St John Bread & Wine

I’ve wanted to visit for a long time, after hearing so many good things especially since this really is my “local”.

Food

The menu changes daily, but usually consists of one sarnie, one porridge and one brioche. We started with a cappuccino (£2.25) while we were waiting, and was not disappointed at all. They use Segafredo, so the taste is very strong, but the coffee was very smooth and creamy.

This visit, there were 5 things on the menu, all very appealing. In the end though, we settled on Pikelets & Plum Jam (£3.80), which were 3 cakes of pikelets so light and fluffy, with butter that just melts and a plum jam that is good enough to drink. The Rhubarb, Yoghurt & Brioche (£4.00) didn’t disappoint either. Excellent yoghurt, sweet rhubarb and very airy and not too sweet brioche. Slokky was greedy and ordered some toast with butter (£1.50) as well. The bread was so airy and so full of flavour, I could eat it with no topping at all.

We were very full, but the display of bread and pastries were so inviting, we got some for take-away. The Chocolate Brownie (£2.40) very gooey, with really good dark chocolate, the best brownie I’ve had. I’d always wanted to try an Eccles Cake (£2.40), and was surprised that it tasted like a “wife cake”. The pastry wrapping was excellent, so flaky and buttery, the filling was sweet but intense, nicely spiced.

The only disappointment I would say is that they don’t have very much choice in terms of drinks. It’s orange juice or water. I would’ve loved a fruit smoothie to go with my brekkie, but I guess their game is called “bread & wine”, not bread, wine & smoothies…so I will come back for dinner so I can have wine.

Rating - 8

Atmosphere

Very rustic and strip back. It’s a rectangular space which has been filled with timber tables. The walls are painted white. On one wall there is a row of hooks where you can hang up your coat. Blackboards hang with the daily menu written up. One wall is taken up by the open kitchen, and all their breads and cakes are on display. Homely and very chic.

Rating - 2.5

Service

Strange. The vibe of the place is very special, yet they have a guy in a suit in the kitchen (I presume he’s the head waiter or owner or something). The waiters are dressed in white chef’s gear, and while they were quite efficient for such a busy place, they weren’t really that friendly and didn’t suit the relaxed vibe.

Rating - 2.5

C-factor

For wonderful food it is not very expensive at all. Good, I am definitely going to come back to try lunch or dinner.

Rating - 2

Brownie Points - 15

Info

94-96 Commercial Street
London
E1 6LZ
Phone +44 (0) 20 7251 0848
Website