Franzè & Evans: my new favourite place

Franzè & Evans has been around for two years (coincidentally, this weekend is its official second birthday) but I have only realized how fabulous it is in the last six months. I’m a sucker for a place with great salads and delicious coffee, but Franzè & Evans is so much more than that. It was opened by an Italian man – an artist – called Nicolas, who has lived in East London since 1991. He says growing up, his mother ran a restaurant in Italy similar to F&E and “food was everything in their home.”

A few years ago, Nicolas noticed the lack of restaurants in Shoreditch that were casual and relaxed, with great food and coffee. He wanted to open a place with character, high-quality food and an atmosphere where you can sit and read the paper over eggs, or meet a few friends for lunch and a good cup of coffee. He told me, “I wanted to do what I do best: food.”

At first, Franzè & Evans was more of a deli than a restaurant, selling Italian meats and cheese, coffees and dried goods, but Nicolas says it has evolved with the customers, as they demanded a quality local café. The people spoke, and they wanted brunch, so Nicolas gave it to them. Now,  Franzè & Evans is a restaurant open seven days a week from morning until early evening (they don’t do dinner – yet) where you can go to buy ingredients from the deli, or sit down, have a latte and order off the menu. They also sell their pasta and salad dishes for take-away if you don’t have time to sit down and relax.

The menu at Franzè & Evans is seasonal, so it will change every three months or so. Nicolas and his chef work on the menu together, which usually consists of a few breakfast options, a number of pasta dishes, sandwiches, homemade baked goods and a variety of delicious, healthy salads.

I can attest to the quality of the breakfast at Franzè & Evans, without a doubt. Their homemade granola is the best I have ever had with its ability to be salty, sweet, crunchy and chewy all at the same time. Their eggs are made any way you want with a choice of hollandaise, Portobello mushrooms, smoked salmon or slow-roasted Sicilian tomatoes. Although I have never tried the pasta dishes, with Nicolas in charge I think it’s safe to say they are authentic and tasty.

The coffee at Franzè & Evans is one of the best in London and they sell plenty of freshly baked goodies like carrot cake, brownies, and muffins if you’re looking for a pit stop for a cheeky afternoon snack.

The reason why Franzè & Evans is my new favourite place, however, is specifically down to the salads, or the “insalata del giorno” as they call them on the menu. Every day of the week they sell six to eight different salad options and this is not your average leafy, lettuce salad, people. We’re talking about all of the best ingredients like pomegranate and quinoa to squash, pecans and caramelized onions. You’ve got chickpeas and feta cheese, to haloumi and lentils.  Nicolas says the amazing spicy, salty, sweet and citrusy flavours of his salads are all down to his chef (“he’s an artist!” Nicolas said) who he gives free reign on thinking up the right recipes.

You can order a large take-away salad for 5.50 or eat-in for only 6 pounds, and you can mix and match all of the options. They also make quiches and both meat or vegetarian lasagna if you’re looking for something to go along with your salad. One thing is for sure: these tasty salads will certainly fill you up.

Recently, Franzè & Evans received their alcohol license and you can now order a bottle of wine with your meal. The prices are seriously reasonable at about 15 pounds a bottle. If you can’t hang around, F&E sell wine, cheese, meat, fresh bread and olives (and much more) in their fully stocked deli so you can stop in on your way home from work.

If you work in Shoredtich, Franzè & Evans is perfect for a quick coffee, breakfast meeting or a working lunch. If you’re around on the weekends, you’ll love it for a casual and relaxing, yet delicious brunch. You’ll be sure to see Nicolas (you can’t miss his Italian accent!), who I overheard telling a picky customer this morning, “yes, everything’s possible here, trust me.” See why I love it?

Franzè & Evans

Corner of Redchurch Street and Swanfield Street, E2

Open 7 days a week, until about 6 pm.

http://www.franzeevans.com/

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