What relief when take a seat at a corner table tucked away on the terrace overlooking the bustling street, which drowns out the infantile wittering. In any case, the eldest was soon too immersed in her meal to make a scene. All kids’ food at Verden is under £4.50, with a choice of ham, egg and potatoes; pasta with tomato sauce; and chicken sandwich.
While she devours her lunch I attempt to savour mine – the Verden club, £9, which involves a massive slab of tender chicken breast, lardo fat, and a very special coleslaw – all weighted down and then clamped between two slices of bread. My husband went for the pork schnitzel, £12, which I never got to taste so assume it was too good to share. Through it all the baby happily lobbed crusts of bread at passersby from his high-chair, but no-one apart from me seemed too alarmed by it.
If you’re looking for a place where you feel free enough to kick off your shoes and change your baby’s nappy at the table while older children scale the furniture, this is not it. But if you’re looking for a seriously civilised brunch spot for relatively well-behaved families to consume properly delicious fare in a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere, it most certainly is.
181 Clarence Road, London E5 8EE; 0208 986 4723; verdene5.com
Food 4
Service 4
Value 5
Kid rating 3
Adult rating 4