The cycle of life has finally brought us the weekend again! As you all know Sundays are officially the brunch day (if not, I am delighted to break the news to you) and it would be an insult to Sunday mornings to pass it over lightly with a bowl of cereal and instant coffee.
So, where to head for this serious business of brunch? Confident that I would be spoilt with many options I headed to Shoreditch and had a stroll in Redchurch Street. It didn’t take me long to decide because when I was passing by the Italian café in the corner I couldn’t take my eyes off the salad plate that was one of the outside tables. It was a festival of colours, all shades of green, a splash of purple, orange, sprinkled with cous cous grains and decorated with pumpkin and pomegranate seeds!
I took a seat at the table right in front of the large window; it was a strategic location. I could get that al fresco feeling thanks to the large window but didn’t have to struggle to eat in my bulky winter coat cause I was inside! As soon I laid eyes on that salad my idea of brunch had taken a twist towards lunch but I could still accompany my salad with a “green omelette” ( homemade rocket pesto, prosciutto & sun blush tomato) and stick to my brunch plan. However, when I checked the menu the words “Bolognese Lasagna” immediately caught my attention. Now that would change everything. It was going to be a lunch. Sorry for breaking the rules on the official brunch day but I couldn’t have passed on the lasagna in an Italian deli. It was a massive block of lasagna sheets piled up on top of each other with abundant minced meat and béchamel sauce. I must say it was a bit heavy or maybe lasagna as the first meal of the day always feels that way! I think I managed to balance it with my super fresh salad, beetroot, fennel & goat cheese with balsamic and grain mustard. 
It started as an innocent brunch with some eggs and coffee but turned into an Italian lunch affair with a massive piece of lasagna washed down with a bottle of Birra Moretti (in my defense it was past noon so technically it was cocktail hour already.)
Franze and Evans is not only about Italian dishes and salads, there is a mouthwatering display of cakes and desserts by the cashier and you have to have given up on life to say no to these babies (or you might have just indigested a block of lasagna). Next time, it’s going to be a proper brunch with a dozen cup cakes and a gallon of proper Italian coffee, I can’t wait! Check out their ever changing menu. It is open 7 days a week and a short stroll from Shoreditch High Street Overground Station.
Address: 101 Redchurch Street, London, E2 7DL
T: +44 (0) 20 7033 1910
Email: info@franzeevans.com