We head to Leigh-on-Sea in Essex for brunch at Alchemy, which has a menu teeming with fermented ingredients, nutritious dishes, great coffee and healthy juices
If you’re after a relaxing weekend brunch, it would be hard to top Leigh-on-Sea. Having called this place home for five years now, I am happy to say that brunch is a regular activity for us. What can be better than slowing the weekend down by catching up with friends over a mid-morning meal?
We were heading to Alchemy, which is located on the Broadway alongside many other independent cafés, restaurants, galleries and shops. It's a great spot! We were lucky to find a seat as Alchemy is a popular hangout for locals, as well as visitors to the area, and it doesn’t take bookings in the daytime.
The interior stands in contrast to the often glitzy and opulent decor in these parts of Essex. With simple wooden furniture and cork flooring, Alchemy’s earthy and natural vibe feels bang on trend. We ordered coffee. Delicious, aromatic brews promptly arrived in beautiful stoneware mugs; I started to unwind.
Whilst reading the seemingly normal-sounding brunch dishes of Toast, Brekkie Sarnie and Brekkie Bowl, you notice the more unusual ingredients that come with them: golden sauerkraut, fermented chili, kimchi. I even spotted tempeh on the menu – an Indonesian ingredient made from fermented soya beans.
The cafe specialises in a number of fermentation techniques (fermentation is one of the seven stages of alchemy – hence the name). Fermented food has many health benefits as it boosts probiotics in your gut, which can lead to better digestion and increased immunity, so I was keen to get stuck in.
I ordered the Pastrami Trout. When it arrived, the incredible sourdough toast was heavily spread with a decadent cream cheese. Then there was the trout, which was soft, sweet, salty and cured to perfection. This was topped with courgette pickles, pink sauerkraut, dill and capers, all finished off with a perfectly poached egg. The balance of the dish was outstanding.
I washed it all down with the Restore cold-pressed juice, which is made in-house with cucumber, apple, celery, spinach and kale. My guest had a fantastic Kombucha, which is a slightly sparkling fruity drink, made from – you've guessed it – fermented black tea.
I had a big bite of the Kimchi Scramble from my dining partner’s plate. The eggs were beautifully whipped, creamy and soft, and so wonderful alongside the salty anchovy butter and bonito flakes (dried, flaked fish). There was even a sticky chocolate brownie on the table to round off the brunch – not quite so healthy but delicious!
If you fancy some seriously tasty, indulgent yet nutritious food, Alchemy is a fantastic little find that I would urge you to visit. Keep an eye out for its small plates and natural wine evenings, held on the first Friday and Saturday of each month.
The bill came to £52 for two people. The restaurant was not told it was being reviewed.
@alchemy.leighonsea / 01702 476 574
