Restaurant Review: Brother Marcus, Balham

Calling all London foodies, I have a tasty place for you today and it is so close to where I live so it comes with an added bonus, for me anyway. Say HELLO to Brother Marcus the new brunch place to rival Milk in Balham. Milk has stolen my poached egg heart for the past 12 months BUT now Brother Marcus has landed I may not bother with the 20 minute queue. Although don’t be fooled Brother Marcus is just as popular with people streaming in and out the door all the time.

If we take it back a notch the story behind Brother Marcus is quite inspiring for a dreamer entrepreneur like me. The concept was born from three school friends: Alex Large, Arthur Campbell and Tasos Gaitanos looking to bring good quality ingredients and fabulous coffee to you lovely lot. From getting the keys to their new abode they opened three days later (not sure how this is possible). They were also on a limited budget to turn the venue around and actually made quite a lot of everything you see inside – it is my dream to build a successful business and it’s great to see you don’t need £13434534 and years to get it done right!

As you enter the space there is a relaxed atmosphere with a quirky school vibe with plants gracing every wall, along with the outside space this maybe why it is coined ‘Balham’s Garden Café’.

Coffee is truly King here at Brother Marcus with the funky logo in a coffee cup and the first things you get asked, which you can also get if you have to wait…I am pretty sure you can pop in for a takeaway one as well. As I am not so much of a coffee lover I took my friends words that is was a good cup of coffee and decided to be typically me and choose a drink with a kick of chili to it. I even think the food did but that may just be the drink lingering but it was bloody tasty. The portions were also huge which is great because some of these new hipster places try to be Michelin  star and no one wants a leaf and quails egg for brunch! I am usually a salmon kind of brunch gal but decided to venture to a fritter and my god I am glad I did, it was avo heaven and the poached egg was cooked to perfection, it will be hard for me to choose something new after this.

What I had…

To Drink: Mango, Cayenne Pepper, Apple & Ginger Smoothie

To Eat: The Step Sister: Courgette, Beets & Feta Fritter, Avocado, Spinach and a Poached Egg.

If you are an early riser or stayed out a little too late the night before, it’s okay because Brother Marcus is open from 8am-3pm to cater for all your brunchin’ needs.

You can also get Marcus’ take on a Full English and the Sister Special, avo on toast with spinach, bacon and poached eggs. I was really full but I also have heard great things about the Sugar Daddy, French toast covered in berries, maple syrup & mascarpone….ooo just writing this makes me regret not trying one!

There is also some salad options sounding ultra-healthy and sandwiches if brunch ain’t your thing. You can also pop down for dinner which has a fusion theme going on with Loaded Buns such as: ‘Shroom of Doom’ A garlic and thyme Portobello Mushroom with grilled goats cheese, rocket with a honey mustard dressing topped with parmesan crisps for £8. Oh and the cocktails sounds divine. You can have access to this deliciousness from 6pm – 11pm so I will be definitely be heading back if you are still not sold there is a little eye candy as well with the waiters, so you really don’t have any excuses not to go!

Cost: All in all my brunch cost £12.50 which is a bit of bargain.

Address: 9 Chestnut Grove, SW12 8JA

Nearest Train / Tube: Balham