Jackson + Rye

Brunch.

It’s the new equivalent to ‘Let’s meet for drinks.’

Essentially, now we’re living in a ‘Let’s meet for pancakes’ society.

I don’t hate it.

Bring in Jackson + Rye. Located in the heart of Soho, this newish restaurant has some serious New York City feels and eats.

J and I met up at J+R with two of our friends for morning treats while they were in London.

A great thing about Jackson + Rye is that they take reservations. You don’t want to always have to queue up for your Sunday morning brunch.

However, I was kind of disappointed when they seated us. J and I got there first, and within about a minute of being seated the hostess came over to inform us that we only had two hours for the table.

Our friends arrived shortly after we did, and honestly, you don’t wait too long for your food at J+R. Pointing out the fact that we could only have the table for two hours was slightly unnecessary. Most Londoners are well aware of table turnover rates. It didn’t start me off in a great mood with the establishment.

But doom and gloom out of the way, the rest of brunch was good.

As it was 11am, I’d obviously already had three coffees that morning.  So I ordered the J+R mixed juice: Pomegranate, orange, pink grapefruit.

I had really wanted to order the J+R Mixed with Carrot, Apple and Ginger. But they were out of the ingredients. Something like that. This was still good though, I’m always an advocate for grapefruit. It has such a kick to it.

And whenever there’s a potential for a cappuccino, J orders up.

What can I say… I may have stolen a few sips of this frothy deliciousness.

When it came to our orders, I decided to go for a boring brekkie option: the yogurt with berries. Of course, with a truly healthy side of sugary pecan granola. I would have loved this more if the granola had veered more towards health and less towards sugary breakfast cereals.

The other three couldn’t resist the allure of the buttermilk pancakes, complete with crushed banana and maple syrup cream.

Okay, okay, I’m a food and drink thief! I nibbled on some of the pancakes.

If you head to Jackson + Rye for brunch, you must order these. They are dreamworthy melt in your mouth goodness.

My friends also ordered milk and cookies, because, well, we were all dying to see what it looked like.

I think we all agreed that the milk should have come with a proper giant glass for cookie dunking. And maybe more than two cookies, don’t you think?

But hey, peanut cookies with a grape jelly filling and a big ole glass of milk. Why not?

Overall, Jackson + Rye is a decent brunch option.

I’d be inclined to say there are better spots out there, but this is one that takes reservations. Such a must for mornings when you know you’re having a late night and desperately need a lie in/don’t want to wait to be seated.

Has anyone else been to Jackson + Rye?

PS. Now that I’m living in London…if you have any breakfast/brunch recommendations, send them my way!

Kelly xox