Metolino

andybrown

Breakfast for gluttons 8th December 2007

5 found this helpful

Living near Stoke Newington High Street, where cafes and Turkish restaurants are legion and being spoiled for choice seems more of a right than a privilege, it is all too easy to develop a precise, not to say fussy idea of what constitutes good breakfast. Metolino is the only place I have found that meets the most exacting requirements, and sets a standard few can dare to emulate. And there are only two things it needs in order to achieve this.

Coffee. Really really really really good coffee. And as it's for breakfast, this coffee must be an ejector seat for the soul, an explosive rocket-fuel grade stimulant, yet rich, smooth and able to cope with about 4 sugars.

Food. Metolino have the usual options of course, and they are well made, cheap and quick. But where they exceed is in preparing the epicurean delights of the Med Breakfast. In essence, this is a simple dish.

Take one huge plate, pile high with eggs (scrambled, fried or boiled), halloumi, grilled garlic sausage, olives, salad, toast, butter, jam, honey and marmalade, price it at a fiver including the afore-mentioned vein-busting coffee, and dare anyone to finish it.

The sandwiches are excellent, the mains aren't bad, the staff are friendly, the service is quick, the decor is warm, bla bla bla it's generally a nice place. And the bus stop is right outside, which is very convenient because after a breakfast that size you won't be walking anywhere for at least an hour.