Restaurants: Out to brunch

Joe Allen

13 Exmouth St, London WC2 (0171-836 0651)

Brunch menu (Sat & Sun 11.30am-4pm; pounds 13.50 for two courses, pounds 15.50 for three) includes a bloody Mary, bucks fizz or glass of champagne. There are two types of customer, says the manager: perky folk who've been up for hours, and those who get up at 2pm and want breakfast.

Le Caprice

Arlington House, Arlington St, London SW1 (0171-629 2239)

Everything from char-grilled squid (pounds 12.50) to foie gras, double fried egg and girolles (pounds 12.75) is on their brunch menu (Sun 12noon-3.30pm). They also do bloody Marys and bucks fizz by the pitcher.

Riverstation

The Grove, Bristol (0117-914 4434)

Brunch in the deli down-stairs on Sat (9am-2.30pm) or upstairs on Sun (11am-2.30pm); available all week from Feb. No children's menu, but they'll rustle up something special if asked.

Chutney Mary

535 King's Rd, London SW10 (0171-351 3113)

Sun jazz brunch (three courses pounds 15, pounds 8.50 menu for under-12s). Tandoori trout and Madras fish curry, plus lighter dishes such as vegetable dosa.

The Collection

264 Brompton Rd, London SW3 (0171-225 1212)

Weekend brunch (11.30am-4pm), with nannies and entertainers on Sun (1pm- 3pm).

Le Meridien Waldorf

Aldwych, London WC2 (0171-836 2400)

Huge buffet (Sun 12noon-2.30pm; pounds 40 plus pounds 10 supplement for some music bands) includes oysters, lobster and desserts. Book ahead.

NS