Bottomless brunches have taken over the city, and it seems like you can find any cuisine you like with free-flowing drinks on the side. So when you find one that really stands out? It's worth shouting about.
You may not think of Victoria as an obvious party destination, but almost as soon as we stepped out of the station we were greeted by pounding music from The Palm House just across the road. Arriving at 2pm, it was clear the celebrations had been in full swing for hours, and they showed no signs of stopping either.
The pretty venue fronted sleek white interiors, with playful touches like mini disco balls hanging from the ceiling, as well as cute pink lampshades and lush green plants dotted around the room. We were given the option of a more relaxed table on the mezzanine, but we decided to stay where the party was at and sit downstairs. This definitely isn't the place for a quiet meal on a Saturday, as there was a live DJ spinning an eclectic mix of tunes from across the decades, effortlessly switching between chart-topping pop, groovy disco beats and old-school classics. He was accompanied by two talented live musicians on the saxophone and bongos, who were experts at getting people up and dancing - even leading a conga line at one point. With a vibrant atmosphere throughout, this really did feel more like a night out than a mid-afternoon meal.
But all the excitement didn't distract from the excellent service, as we were greeted right away by a friendly waitress offering us drinks. As part of The Palm House brunch (£55 per person), you receive 90 minutes of unlimited beer, prosecco and Absolut Wild Berri punch, and they presented us with a bottle of bubbles and a cocktail jug right away. The vodka-based punch had a sweet, fruity flavour with a little fizz to it from the soda water, and it was nice to be able to pour our own glasses throughout rather than waiting on someone to bring them over.
The food is also designed for sharing here, as their Latin American-inspired offering kicks off with a bowl of nachos to split between two. The crunchy corn tortilla chips were loaded with a vegan cheese sauce, fresh salsa, guacamole and sour cream, as well as pickled pink onions for a sour kick. This was a delicious start to the meal, and our only wish was that there was a little more of the dips on top.
There are a number of more breakfast-leaning dishes on The Palm House Victoria menu, but we both opted for their burgers, served on a brioche bun with crispy, skin-on fries. My choice was the plant burger, topped with crispy onions, vegan smoked cheese and garlic aioli. This was one of the most realistic meat substitutes I've tried, and the tangy garlic sauce added a welcome creamy texture. My brunch date went for the Palm House cheeseburger instead, made up of two smashed steak patties coated in cheese, burger sauce, fresh shredded lettuce and pickles.
This event is a three-course affair, and we continued the South American theme with their bottomless churros for dessert. These were squishy sticks that tasted similar to a doughnut, with a cinnamon sugar coating and drizzles of dulce de leche and chocolate sauce for dipping. They gave us a very generous portion of these to share, and though we were far too full to order anymore, you can indulge in as many of these sweet treats as you like to finish your meal.
The DesignMyNight Digest
For anyone that's bored of a standard bottomless brunch, the vibes at The Palm House come Saturday afternoons are sure to get you back on board. The live music and dancing created a buzzing atmosphere throughout our time there, and the staff deserve full credit for creating a party vibe for everyone. The three-course menu is just as generous as the constant stream of drinks, and with the added entertainment I'd say this experience is pretty good value too.
💰 The damage: £110 for two, including three courses and bottomless drinks. 📍 The location: 150 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5LB. 👌 Perfect for: Birthdays, hen parties or any other celebration. ⭐ Need to know: The dessert is bottomless too. |
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