Breakfast and brunch venues bring international flavours

Neil Littman enjoys tasty dishes at three popular local cafes in Winchmore Hill and Southgate

This month I’ve visited three places that serve breakfast and brunch – including one that also opens in the evenings with a different menu.

Their cuisines are Middle Eastern, Italian and Mediterranean (with other influences). One has been open just over a year, another for over ten years, while the third somewhere between. But what I think they represent is the intention to offer good value and consistent quality at a time when 60% of restaurants in the UK fail in their first year.

The state of the economy is still affecting prices and the survival of the hospitality sector. In the past few months, I have seen several well-established places close, and others reopen with different menus (and names). However, there are other exciting new openings on the horizon which I hope to cover in the autumn.

The first of my breakfast/brunch stops was Hopper & Bean, one of the longest-established cafes in Winchmore Hill. An independent family-run café (led by Chet) for over ten years, they are located on The Green and have a very welcoming outdoor space, seating up to 30 diners. Over time they have become a community hub.

The interior has had a couple of makeovers but still retains the same vibe, and their coffee originates from the Allpress roastery in Shoreditch. They serve an eclectic menu ranging from Mediterranean breakfasts to Mexican dishes including huevos rancheros, courgette corn fritters (my favourite) plus American pancakes and waffles.

Brunch dishes cost between £10.50 and £14.50, and there’s a good children’s menu available. Hopper & Bean is also licensed and serve cocktails from 11am (if that’s not too early!) which are well-priced at £8.50 or two for £14.

My second visit was to Wanasa Middle Eastern restaurant, down the road in Green Lanes. Their name is Arabic for ‘connecting with people in humble settings’ and is run by Hiyam, originally from Jordan.

They have an airy interior with wood floors and white walls, while they have a garden area at the back of the café. The food reflects influences from the Levant region, comprising Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. The specials also showcase favourite childhood dishes from other Arabic countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Algeria.

I ordered the vegetarian breakfast with fried eggs, haloumi, hash browns with grilled tomatoes and rocket leaves, plus a chilli dip, which arrived dusted with Manchego cheese with sourdough toast on the side. Including a vanilla milkshake, this came to £21.

My final visit was to Amici Bistro and Restaurant, located in Southgate Green, which had been enthusiastically recommended to me by a couple of readers.

Open for just over a year, the breakfast menu includes standard brunch items mostly based around eggs, but a more adventurous Italian/Mediterranean menu at lunchtime, including pizzas, calzone, pasta and risotto dishes with some meat and fish mains.

I ate there with my regular dining companion, and it reminded us of places where we had eaten on holiday abroad. We had a tricolore salad and prawns, cooked in a spicy sauce, followed by a great sea bass dish and ‘tagliatelle alle Norma’ (with aubergine, ricotta and tomato) which, incidentally, was one of the dishes served at Dua Lipa’s wedding lunch in Palermo recently.

With two glasses of wine our bill (for two) came to £57, including service.

For more information, including opening times:
Visit hopperandbean.com
Visit wanasacafe.co.uk
Visit amicisouthgate.co.uk

Do you have any suggestions for restaurants in Enfield to review or feedback on the places Neil has already reviewed?
He would love to hear from Dispatch readers:
Email [email protected]

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