A stunningly sunny autumn morning deserves equally stunning surroundings when you’re after a spot of breakfast. And the Wolseley is just such a place. Enter through the heavy, imposing door and you’re transported into a bustling, baroque interior that instantly takes you back to an earlier era of grandeur. The only incongruous note is the clientele, who are mostly tourists or well-heeled Londoners in a variety of lazy leisure wear. Top hats, frock coats and fancy dresses would have suited the place better.

The website recommends you book, especially during weekdays, when the Wolseley is home to a host of ravenous businessmen fuelling themselves for a day of deal-making. At the weekend there’s more of a ‘turn up and take your luck’ attitude – and we got the impression that the earlier you got there, the better your chance of being seated without a wait.

Once we were ensconced in a booth in the bar – perfect for us but, some might prefer being in the larger main room – service was attentive and immediate. There’s an ample selection of just about everything from a full English breakfasts to a selection of croissants and pastries. We settled for bacon rolls, fried eggs and pain au chocolate, washed down with spicy Virgin Mary’s, hot chocolate and black coffee.

The bill was more expensive than your local greasy spoon, but the surroundings were spectacular and somehow hangovers seemed to take heed and leave themselves at those ever-so elegant doors.

The Wolseley
160 Piccadilly
London W1J 9EB

http://www.thewolseley.com

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