Flat White Kitchen, Durham

With a stellar reputation in it’s back pocket, the gang behind Flat White in Durham have expanded onwards and upwards. With Shaun Hurrell at the helm, Flat White Kitchen makes Saddler Street it’s new home.

Bustled between Bills and opposite Pizza Express, the simple white exterior and homely yellow glow from the front window draws punters in and gives them a big friendly hug.

The Flat White Kitchen building has kept a firm chunk of the architectural history, with small seating annexes spread over 3 floors (all of the stairs!). It’s all exposed bricks, stripped floors and scrubbed wood mismatched tables. The décor doesn’t feel contrived, it just feels like the place has always been there. If you have a trip to the bathroom, you’ll be amused by the good old Crapper hardware!

With a very simple but well thought out menu, we rolled up early one grim Saturday morning to put their newly curated breakfasts at Flat White Kitchen to the test. Armed with caffeine, we were ready to dig in.

Taking advantage of the current clew of Avocado on Toast dishes doing the rounds – much to my pleasure – the Avocado with Feta, Chilli and Coriander (£6.95) was a fresh and filling breakfast choice. The salty feta cut through the creamy avocado but it definitely could have done with more chilli and less coriander. Personal preference of course, I think everything needs more chilli!

A dish perfect for a hearty appetite, the Salt Beef Hash with Salsa Verde and Poached Eggs (£9.95) was hidden under a mound of watercress for that all important healthy kick! After doing a bit of lawn mowing to get to the good stuff, we were rewarded with huge chunks of beef that melt in the mouth, golden hunks of potato and the perfectly cooked poached eggs. The Salsa Verde was subtle but welcome addition to the dish. Maybe a bit on the pricey side for breakfast but for a brunch or breakfast to tide you over until tea time, this is the one for you!

Our first foray in to the world of Shaun Hurrell’s new world left us full until tea time. Sadly we had no room for the mouthwatering cakes in the display counter downstairs.

I can fast see Flat White Kitchen becoming our go-to place in the city, handy as I am a Durham girl through and through.