A Love Letter To 26 Grains

The brunch gem I needed to share

Dear 26 Grains,

This is an insert dedicated just to you. I hope this note finds you well, surrounded by the comforting aromas of your open kitchen and the cheerful buzz of satisfied guests. I wanted to express my deepest gratitude and admiration for all that you do.

Your restaurant feeds my soul. I am in love with your concept and the fact that you only seat twelve people. The restrictive premise allowing solely walk-ins makes eating here a forcibly spontaneous and romantic occasion. Under the same breath, I'd need to make the time to eat here. Being sat wherever is available lends an element of surprise and ignorance of time keeping. Going here is an act of self-love. 

Sitting under your burnt orange canopy in sunshine or rain is pacifying. I become wrapped around your hospitality like I'm receiving a warm hug from a loved one. I help myself to tap water and cutlery like I'm sitting at my own dining table. 

Your tahini banana porridge is a menu item I dream about most days. The sweet-bitter sesame cacao nibs, creamy stirred oats, crunchy seeds, and slickly sliced banana neatly frame the bowl to make a perfect crevasse for sauce. Tahini gets ladled to the brim without worry of mess, covering cracks made from the other elements. Cinnamon dusts the top like frost on a damp lawn, giving the tahini a sheen that catches the light. I am eating an embodiment of sitting beside a wood-burning stove—earthy, warming, nourishing goodness. The first bite always happens in slow motion, cherishing every morsel so it isn't wasted. The following bites are savoured to last as long as I can resist licking the bowl completely clean. 

If someone asked me what my perfect day would look like in London, it always starts by going for brunch here. Something about taking yourself out for your first meal of the day feels intimate, unordinary, and indulgent. If it's midweek, during a time when most people are trapped in offices, you symbolise the meaning to have a guilty pleasure. I properly switch off and watch the world go by here, immersing myself in a book whilst wiping away frothed milk from the tip of my nose as I manoeuvre the last sips of coffee. I am entranced by the calm of it all. Unphased by my suspiciously clean crockery sat in front of me.

It's how you make me feel at home, welcome me with open arms like I’m part of the furniture. It’s where I want to spend my Birthday, and every day in between. It's the laughter shared with friends over your closely kept tables, the earwigging of conversation as I look agape at what other’s have ordered. It's the ability to solo dine without overthinking the act of enjoying food alone. It is the ultimate place to people-watch. I was immediately hooked, and each visit I hold dear.

So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being more than just a place to quietly eat. Thank you for being a sanctuary, a haven of good food and company in a world that can sometimes feel chaotic and overwhelming. This is my space in London to disconnect, breathe and feel creative amongst the hustle and bustle.  

Until next time, know that you hold a special place in my heart, and I'll be counting down the days until our next rendezvous.

To find more about 26 Grains, you can click to their website here, and Instagram here.