Banoffee bonanza at The Book Club Shoreditch. Pic: The Book Club
Pancake day is just around the corner so its time to dust off your frying pan, brush up your flipping skills and batter up. Cheerio to the January diet and New Year resolutions.
Falling annually every February, Shrove Tuesday is the day before the beginning of Lent – Ash Wednesday. This year Tuesday February 9 is the day to indulge. Historically a day of feasting, Pancake Day was an opportunity to use up rich ingredients such as eggs and fats before fasting during Lent. Nowadays, Pancake Day has become a national celebration of the breakfast treat that can be acceptably eaten at any time of the day.
Lucy Sambrook from The Book Club and Stories on Broadway Market said ‘Pancake Day is always a great excuse to get together with friends for an evening of indulgent eating and drinking. At The Book Club in Shoreditch and Stories on Broadway Market we will be hosting an all-day pancake party like no other.
Mexican Sweetcorn Pancakes with chilli sauce, bacon & avocado. Pic: The Book Club
Below are some of the best East End haunts that cater to all palettes and preferences.
Shutterbug – 1 Rivington Place, Shoreditch
Catering for savoury and sweet teeth and serving both French and American-style pancakes, Shutterbug will operate a first come, first seated policy this Pancake Day. DJs from local record store LoveVinyl will be spinning the tunes but if you’d rather not hang about – you can get your pancakes to go.
The Breakfast Club Café – 2-4 Rufus Street, Hoxton
The annual pancake challenge is back at The Breakfast Club Cafe to raise money for London charities. If you can eat a 12 stack of pancakes in under 12 minutes then they are on the house. If you can’t stomach it, you pay the full price and all profits will be donated. No bookings, last orders 10.30pm and DJs playing until late.
The Book Club – 106 Leonard Street, Shoreditch & Stories on Broadway Market – 30-32 Broadway Market
Join the pancake party in ‘The Great British Flip Off’ where punters can donate £1 to try and land as many flips as they can in one minute. From bacon and beer batter ‘Mancakes’ to deep-fried Banoffee, caramel and nutella flavours, The Book Club and Stories on Broadway Market even have a gluten-free health conscious option for those still on a diet.
The Diner – 600 Kingsland Road, Dalston
For authentic, decadent and delicious American style pancakes look no further than The Good Life Diner. From traditional tastes like buttermilk and blueberry to the more outlandish options of sweet potato or red velvet, you will not leave disappointed (or hungry).
The Pancake Day Tea Supper Club – Orchard Place, Tower Hamlets
For something a little more alternative, head to the Tea Studio’s four-course tea and pancake menu. Diners can expect a variety of flavours from Caribbean polenta, chicken-filled rice pancake rolls and to finish – pancakes with baked oolong custard and oolong syrup.
If you’d rather whip up your own batch click here for a flippin’ tasty recipe.
