OXBO Bankside

Unmatched Brunch Bliss: Bottomless and Bountiful

Ah, Oxbo Bankside. An establishment that gallantly rides the wave of the bottomless brunch trend with such fervor that even your Prosecco glass might wish for a bit of solitude. Nestled not too far from Southwark’s energy, it presents itself as a courtyard of culinary delight and indulgent drink—a fact that does not go unexploited by those darlings of hospitality, Sam Singh and Althaf, who may have arms akin to hydraulic levers given how swiftly they replenish glasses. There’s a cohesive charisma in the air, courtesy of a live musician whose serenade syncs beautifully with the clink of glasses, creating an ambiance that's less “hurried London” and more “your friend’s sophisticated garden party”.

Indeed, while the menu does seem to mimic Noah’s arc in its array—count them, four courses from salad bar origins to dessert destinies—there's a hint of irony in the vegan offering, or should I say, lack thereof. Still, on three sips of wine and half a forkful of medium-rare beef in, such concerns might fade to irrelevance. After gut-busting roasts and seven types of gin—one for each day of guilty indulgence—the joyful din leaves everlasting memories. Caveats do lurk: if truth be told, service decisions regarding gratuities lead one to grumble into their glass of quite warm Prosecco. Yet overall, OXBO is a feast more bountiful than many others, dictated largely by the infectious energy of a team committed to making London's dining highs celebra-tions of friendly excess. — Penelope Savory