A Basque brunch? Something many of us are currently unaccustomed to. But ahead of the game for this Spanish niche in London, Eneko One Aldwych have launched their new brunch menu.
Having been open for action less than a year, Eneko still remains one of the new kids in town. With buckets of inspiration from his home town of Bilbao and with the hearty heritage of three Michelin stars; opened l ast year by Chef Eneko Atxa, this new Spanish inspired day time dining menu has been created in light of the Basque region’s gastronomic tradition combined with international brunching.
Recently launched on 4th February and available to brunchers each weekend, a quartet of culinary styles illustrate this new menu – Euskal Azoka (street food), Gallinero (eggs), Txoko (classics) and Asador (grill). Seated in a vibrant tomato red booth we kick off with a generous glass of cava and a pear Bellini from the Aperitivos to wet our midday appetites.
Mirroring Eneko’s attractive dinner menu, brunch dishes have been created to be mixed and matched. Euskal Azoka are sharing bites; similar to those found at Basque country festivals. Brunchers are able to intermingle spiced Basque sausage cooked in cider with soft corn talo, tender bites of suckling pig on brioche, and mini Basque pizzas with anchovies, local Idiazabal cheese and tomato compote.
Bringing back to life old style recipes in a contemporary light, lively and colourful ingredients create dishes such as gernika beans with savoy cabbage and piparrak as well as a rich Basque take on black pudding made with leeks and onion and served with piquillo peppers and crispy corn talo. Not forgetting eggs – a brunch staple, one of the more popular dishes is scrambled eggs served with sauteed potatoes or a the rustic fried eggs with wild asparagus, peppers, onion, flour crisp and mashed potato.
For those who prefer more lunch in their brunch, grilled dishes include the beautifully tender and rosy blushing strips of duck breast served with salty green padron peppers or yellow fin tuna with garden leaf salad – both served with a pile of tasty ‘haystack’ fries. For a sweet finish, the menu offers a dessert list which includes amongst others torrija (a vanilla sponge), a salted caramel mousse with cookie crumble or a cheese board for a savoury ending.
Aside from the menu, many of the materials found throughout the restaurant have been sourced from the Basque region including wood, steel and stone materials. Combined with the menu, Eneko is far from gaudy – designed with vibrant reds against natural colours with smooth chestnut tables and textured stone touches.
Brunch, lunch or dinner – if you don’t know much about Basque cuisine then Eneko is the place to start. Steps from Covent Garden, with an original cast iron and glass Edwardian doorway and gleaming copper staircase; Eneko is ideal for those looking to suss out what the Basque talk is all about.
Brunch at Eneko is available on Saturday 11.30am – 2.30pm and Sunday from 11.30am – 3.30pm and can be booked in advance online eneko@onealdwych.com or by calling 020 7300 0300. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Address: One Aldwych, 1 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BZ
Phone: 020 7300 0300
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