From 21 October, Freak Scene, the Soho restaurant by chef Scott Hallsworth and co-founder Phar Shaweewan that found a permanent home in Soho this year, is launching Sunday brunch with a twist.
Kicking off every Sunday from noon, guests to Freak Scene’s poster-plastered space can perch at the bar to watch the chefs at work on the flaming robata grills, and will be given a choice of two of Scott’s new bruncho boxes.
A tongue-in-cheek twist on traditional Japanese bento boxes, each bruncho box will be packed with an array of signature Freak Scene small plates, featuring Scott’s take on Asian flavours from Japan and further afield.
Inside the B1 box, there’s a takoyaki octopus doughnut - an Osaka street food classic - and a cold salmon sashimi chirashi with kimchee, avocado and house chips. A tea-smoked lamb chop has been marinaded in spicy Korean miso to give it a kick, while a soft bun is stuffed with homemade Thai pork sausage, Scotch bonnet mayonnaise, and peanut salad.
The B2 box takes inspiration from bustling hawker houses with a Singapore-style fried chicken lettuce cup, as well as Japanese staples such as tender black pepper short rib ‘donburi’, and nasu dengaku, an umami-rich miso grilled aubergine. There’s also Jerusalem artichoke chopsticks with truffle ponzu to dip, and Scott’s spicy black cod tacos in a fried wonton wrapper with sushi rice.
Hallsworth has also put his spin on a menu of brunch classics: there’s cheese and onion mochi waffles with a poached egg and a pour of yuzu-truffle sauce; and the ‘Comedown Congee’ with confit chicken, Chinese sausage, fried dough and chilli oil. Guests can order jugs from a choice of Asian beers and a weekly changing punch, or choose from a selection of brunch cocktails.
At each brunch, The Freak Street skiffle-punk band will be playing, and on some weeks, a set from Professor Green’s DJ. Meanwhile, old episodes of classic Japanese gameshow Takeshi’s Castle are projected onto the wall above the bar.
From 21 October, brunch at Freak Scene will be served every Sunday from 12noon - 5pm.