It's less than a year since Jose and Pizarro opened but both are already stars of London's food scene and together with Zucca, these neighbourhood restaurants have made Bermondsey a food destination. If however you are lucky enough to live near by, each is a constant temptation, though in recent weeks, things have got even better. Jose is now open for breakfast on Saturday from 10am and Pizarro is open on a Sunday for brunch from 10am. We wandered down to Bermondsey Street last Sunday to check it out.
Pizarro as most will know is a larger restaurant than Jose, takes bookings (though not for brunch) and serves larger plates allowing for a three course format if desired. For brunch, there's a choice of 'brunch specials' from the board supplemented by a separate main menu that in total gives a wide choice of food. Some old favourites like croquetas are not available till the full main menu appears later in the day, but being only the third Sunday of brunch service, we wouldn't be surprised if things evolve over the coming weeks.
The main brunch items have a lovely Sunday brunch feel to them and include scrambled eggs which can be served with Morcilla (black pudding), Manchego (cheese), or Chorizo/Jamon, while fried egg, chips and chorizo is a great thing to wake up to and be excited about on any Sunday morning. The star of the brunch menu however was the Iberico burger served with cheese, dressed lettuce and caramelised onions, all in a super light bun also with patatas fritatas (chips) and makes the visit to Pizarro worth it for that alone.
With four around the table, we were also able to receive more dishes from the main menu. A plate of Iberico ham of course, prawns and some fish dishes (cod and hake), pigs cheeks, and desserts to finish.
Pizarro as most will know is a larger restaurant than Jose, takes bookings (though not for brunch) and serves larger plates allowing for a three course format if desired. For brunch, there's a choice of 'brunch specials' from the board supplemented by a separate main menu that in total gives a wide choice of food. Some old favourites like croquetas are not available till the full main menu appears later in the day, but being only the third Sunday of brunch service, we wouldn't be surprised if things evolve over the coming weeks.
The main brunch items have a lovely Sunday brunch feel to them and include scrambled eggs which can be served with Morcilla (black pudding), Manchego (cheese), or Chorizo/Jamon, while fried egg, chips and chorizo is a great thing to wake up to and be excited about on any Sunday morning. The star of the brunch menu however was the Iberico burger served with cheese, dressed lettuce and caramelised onions, all in a super light bun also with patatas fritatas (chips) and makes the visit to Pizarro worth it for that alone.
With four around the table, we were also able to receive more dishes from the main menu. A plate of Iberico ham of course, prawns and some fish dishes (cod and hake), pigs cheeks, and desserts to finish.
radish and cauliflower nibbles (on all tables)
fried eggs, chorizo and chips
Iberico burger
scrambled eggs and Manchego
scrambled eggs and jamon
Iberico ham
black rice, prawns, allioli
quail, escabeche, dry apricot
Pig's cheek, roasted sweet potato, almonds
Hake, purple sprouting broccoli, clams
Salt cod, white beans, chorizo
cheesecake
Torrijas
chocolate mousse, caramel ice cream
Jose and Pizarro were both welcome additions to the Bermondsey area and that Pizarro is now doing a Sunday brunch offering makes us only more excited about having this restaurant as a neighbour. There's a wide choice of great food available and even the Sunday papers are offered if you want to kick back and catch up with the world. We're guessing the Sunday brunch crowd is mostly locals and it certainly adds a new dimension to the food offerings available before midday in SE1. But if getting out of bed on a Sunday is a struggle, don't fret, Pazarro is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner so if you haven't made the visit yet to Bermondsey to try Jose Pizarro's food, there is no excuse, and you really should, for it's worth the journey, regardless of where in London you live.
Jose Pizarro is helping us support The Manna Society, a local Bermondsey charity.
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related links
Jose Pizarro website
CC post on Jose
Jose Pizarro is helping us support The Manna Society, a local Bermondsey charity.
Return to homepage
related links
Jose Pizarro website
CC post on Jose
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