A tiny, worn-out kitchen was the catalyst for Hardware Société’s move, almost 10 years after originally opening on Hardware Street.
This 250-square-metre eatery on Katherine Place seats 110 and has a kitchen four times the size of the old spot. The room is painted in shades of dusty pink and emerald, with ivory panelling, cane chairs and emerald booth seating. Pendant lights hanging over a glass case of cakes and other treats are by Danish design store &tradition, and handmade alphabet boards list coffee specials. Art by illustrator Mads Francis and vintage French street signs decorate the walls.
The French-inspired menu has expanded to fit the larger space. Start with a brunch cocktail – there are classics, such as Bellinis and Mimosas, or try the Boozy Tea, which is iced tea spiked with prosecco – then onto oysters with Bloody Mary dressing or grapefruit and gin granita.
More substantial are the baked eggs, which come with either eggplant and ricotta, chorizo and aioli or scallops and jamon. A stack of blinis comes with avocado, prawn gribiche, salmon roe and pickled shallots and pea tendril salad, or there’s lobster Benedict with citrus hollandaise and 64-degree eggs.
Hardware is open on Friday nights with wine on tap, French pop on the speakers and a selection of Euro-leaning snacks on the menu, such as veal and pork meatballs with a piquillo pepper sauce, and jamon and Manchego croquettes.
