DINING REVIEW: THOMAS'S CAFE AT BURBERRY ON VIGO STREET, MAYFAIR
On a spring afternoon in April, Mr and Mrs Musings ventured down to Thomas's Café at Burberry on Vigo Street, just moments from the office and London's bustling Regent Street. With it's British fashion heritage and town house vibe, Thomas's has a real 'member's club' feel to it, attracting locals from Savile Row and beyond, alongside luxury fashion shoppers and passers-by.
Thomas's offers diners an all-day British menu, which includes colourful, seasonal mains and show-stopping desserts. If you're in the area looking for brunch, expect to be tempted by Scotch buttermilk pancakes with honeycomb, Brown cow yoghurt and seasonal fruits. Sweet enough already? Go for the Eastleach bacon, sausage, fried egg, tomato, mushroom and Tawmoth black pudding. Fear not if you are a member of the avocado and poached eggs on sourdough club, Burberry has utterly perfected this.
True to form, Burberry have nailed 'rustic British minimalist design'. Think deep green velvet, contemporary wicker chairs, marble tabletops, wild flowers, crisp white table cloths and majestic street-facing windows that allow in beautiful natural light. The space is grand and contemporary, bright and relaxed. Intricate illustrations of farm animals appear on each dining menu, adding to the 'town and country' charm.
Arriving at 13:30pm, we were in lunch territory and ready for action after a long morning of meetings and running errands. Quite exasperated from the sun, we sunk down into deep arm chairs on the second floor, with a delightfully dressed table between us. Feeling guilty after two nights of indulgence at Chewton Glen, we agreed that salads were the best form of culinary penance. Mr Musings opted for the Sutton Hoo Chicken Salad and I (obviously) went for the Cock Crab, Avocado and Land Cress. We ordered two glasses of pink Champagne to accompany this, given that every day is worthy of celebration.
Both salads were impeccably flavoured, wholesome and well presented, made with fresh produce from small farmers and artisan suppliers across Britain. Mr Musings usually goes for Fred Flinstone approved options (burgers, steaks, wings), yet he was very satisfied with the chicken salad. If, like me, seafood is one of your hedonistic passions, you'll adore the crab. It is light, suitably cold for a summer's day and drizzled with fresh lime. Delicious.
My dessert was the divine Flourless Chocolate Cake with Caramel Crémeux and Almond Brittle: endorphin rich and gasp-inducing. Mr Musings chose a beautiful carrot cake topped with soft, sculpted buttercream and candied pecans. Perfectly textured and sweet. Both cakes, topped with edible gold flakes, dazzled opulently in the sun.
'This place has a really good atmosphere', said Mr Musings. 'I'm really feeling the salad, it's fulfilling. Ultimately, combined with the Champagne, i'm extremely happy.' As diners on the surrounding tables clinked glasses and shared life stories in lunchtime cheer, we concluded that Thomas's was one of the most charming places we had found in Mayfair.
If you're on the Champs, be careful when exiting Thomas's. You might find yourself emerging onto the streets of Mayfair sporting a new trench coat, some men's Soho Fit Linen Trousers in Violet Blue or perhaps a vintage check swim suit. Whether you're taking a break from the office or dining mid shopping spree, Burberry is the one shop stop for quintessentially British indulgence, seven days a week, come rain or shine.
Thomas's Café | +44 (0) 20 3159 1410 | 5 Vigo Street, London, W1S 3HA
