Summer is coming. Despite grey days, cold winds and endless drizzles, there are pockets of hope that the end to this ceaseless winter is nigh.
Feels Like June – a Californian-style brunch and cocktail spot in the heart of Canary Wharf – is the little boost we all need when the Winter Blues feel just a little too real.
Located slap bang in Canary Wharf, Feels Like June is the ideal spot for ladies who lunch, clients who need some wining and dining, and shoppers who need a well-deserved rest bite.
On the menu there are, of course, the simple egg options. That’s not to say they’re boring: done right, simplicity can be the best option. I see a very good smoked salmon and scrambled eggs appear on the table next to me, eggs fluffy, salmon portions generous.
But,given food critics don’t often get the choice to order vegetables (or rather, decline to choose), the Green Goddess Salad and the Tribe Salads were ordered. Each came loaded with grains, veggies, and proteins. For those who want something a little more substantial, the Macadamia Nut Pancakes with vanilla cream cheese, maple syrup and banana is a solid option.
The Buttermilk Waffle Chicken, complete with sour cream, guacamole and jalapeño sweet chilli is also a strong contender.
Feels Like June is open until midnight, which means it’s not just about brunch. There are also some very good burgers on the menu – the ideal choice for soaking up their extensive cocktail list.
Although I opted for the juices and the green teas, my companion went full force on thecocktail list. She was a necessity to balance out the equilibrium. I can confirm from her that the Truffle Vodka Martini was just as indulgent as it sounds, sharp and heady, with a silky backdrop to wash down the blanket of truffle.
The 1967 – a twist on a cosmopolitan – arrived, complete with the a candy floss top hat. If you’re into cocktails with a bit of showbiz, then you’re in the right place.
The interior of Feels Like June is open plan, giving it a light, easy-breezy feel. Step inside,and you forget you’re in the pits of British weather. The restaurant is certainly spacious, and is more akin to an upmarket hotel breakfast room.
Luxury though it may feel, Feels Like June is incredibly affordable in price point. Typically, affordable drinking brunch spots are corners held by chain giants, with minuscule servings of food to offset the cost of the mildly reduced
prices of their watered down drinks.
Feels Like June is like a breath of fresh air. Quality cooking, alongside substantial portion sizes, implies Feels Like June isn’t trying to load me up with the cheap stuff. Its food compliments the cocktails. Rather than guzzling down the drinks with mere bites to soak up the sugar, I’m able to appreciate both liquid and solid, in its own right. A smart move, when it’s barely hit 2pm on a Friday.
There are ample brunch and cocktail spots in Canary Wharf, but Feels Like June is a bit of respite from the city’s concrete jungle. It might not feel quite like summer just yet, but you can at least get a taste of June in this glam spot.
Website
15 Water St
London E14 5GX