Just a short walk from not-so-sophisticated Oxford Street there’s NAC, a beautiful bistro with all the French flair and fancy features you could wish for. Breathing style and sophistication, the two-story space boasts brown leather sofas and blue velvet banquettes, sitting across marble tables with brunch dishes that are famous on social media. I’m talking about those dulce de leche pancakes and cookies covered in cornflakes, both drool inducing and begging to be ordered. But does brunch at NAC live up to the hype? Well, I finally secured a reservation to answer this – very important – research question.
The service was seamless from start to finish, from a friendly host greeting you at the door to coffee coming out in a timely manner, while still ensuring you don’t feel rushed. And that’s precisely what you need in a place like NAC, where everyone looks like a fashion blogger and (spoiler alert!) every bite needs to be savoured.
NAC’s pancakes might be drenched in dulce de leche, a sticky sweet spread similar to caramel, but the base is just as important. Not two, not three, but four fantastically fluffy pancakes form a towering stack, all sumptuously soft and doughy inside, dusted in powdered sugar and decked with thinly sliced bananas. I did not expect the pancakes to be just as good as the sauce, but they were just as more-ish and mouthwatering.
Just when you think your weekend brunch can’t get any better, a plate of milk chocolate cookies proves you wrong. Served warm with a generous handful of cornflakes, these cookies are baked until crisp and golden on the edges, contrasting their gooey, cookie-dough-like interior dotting with melted chocolate chips. Topped with an addictive swirl of Frosties-infused soft serve, this dessert feels like a children’s breakfast dream come true.
Address: 41 N Audley St, London W1K 6ZP
