HAVING previously been impressed by the breakfast on offer by a well-known Wood Street nightspot I decided to give one of its neighbours a try to see how the competition shaped up.

I suppose 20 At The Kings has a bit of an advantage in that it is already a hotel, so breakfasts should come as second nature for their hungry guests.

But then, nearby Mackenzies does also shout from its menus about its breakfasts, so I can’t have been the only person to have ordered a bleary-eyed round from there late on a Saturday night and wondered whether it was worth traipsing back in a couple of hours for breakfast.

Served until midday every day (so literally no excuse for not being up in time the morning after!) there’s even an incentive for being there early with a 25 per cent discount for any breakfasts ordered between 9am and 10am.

Sadly I wasn’t up bright eyed and bushy tailed enough for that on this particular morning, but the tariff on the menu is very reasonable already, ranging from £2.95 for a croissant and jam to £7.95 for a big breakfast.

Both feeling a little delicate ourselves we overlooked the croissant and toast and went straight for the big breakfasts. Coming with two rashers of crispy bacon, two pork and herb sausages, two free range eggs, grilled tomato, baked beans, fried mushrooms, black pudding and multigrain toast and butter.

I toyed with the idea of the vegetarian breakfast (£5.95) which comes with falafel burger, potato wedges, free range egg, grilled tomato, baked beans, fried mushrooms with toast and butter, but the lure of black pudding was just too great to ignore.

A friend who had been out with us the evening before had recommended the huevos rancheros (£6.95) which is a generous serving of free range fired eggs, chorizo sausage, black beans, melted cheese, ranchero sauce, and spicy salsa served up on a warm soft corn tortilla.

But with two sore heads, the lure of the iron-laden black pudding was too much to ignore.

With two large lattes (£3 each) alongside, we were well and truly set. And let’s face it, there is really nothing better than a full English the morning after the night before – and this was right on the mark for both of us. The sausages were deeply succulent and the bacon was packed with flavour, while delightfully crispy. And that black pudding – it was just what was needed.

Despite it being a Saturday morning, the bar was relatively quiet. Perhaps word hasn’t yet got out there about how great breakfast is here! It is now.

Mackenzies Café Bar

16 Wood St, Old Town, Swindon SN1 4AB

www.mackenzies.co.uk

01793 430111

Adver Ratings

Food: 9/10

Choice: 8/10

Trip advisor rating: 3.5