Fashion, trends and lifestyle in the City _ May 2007
Just launched, daily breakfast at The Butlers Wharf Chop House with a tribute to the best of British, from Gloucester Old Spot bacon and sausage, grilled kippers, Severn & Wye smoked salmon, smoked haddock, bubble & squeak, and boiled eggs with Marmite soldiers, alongside girly options like red berry fruit bowl and yoghurt. Fuel-up before work or enjoy leisurely river views at weekends. Breakfast 8am - 12noon every day. 36e Shad Thames, SE1 (020 7403 3403)
City slickers near the Bank of England head for Bonds where the former banking hall, a Grade-11 listed building, has morphed into chic 5-star Threadneedles hotel. Breakfast in the fine dining restaurant with a lavish buffet, the Full English or American favourites like waffles. Breakfast 6.30am - 10.30 weekdays, 7.30am - 11am weekends. 5 Threadneedle Street, EC2 (020 7657 8088)
With jaw-dropping views over financial London, Coq d'Argent is the smartest place to breakfast in the City. Huge menu of Continental favourites like Viennese pastries, rösti with bacon and eggs, croque monsieur, pain perdu with crème fraîche and maple syrup, eggs Florentine and of course a traditional English breakfast. Champagne and Bloody Marys to start the day with a bang or freshly-squeezed juices if you're with the boss. Breakfast 7.30am - 10am weekdays. No.1 Poultry, EC2 (020 7395 5000)
Try the Rivington Grill, where arty Shoreditch meets the City, for robust plates of the Full English, smoked salmon with scrambled ages, breakfast baps filled with egg and bacon or black pudding. There's also porridge, home-made baked beans and designer honey from Essex. The erstwhile deli at the Rivington closed to extend the kitchen so you now eat at proper tables in the restaurant. Breakfast 8am - noon weekdays. 28-30 Rivington Street, EC2 (020 7729 7053)
Slick American diner Automat serves New York style Eggs Benedict, Eggs Norwegian, steak & eggs and omelettes to the early-bird hedge fund crowd. Or you can order pancakes with maple syrup and berries, French toast with crispy bacon, waffles with strawberries and cream, or a super-size fry-up. Breakfast 7am - 11am weekdays, brunch 11am - 4pm weekends. 33 Dover Street, W1 (020 7499 3033)
Try home-made breads, muesli and fruit salads in the Parlour at Sketch, the quirky ground-floor café that's great for informal meetings. Fashion and media locals love the sexy low tables with mismatched furniture for smoked salmon with apple jelly or fried eggs with coconut and tomato marmalade. Breakfast 8am - 12noon weekdays, 10am - 12noon Saturday. 9 Conduit Street, W1 (0870 777 4488)
A brand-new place for breakfast is the Cookbook Café, part of a major refurb by the Inter-Continental hotel that dominates Hyde Park corner. The bright, airy ground-floor room has cheerful staff, a versatile layout for privacy and a stack of daily newspapers. Choose from the buffet or order French toast, waffles or pancakes with banana and maple syrup, the traditional Fry Up, smoked salmon and bagels, or grilled sausage sandwich. Breakfast 6.30am - 11am every day. One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, W1 (020 7318 8563)
Lunch is for wimps but a power breakfast, from the Square Mile to Mayfair, kick-starts your day.
For no-pressure weekend breakfasts
Tom's Kitchen, easy-going alternative to Tom Aiken's fine dining restaurant, with a glossy Chelsea crowd. 27 Cale Street, SW3 (020 7349 0202)
Village East, the hip restaurant and style bar, now has all-day Sunday brunch (11am - 8pm). 171 Bermondsey Street, SE1 (020 7357 6082)
Roast, the best way to start the day before stocking up with artisan foods from Borough Market. Floral Hall, Stoney Street,SE1 (020 7940 1300)
Inn The Park, brilliant eco-restaurant with the best sausages, bacon, black pudding and free range eggs. St James's Park, SW1 (020 7451 9999)
The Ritz a dazzling room and perfect service when Bond Street shopping and high-octane romance are on the agenda. 150 Piccadilly, W1 (020 7493 8181)