Mayfairs Bocconcino’s Il Grande Brunch
Restaurants, like people, are capable of different moods. They give off different types of energy depending on the time of day or evening. This is something that I love about restaurants. One of my favourite times to eat is Sunday afternoon. It’s when a restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, with families and friends gathering for a leisurely afternoon without the time constraints that the rest of the week brings. So it’s especially nice to have the opportunity to enjoy a Sunday brunch menu at the Italian restaurant Bocconcino’s in the heart of Mayfair.
Bocconcino’s Sunday Grande brunch features a delightful luxury buffet filled with various delicious Italian food, including a fantastic selection of seafood! Additionally, they serve a range of hot dishes at your table, all while live music creates a relaxed atmosphere. With so many happy diners enjoying their experience, it’s clear that their Sunday brunch is a huge success. I really wish more restaurants would consider offering something similar!
Before I go into the Sunday brunch, some background on Bocconcino’s. The restaurant celebrated its 10th anniversary last year. It is in a prime position on Berkeley Street on the edge of Berkeley Square. The upmarket contemporary Italian restaurant has a relaxed feel with an emphasis on good food and fun. In the evenings, the vibe changes with the addition of a DJ or live music. There is a sister Bocconcino’s restaurant located in Soho, and a recent addition to the group is Osteria Del Mare, an impressive fish restaurant on The Strand.
Back to the Sunday brunch: once we were seated, we received the brunch menu, and our lovely waitress provided an overview of how the brunch at Bocconcino’s works. The brunch features a buffet section that includes a variety of Italian salads, Italian salami, coppa, and hams. There is also a hotplate offering both vegetarian and meat lasagna, along with a prized quartet of fresh seafood, including oysters, smoked salmon, prawns, and beautiful lobsters. There is a dessert section, I will get to the sweet offerings later.
In addition to the buffet, you can indulge in pizza, a fresh pasta dish (as you would expect made on the premises), and even Bocconcino’s version of a roast dinner, offering slow-cooked beef or Porchetta pork. These have to be ordered and will be served to your table.
Let me say from the outset that there is no right way to navigate the buffet selection, and there is no limit to how many times you can visit the section. We decided to start with salads and cured meats, which I adore. Next up, bread arrived at our table along with a delightful small margarita pizza to share, which was a nice surprise and welcome addition.
At last, it was seafood time, and regular readers will know my passion for seafood and crustaceans. Soon, my plate was filled with all four offerings.
Okay, I admit I did go back a second time, and to make me feel better, I was not alone; neighbouring tables were creaking with plates of oyster, prawn, and lobster shells. Luckily, the team at Bocconcino’s was quick to clear the tables.
After a break, we decided on something hot from the menu, I ordered Porchetta (Italian pork) roast and my guest ordered pappardelle mushrooms. Other options included Pizza and lasagne (meat and vegetarian).
The pappardelle was so good served in a mushroom cream sauce. I love porchetta, and this was perfectly cooked, served with beautifully cooked vegetables, roasted new potatoes, and even a Yorkshire. Accepting that traditional roast is alien to the Italian kitchen, it was a good plate and enjoyable roast.
For all of you with a sweet tooth eagerly awaiting news of desserts, the time has finally come! The selection includes the classic Italian Tiramisu, bigne (éclairs) filled with Chantilly cream, a beautiful Sicilian pastiera, strawberry tart, and finally, rum baba. We shared a plate of one of each, and the strawberry tart came out on top for me; however, for those who love chocolate, the bigne is a must.
Sunday brunch costs £80.00pp, includes a glass of champagne; the unlimited champagne option costs £120pp. For the heart of Mayfair and the quality of the brunch, I think it represents good value, especially if you have a big appetite. The day I visited, there were plenty of family groups and many couples enjoying birthday celebrations.
Finally, I mentioned live music; it added to the relaxed Sunday afternoon atmosphere. Also, thank you to the front-of-house team; they seemed determined to ensure everybody had a good afternoon.
Bocconcino Mayfair, 19 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, London W1J 8ED
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