Forum Topic

Finding the perfect eggs florentine in Acton

The perfect Eggs Florentine has (in my opinion) a muffin base NOT soggy, then fresh, just-cooked spinach, then a proper poached egg (not the poached egg tin sort which is essentially baked)and then ample, brilliant hollandaise sauce on top. I don't think I have found it yet.The Rocket has proper poached egg but the spinach is chopped not freshThe Mill has soggy base and the Hollandaise is ever so sweet (but it's a proper poached egg)Churchfields has a real, unsoggy muffin, ace spinach, ample Hollandaise but the NOT a proper poached egg. Where next?

Sara Nathan ● 3938d42 Comments

I love the Delaunay - but they have stopped serving borscht - which they did supremely well. Best mince pies in London (though Laveli's are pretty good too)But have never thought of the eggs there.Roll on the new year and will try next time I'm working in the Aldwych,

Sara Nathan ● 3914d

I know the Delaunay in covent garden won't qualify but best eggs I've every had.

James Feth ● 3914d

So IMHO the new winner in the all-comers eggs florentine stakes (Acton class) is the Rocket ta da.Today's were perfect: proper poached egg - check fresh spinach, lightly cooked and not damp - checktoasted muffin - not soggy - checkample, not sweet hollondaise - check.Patisseries Valerie's also good - though a LOT of spinach and muffin for the amount of egg. But that's at Marble Arch and thus disqualified.

Sara Nathan ● 3917d

There are a couple of chaps on this thread who would appear more suited to the Chiswick forum!

Georgiana Eliot ● 3926d

Actually Susan or was it Olga did...But isn't that essentially what the bourgeousie is? If not, how does it differ? (having difficulties with me dialectic nowadays...)By the way, a kind soul on ChiswickW4 has promoted this thread as an amusing diversion - which is how the chaps there see Acton (if the St Michael's Players panto is anything to go by)

Sara Nathan ● 3926d

No on e said anything about being middle class.

Keith Iddon ● 3926d

Plus it's impossible for me to claim to be anything else. And pretentious.  Can't see the downside myself. Or the need for angst. Sprung from generations of the middle classes too...

Sara Nathan ● 3926d

Better watch that someone doesn't run off with that case, Keith.Sara is right: there is nothing wrong with being middle class. The rise of the middle classes was a turning point in European history, leading to the spread of the franchise.

Susan Kelly ● 3926d

I rest my case.

Keith Iddon ● 3926d

What, of someone who wasn't ashamed to be bourgeois(e), whether haute or moyen? I've never seen it as such an insult myself. It can encompass quite a lot of good qualities. And what are the alternatives?

Sara Nathan ● 3926d

In the north we say ' All fur coat and no knickers' or 'She'd sell tickets on herself'

Keith Iddon ● 3927d

I feel that the haute bourgeoisie may be a bit posher (and richer) than professional middle classes.

Susan Kelly ● 3927d

Only someone who is truly bourgeois could possibly think it a compliment to be described as such. Congratulations..

Keith Iddon ● 3927d

Am quite happy to be considered the haute bourgeouisie...which is rather less of an insult surely (if there is such a thing)Am I correct in thinking that would be the professional middle-classes? Seems about right. And definitely the sort of people who would appreciate the perfect eggs florentine (or Arnold Bennett for that matter)

Sara Nathan ● 3927d

Just to distinguish us from the haute bourgeoisie.

Susan Kelly ● 3927d

I bet the new cafe in the park could turn itself to the perfect eggs florentine...must ask next time.Why does Bourgeois have to be Petit?

Sara Nathan ● 3928d

Phew

Gary Sinclair ● 3932d

Not in a million years.

Keith Iddon ● 3933d

Join us ?

Gary Sinclair ● 3933d

Get a room guys...

Keith Iddon ● 3933d

The middle classes are ruining Acton, Before you know where you are, there won't be anyone in the Red Lion & Pineapple knocking back pints at 10am.

Susan Kelly ● 3934d

oooohhh you are awful Brian but I like you! x

Gary Sinclair ● 3934d

Quite so, I once put an APB out on this forum for good local sources for Chelsea Buns, and got plenty of helpful, neighbourly suggestions and no snarkiness. Those were the days!

Olga Sidoryk ● 3934d

In the manner of Dick Emery of course......................!!

Brian May ● 3934d

Oh Gary, you are awful .........................!!!

Brian May ● 3934d

Why not open a cafe in Churchfield Road and name it Petit Bourgeois , it'll do a roaring trade ;))

Gary Sinclair ● 3934d

Google it woman................

Brian May ● 3935d

But is that the same thing as Eggs Arnold Bennett? I rather thought it might not be from what Anne said.

Sara Nathan ● 3935d

Here is a recipe for Omlette Arnold Bennetthttp://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/arnoldbennettishomel_93629and it has "undyed smoked haddock fillet, skin on, pin boned"

Paul Webster ● 3935d

What's that, Anne? Combined with flaked fish or kedgeree or somesuch?I've never heard of eggs Arnold Bennett but am strangely excited.

Sara Nathan ● 3936d

Sometimes debates about eggs Florentine can be the perfect antidote to all the doom and gloom, so keep it up.  It's a bit like the fact that Facebook should be for cat videos not political rants!  Can't get eggs Arnold Bennett anywhere though, apart from the Woleseley.

Anne Brown ● 3936d

I've just found a recipe for making it in a microwave in a mug.  This is an area of cooking-for-one that is growing...  Poached egg on top of spinach with cheese on top is one of my favourite home alone meals but I prefer fresh spinach and don't have a microwave at home. It takes a lot of fresh spinach and is quite hard work squeezing the liquid out of it - I steam it.  How is it cooked so that it can be put on a muffin - whatever that is?

Philippa Bond ● 3937d

C'mon now, bit of friendly ribbing never hurt anyone.........

Brian May ● 3937d

Not everything has to be earth-shatteringly important, boys.Sometimes it's surely acceptable to be different, interesting, quixotic, fun or indulgent (self or otherwise).Can't do the evils of the Labour party/Tory party (whichever you fancy) tragedy, refugees, corruption, town planning, licensing and lost cats ALL the time.

Sara Nathan ● 3937d

And now, back to the earth shattering importance of locating the Perfect Eggs Florentine.

Brian May ● 3937d

LOL..some are so easily pleased..keep trying Gawee..better luck next time.

Keith Iddon ● 3937d

I just struck lucky with the law of averages....

Gary Sinclair ● 3937d

Keith Idiot (not well liked by many people here in acton or chiswick)

Gary Sinclair ● 3937d

Keep it up Gawee..law of averages says you might post something intelligent one day.

Keith Iddon ● 3937d

I would like to confirm that Sara is real. In fact, she achieves so much that I sometimes suspect that there are secretly two of her.

Susan Kelly ● 3937d

Sure - I like brunch. Don't have it very often. So it's great when it's really good.So far, Mezzorama in Willesden Green is tops...Other people compare and study beer, wine, chocolate, cheese, cake. Why not eggs?

Sara Nathan ● 3937d

Are you for real?

Gary Sinclair ● 3937d