Barboun, Shoreditch’s new Mediterranean locale, is anything but traditional. Sure, there are of course all the Levantine-inspired dishes that will certainly impress even the most discerning foodie, but what truly impresses, is how Barboun takes all the flavour and charm of a traditional Levantine bistro and blends it with the modernity that would attract the Shoreditch crowd and then some.
Our girl Hannah Tan-Gillies, ventured out to sunny Shoreditch to sample Barboun’s brunch offer, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
First off, the restaurant itself, covered in pale wood, terracotta tiles, and stylish mid-century pendant lighting is the picture of Scandi coo. One look at the menu though, and you will see where the Mediterranean influences lie.
The cocktail list is impressive indeed and we recommend starting with the Elderflower Spritz, a refreshing concoction of Tanqueray, St. Germain Elderflower, and Franklin & Sons Mallorcan tonic – a delicious cocktail that will easily transport you to a beachside café along the coast.
The flatbreads, while a relatively unusual brunch choice, are a revelation and offer excellent value for money. The ‘Choke Hold’ named after the delicious artichokes that are the heart of the dish, come with spinach chermoula and creamy kefalatoryi cheese.
The Smokey offers delicious burnt aubergine with rose harissa, a delicious take on a traditional mezze classic, while the ‘Abrakebabra’ is of course, a tongue-in-cheek homage to everyone’s favourite late-night wrap. This flatbread blends pulled beef, spicy tomato and garlic yoghurt – proving you can’t go wrong with a classic.
The Turkish platter is an excellent sharing plate, perfect for a brunch date with your pals and comes with a delicious spread of feta, kasar cheese, olives, boiled eggs, pastirma, preserves and toast. It goes exceedingly well with the Elderflower Spritz too – as we quickly discovered.
Finally, don’t leave Barboun without sampling the sweets on offer. The banana pancakes are fluffy without being too doughy, while the Burma Baklava (a must-have in any Mediterranean joint) was unsurprisingly delicious. The piece de resistance of the dessert menu though, must be the Fried Simit, a hot and cold sensation of fried caramel ice cream with yellow peach and hazelnuts. A final flourish to a delicious brunch that has certainly added some Mediterranean sunshine into an otherwise dreary London afternoon. We shall soon be back to get our Barboun fix.
To book a table or for more information visit https://www.barboun.com/
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