu including the likes of Blueberry & Manouri Pancakes and Poached Eggs with Yuzu Hollandaise I see an imminent return trip.  With a pitcher of Restorative Bloody Mary headlining the menu it seems as though zombies are welcome too.