Eating Out: Flat White Kitchen

Flat White Kitchen - Soya Latte

Welcome back foodie!

Thank you so much for your patience whilst I go about my daily life, and for checking back so often for a new post. Believe me, there has been plenty delicious goings on in my kitchen over the last month but never enough time to write about them.

I hope you enjoy this special Eating Out edition as a welcome return after a break. Not that I've been breaking; I've been sensationally busy at work and making lots of wonderful and exciting life progress but that's for another day...

Today, I want to talk about Flat White Kitchen.

As some of you may know, my best friend got married last month and I had the pleasure of being her bridesmaid. As a super shiny bonus to that I was also introduced to her other best friend (who was also a bridesmaid), and lo and behold I've made a Friend for Life and found a truly wonderful, mutually weird human to add to my crew. Winning.

This is where our story begins. As is the norm with having a super awesome crew, you go on super awesome trips and outings together to super awesome places. So my new Friend for Life has a fella, and he runs this place in Durham called Flat White (Est. 2010). It started as a humble cafe serving coffee and scones, at which the multi-cultural student base in the city delight, and soon became a hit. Cafe became Kitchen; Flat White became local legend.

The three of us finally booked a brunch date and off we happily trotted to explore this magical little place we'd heard so much about. I couldn't wait!

Some important facts for you to consider - Firstly, Flat White Kitchen is not little at all. It's housed in the most beautiful of old listed buildings in the city centre, covering several floors. Secondly, Flat White is about coffee and real, homemade food. (Already almost my entire list of Important Life Criteria). Thirdly, the chef that helped develop the kitchen and menu is MICHELIN STARRED. Truth.

Even just a trip to a nearby city that I've rarely explored would have been adventure enough for me, but base the trip around food and friends and I was onto a seriously perfect Sunday. We arrived in Durham in the easy morning sunshine, and the first excitement of the day came in L's spectacular reverse parallel park ...

Off we then went in search of our destination, as I was completely blown away by how beautiful the city was. Living so close and not ever really appreciating it made me a feel a little bad, so I made the most of exploring the little streets and taking in the gorgeous river views. I was like a tourist at large!

When we ascended a quaint little flight of steps, and turned the corner into yet another cobbled street of dreams, my eyes were finally greeted with the most adorable little white-washed cafe a cafe goer could wish for.

I was immediately in love with this quaint, artistic place and got a little snap happy trying to capture the atmosphere. This place is an Instagrammer's dream.

Proper retro drinks on offer, as well as the classics.

After a reasonable wait (you will wait for a table here if you arrive after opening) we were shown to a delightful school-bench style table set for three, with the sun streaming through the plant-laden window and a big metal bucket full of sunflowers to greet us. 

I think it's now important that we move onto the food. As a foodie and blogger, I'm of the very largely accepted opinion that if you don't order avocado toast then you're not serious about what you do. There's also the astoundingly honest truth that I actually adore avocados, and toast is a widely appreciated breakfast/brunch food and perfect to fill my hungry belly. So order the avocado toast I did, and in the interest of brunching I decided to adorn it with appropriate sides of smoked salmon and poached eggs. A soya latte to sip (and photograph...) while I wait and I certainly was not disappointed!

This is a Flat White speciality breakfast of avocado on sourdough toast, with crumbled feta cheese, sliced chilli and fresh coriander. Perfectly balanced, and perfectly complimented by rich smoked salmon and velvety as you like poached eggs. Wherever possible, the ingredients are locally sourced and sustainable. The coffee is roasted locally, exquisitely brewed and only comes in one size. The home-spun charm just keeps on coming! Add to the mix delightful, award winning, homemade baked goods and the perfect experience is complete.

Famous Gluten-Free Brownie

My friends ordered equally well; baked eggs with rainbow chard and parmesan cheese and a Banoffee Pie inspired ginormous stack of the legendary Flat White buttermilk pancakes. If I hadn't been so set on my blogger-friendly avocado it would have been very hard to choose from the wonderful menu. It's extensive and exclusive, with something for absolutely everyone. There's plenty of more substantial lunch options for the hungry amount us. It's mature, and well thought out. It perfectly matches the relaxed yet polished atmosphere and ambience. This is the kind of place I would happily take my father.

The kitchen now has extended opening hours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and they serve selected alcoholic drinks *rejoice* so you can enjoy this homey hang-out and your favourite hipster tipple too. I couldn't have designed it better myself!

I happen to feel that the reputation of this marvellous eating and drinking spot, as well as the pictures, speak for themselves. However, I will say this; if you happen to find yourself wandering the cobbled streets of Durham city, do pop in for a brew. You won't regret it.

What do you think then? Fancy some brunch? As always, I'd love to hear from you, so please feel free to leave your comments below.

~ Til next time, may your bread dough be sour and toasted and adorned with breakfast goods. Col ~