This place is recommended as a salt beef mecca but I couldn't find many reviews or any photos on the internet. I hereby plug this gap.
The Brass Rail is the main in-house cafe bit in the food hall of Selfridges, taking up a larger space than alien concessions of the ghastly Yo! Sushi and meh Dunkin Donuts, and occupying a prime spot next to the side doors. The only hot things it serves are salt beef and tongue, served on rye, bagel or several more types of bread. It's been there for, like, ever.
I went for rye, nach, and a half-sandwich, which was more than ample for brekkers. Also one of the U-boat sized sweet pickles, which are neatly sliced for you. You can choose from at least 3 kinds of mustard, which shows they take their business seriously. I had American, I think.
Sides such as potato salad are available at grossly inflated prices from the drinks cabinet, which provides booze as well as juices. What? It was my birthday treat, ok? If you're a regular reader, you may find the word 'birthday' cropping up a lot. It's good to celebrate …
The beef was spongy, soft and of a very generous portion, as is right and proper. Very good, especially with the sweet and crunchy pickle. At 10.30am we were almost the only diners, apart from a couple of old men who I suspect go there all the time. A good sign, if ever there was one.
In the spirit of a good food hall, the whole setup is very casual, and the staff were smiley but not too stuck up. They laughed with me when I asked for the champagne to be opened (I have a horror of champagne corks). That's just right - helpful but not servile.
It's a bit expensive, sure (I can't remember how much but maybe something like £6 for a half, £9 for a whole?) but it's a real dreamy start to a day and just right to take the edge of hunger so you don't buy the entire contents of the food hall. A great help, ever so greatly needed.
NB a C: Merci, cherie, pour le repas d'anniversaire!
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