Tart: My New Brunch Treat!

When I finally ventured out of my bed in the late hours of Tuesday morning after a 9 hour audition and a 3 hour rehearsal on Monday; my stomach rumbling and my brain knowing that all I had in the fridge was half a tuna pasta bake (apparently performing 8 shows a week is not condusive to regualar food shopping!) I decided to venture out for something brunch-y.

On my way to the theatre is a new independent cafe called “Tart” – I have walked past it several times over the past few weeks and I keep meaning to go in – this was my opportunity!

Everything about this cafe is charming. The way they serve their tea in a proper loose leaf tea pot and the milk in a tiny milk bottle, through to the food which is original and incredibly varied, not to mention very very tasty. They even have branded brown paper bags – cute or what?!? The staff are incredibly friendly and are happy to help with the tiniest detail.

I ordered their “Tart Benedict”, logged into their free wifi and settled down with my loose leaf tea and the lovely view over Clapham Common. Bliss.

It seems to me they have a stroke of genius on their hands – gorgeous concept, and the reality completely lives up to it – bravo! They’ve only been open a couple of months and already it seems they have it all worked out!

The menu has a huge variety, with an all day brunch as well as daytime food – which is priced in a very clever and simple way where you can pick a tart or a salad, or both, and it is priced in that manner.

They also seem to have a lot of options for people with specific dietary requirements, with lots of vegetarian and vegan options (not that these apply to me – I’m definitely a meat-eater – but for others!)

They also have a Bakery section of the menu with cake, pastries and sweet tarts (all of which appeal to me!)

My food was gorgeous – it arrived hot and my eggs were perfectly cooked.

The “Tart Benedict” is decribed as “soft poached eggs, Parma ham and hollandaise sauce” – what they fail to mention is the sheet of gorgeous freshly cooked puff pastry (instead of toast of a muffin – brilliant idea!), the gorgeous tomato salsa garnish and, in my eyes most importantly, the hollandaise is freshly home made – all in all, I was incredibly impressed.

The portion sizes are great – which was almost frustrating as after trying their brunch I wanted to try everything else too – I guess I will just have to come back very soon!

Anyone who read my blog post about feeling festive will know I am a huge advocate of independant stores and cafes – and this is just one of those hidden gems. Completely independent, friendly, incredibly high quality and really reasonably priced – I know where my brunch spot is going to be for the foreseeable future!

Tart can be found online at – IG: Tart.London Twitter: @tartclapham   Facebook: www.facebook.com/tart

Address: 25 The Pavement, Clapham Common.  Website: www.tartlondon.com