The Alchemist was literally at the bottom of our Airbnb, making it incredibly convenient--and I'm…read moreso glad we stopped in. The location is fantastic, the customer service was excellent, and the atmosphere made for a really enjoyable breakfast.
I started with a cappuccino and added salted caramel, but honestly, the cappuccino was so good it didn't even need it. It was smooth, rich, and perfectly made on its own.
For breakfast, I ordered the Eggs Benedict. They offer two versions: one with pulled beef and one Florentine. As someone from the US who's a bit of an Eggs Benedict snob, I've tried countless versions over the years, and pulled beef just wasn't something I could picture working with it. I went with the Florentine and customized it by adding bacon, avocado, and a side of sausage.
One thing I've learned while visiting the UK is that the sausages are much larger than what I'm used to back home! I honestly could have skipped it because it was so filling. The Benedict itself was unique--the base was almost like a buttery croissant instead of a traditional English muffin, and it came with pickled red onions, which was an interesting touch. The poached eggs were cooked perfectly, and I especially enjoyed it with the added bacon.
The food was fresh, high quality, and beautifully prepared. There was plenty of seating both inside and outside, but I chose to sit outside and enjoy some people watching, which made for a relaxing start to the day.
Overall, a great breakfast spot with delicious food, excellent service, and a wonderful atmosphere. I'd definitely come back.