Excitement as new Benedict's Brunchbar all-day breakfast spot to open in Waterlooville
A new eatery is getting ready to open in Waterlooville providing something that the owner has found hard to find in the area - an all-day brunch.
Work is currently underway to get Benedict’s Brunchbar ready for opening in London Road with owner Ben Mayle aiming to launch the new breakfast spot by the end of May.
The 29-year-old moved to Cowplain five years ago from Basingstoke, and one thing he felt that was missing in the area was an all-day brunch spot. Having run a number of cafes and eateries for other people over the years, he decided to take the plunge and open his own to fill the gap in the market.
He said: “Waterlooville doesn't have anywhere where you can go for all day breakfasts, especially at weekends. You have Number 73 and The Exchange but they stop serving breakfast around 11.30am. Brunch is very popular and people want that all day long and you have to go into Portsmouth at the moment if you want it.”
Ben is hoping to utilise the experience he has gained in the industry over the past 16 years. He worked for popular local restaurant Josie’s in Petersfield before helping to set up their shop in Alresford.
He said: “Where I have been in all different areas of the industry I am taking all of the things that have worked and putting it into one. You could say it will be a similar vibe to Josie’s in that it will be an all-day breakfast place but it will be different.”
One aspect that will set them apart is the menu with a large range of gluten free options available. Ben said: “Pancakes will be a big thing for us and we will be offering them gluten free which not many other people do. Around 90 per cent of the menu will be gluten free.”
Ben already has an experienced and “brilliant” chef on board who who shares his “passion and love” for the dishes they are putting together. Alongside classic breakfasts such as a full English and egg’s benedict, there will also be muffins, cakes and “all things brunch”.
There is one dish that Ben thinks will prove popular. He said: “One of our main dishes which I think will do very well is called the bacon naan. It is a garlic and coriander naan topped with cream cheese, chilli jam, rocket, bacon, nigella seeds and chives and is topped off with a poached egg.”
Benedict’s Brunchbar is opening in the unit previously occupied by VK Plant Based Diner which closed last year