Not known for being the most refined snack, pancakes are getting a dusting of sophistication this year in London. We’ve eaten our way through the capital’s cafés, bars and crêperies to bring you the best in high pancake design for Shrove Tuesday. (Someone had to do it).
Sosharu
Sosharu, 64 Turnmill St, London EC1M 5RR
Jason Atherton is a chef of many layers as his signature Matcha Mille Crepe attests. Made at his izakaya-style restaurant Sosharu (opens in new tab) in Clerkenwell, the sweet treat boasts layer upon layer of crêpes sandwiched together with a rich matcha cream to create a cake-like slice of pancakes. Served with a refreshing scoop of matcha sorbet and Chantilly cream on the side, the dessert is an invigorating take on a British tradition, the Japanese way.
Ask for Janice
Ask for Janice, 50-52 Long Ln, London EC1A 9EJ
Just down the road from Sosharu, the industrially-edged Ask For Janice (opens in new tab) cafe and bar is showing its softer side with its fluffy buttermilk batter. A clever menu of toppings include spiced cauliflower cheese, pork and parmesan, and Westcombe ricotta with berries and rapeseed honey. They’re best enjoyed watching the world go by in Smithfield Market, under a leafy canopy in the window seat.
Burburry at Thomas’s
Thomas’s Café
, 5 Vigo St, Mayfair, London W1S 3HA
Thomas’s Café, the British all-day dining experience located within Burberry’s flagship store on Vigo Street, is serving style this Shrove Tuesday. Elevating the simple batter to elegant new heights, this year’s pancake menu includes the classic sugar and lemon, to the modish Secret Smokehouse salmon, and the more avant-garde poached Yorkshire rhubarb, with hedgerow preserve (pictured).
Where The Pancakes Are
Where The Pancakes Are, Arch 35a, 85a Southwark Bridge Rd, London SE1 0NQ
It’s a big week for Where the Pancakes Are (opens in new tab) in Flat Iron Square, which is planning a host of activities to ring in its special day. A return entry in our annual Shrove shortlist, the pancake purist has created a pop-up in a cozy chalet (also in Flat Iron square), where it will serve ’cakes inspired by the condiments of collaborator Rubies in the Rubble, a sustainable preserve-maker. Crucial news: there will also be three-legged pancake races.
Essence Cuisine
Essence Cuisine, 94 Leonard St, London EC2A 4RH
Vegan restaurant Essence Cuisine has been making waves across London’s healthy-eating scene since it opened last October. As well as scooping a feature in our March issue, the Shoreditch newcomer has scooped a whole heap of candied walnuts onto its raw banana pancakes (pictured). Also served with mint, and berry salad, the desert is a not-quite-so calorific way to spend Pancake Day.
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