Breakfast at Roast, Borough Market

Roast Restaurant Breakfast

The Roast restaurant won the Good food guide 'Best breakfast in London' 2008 so we figured with that sort of recommendation it just had to be tried. A little research on their website soon revealed that trying this would be a pricey affair but we figured that as Borough Market was a bit of a trip we should hang the expense and give it a go. We should probably have saved our money in hindsight.

Arrival

We had tried the evening before to make a reservation but got no repsonse so that morning at 8am we phoned to make a booking and were told there was no need to, just come along. When we got there we were told they couldn't accomodate us as we hadn't booked. After a little polite and firm discussion pointing out this fact 3 times eventually somebody senior stepped in and took us to a table and saved us from the young girl who was trying to fob us off. Once inside there were around 10 free tables but perhaps they were booked for later who knows? So not the greatest start.

Service

We were quickly given menus and served drinks and the service generally was very good, efficient and friendly without intruding.

The full borough breakfast

The full borough breakfast is Roasts Full english. 2 sausages,streaky bacon, 2 eggs (fried, poached or scrambled), black pudding, tomato, mushroom and fried bread. We tried poached and scrambled eggs which were both very well cooked though we were not given a choice of how we would have liked them. The bacon was totally crisped which was disappointing as it was good bacon. The sausages were too salty (and I speak as someone who takes a lot of salt), the skins were very thick too but they were at least designed for a breakfast sausage with no other overpowering flavours. The fried bread had been held too long and was hard and dry. The Mushroom and tomato were good but the highlight was the black pudding, soft and creamy and moist - a real delight. However if you fancy trying the black pudding they buy it from Orkney Rose so you can sample this delicacy without the cost of breakfast at Roasts.

Omelette

The omelette was well cooked, slightly moist and tasty.

Orkney Kippers

Served with butter and lemon, I saw no evidence of any butter on my plate which was a shame as they needed the oily moisture to lubricate the fish. These were not bad but the smoking process had overpowered the fish which was left struggling to come through. The menu did not state how the kippers were smoked but the wood used was overpowering or just plain smoked too long in my opinion. I know they did not smoke the kippers but they did source them. These would have been better served for lunch with a strong adjunct such as horseradish.

Presentation

The food was all simply presented with absolutely no fuss at all and for the price it could have done with just a little extra finesse in the final plating to make it look bit more value for money.

Conclusion

I think if you take a day trip to Borough market you would get better value and a better experience overall if you graze as you go around the market on the various food to go joints. Some fantastic looking burgers were being cooked with exotic meats, fresh oysters, Tapas, Fish and chips and the fishmonger (Shellseekers) opposite The Cider bar in Rochester walk were serving scallops with crispy bacon that looked divine and washed down with a glass of cider opposite make for a must stop here break.