Flat White Kitchen, Durham

 Looking for somewhere to get brunch in Durham? Then this is for you. If you like pancakes, avocado and you're one for instagramming your food, you're gonna love this...Flat White is one of my favorite haunts for a coffee (usually a flat white - or a chai latte if I'm feeling a little more adventurous) so when I finally visited the sister café/restaurant, Flat White Kitchen, on Saddler Street, I knew I was in for a treat.
With the similar minimal decor, open brickwork, warm lighting and succulents lining the big open windows; it's certainly very inviting and somewhere you could happily sit and catch up with an old friend, spend time with family, or take the other half for a brunch before shopping.
I knew there were pancakes on the menu and had heard quite a lot about them, so I had to order them - if only just to give you my opinion on whether they're worth the hype. My sister, Lucy opted for the avocado on toast, adding in some bacon too (well why not?!) They were more than happy to cater for her with gluten free bread - the only downside, they don't offer gluten free pancakes...yet. Hopefully that's something coming in the future.
Our coffees were great, my company was lovely as always and brunch was definitely very filling. I managed about 3 pancakes and pushed another quarter around my plate to soak up more maple syrup. It's safe to say the ricotta pancakes with syrup and fruit are pretty heavy-going and certainly very sweet - not at all a bad thing though!
I've actually been back since and had the smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel, served with a healthy amount of rocket, so if you're looking for something more savoury that's definitely an option. Otherwise the avocado on toast seemed to go down a storm with Lucy.
Flat White Kitchen; definitely worth the hype! If you get there on a weekend a little while after opening you may have to wait, but trust me, it's worth it!