Sunday is MY day.
A day to do whatever I choose.
You might find me lazing about in bed doing nothing (not literally find me, of course. I?d be a bit afraid if you suddenly appeared in my bedroom). Or perhaps lounging on the floor surrounded by papers and coffee, or cooking a Sunday Roast for friends. ?You might find me wandering around London in a Museum, or finding bargains at one of the many fabulous markets. You can find me in all sorts of places.
One place you?re very?unlikely?to find me though, is a Church. Or anywhere with Choirs singing hymns, praising the Lord.
Or so I thought.
That was until a few weeks ago, when we were invited to visit the Gospel Brunch at Altitude 360, on top of the Millbank Tower. Being totally non-religious, this would never have been the kind of thing I searched out?but couldn?t help but be intrigued by an event billed as an uplifting Sunday Afternoon treat, with Londons only Gospel Choir and a Soul Food Brunch. We had to give it a go. Rude not to.
My friend and I arrived at 2pm on the dot, and walked out of the elevators and into the restaurant in the middle of one of the rousing performances by the London Community Gospel Choir. You can?t help but smile as your eardrums re-adjust to the singers powerful voices ? its outrageously loud, but as cheerful, exhilerating and feel-good as any performance I?ve ever seen.
London Community Gospel Choir
We were seated near the ?stage? (no actual stage, just some keyboard and mikes at one end of the venue) ?and talked through the menu ? which was so full of delectable looking Southern treats that it was nigh-on impossible to choose, we wanted them all. Dishes on the day included Spinach, Feta and Caper Open Faced Omelette; Caramalised Banana French Toast; Barbeque Ribs, Layered Grilled Tuna and Avacado and Grilled Spatchcock Chicken with Cajan Wedges. The portions we saw coming out to the other tables were immense and looked mouth-wateringly good ? we were salivating as we placed our orders and waited.
The waiters brought over our cocktails without delay (cocktails, of course, we?re lushes) ? a Bloody Mary for me and a Bellini for my companion, along with a selection of breads which we tucked into with gusto. This isn?t a standard bread basket by any means. Offerings such as?brown sugar cornbread, pumpkin bread, sweet brioche, rosemary and raisin bread and Argentine cheese bread (Chipas) toyed with our tastebuds, and despite being incredibly rich and heavy, I swear I could have eaten that cornbread all day. Sweet, sticky and moreish, I want that recipe (and may sell my soul to get it?)
Bloody Mary and Bread Selection (photo via myhiddengems.co.uk)
My spatchcock chicken arrived at the table, along with a single bowl of spinach which was surprisingly placed in front of my friend. We were more than a tad baffled as the waiter then turned on his heels to leave, clearly with no intention of bringing anything else?not even the Spinach and Feta Omeletter my friend had clearly (and repeatedly) asked him for! We soon realised that he obviously hadn?t understood her order and asked the Management to rectify which they did, but not after a lenghty wait (20 minutes plus?) which left me eventually eating alone and my friend doing the same soon afterwards. The food was delicious, but this left us a little disappointed. It?s not a shared experience when you?re not eating at the same time.
Throwing our diets out of the window (all 360 degree view?) we both chose to go for pudding as well. They?re included, so seemed silly to miss out?(my excuse, and I?m sticking to it!). The New York cheesecake was rich and creamy (although there were nuts on top ? not mentioned on the menu, so something to be aware of), and the Mud Pie was equally divine.
The dessert guilt was worth it at least.
Mississippi Mud Pie (Photo via http://omnomlondon.com - I need a new camera!!)
Throughout our meal we chatted away as two old friends do, although talk was, as to be expected,?interspersed?with?the?Choirs incredible, booming vocals. Songs such as ?Praise Him? and ?Joyful Joyful? had the diners grinning from ear to ear, and on some occasions dancing and singing along (the Microphone gets taken around the audience and if you want to join in, you?re welcome. No pressure to though). The Choir really are magnificent ? however ? if you prefer to not be quite so close I would suggest you ask for a table at the rear ? they really are loud so if you?re with small kids or similar, this may be an option.
I genuinely LOVED?the?experience, despite the minor hiccup with the main-course, and came out feeling not only elated, but pretty stuffed too! It?s something completely different for a Sunday and the perfect afternoon for a group of friends or family outing?there were small children dancing ?in the aisles and the more elderly guests singing along, so there?s definitely no age barrier here.
The venue is gorgeous, the Choir?incomprehensibly?talented and friendly and the food plentiful and scrumptious. Perhaps some of the staff?could?do with a bit of additional training and the Bloody Mary a dash?more?Tabasco, but such minor points they can be ignored!
I?ll definitely head back again ? I expect with a larger group next time. At ?49 per head (which includes soft drinks, bread, main course, dessert and performances) it?s good value for the quantity and quality served/time there ? you can take your time and make a real afternoon of it ? we didn?t leave for ages!
A special treat unlike anything else I?ve done in London and something you should all most definitely try!
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