Offering a classy atmosphere and top-notch food, Harrisons is one of the best balham haunts for the upwardly mobile.

I think the burger is in contention for best balham burger, and the wines are well chosen and served in enormous glasses. I especially like the way you can sit at a high table on stools with other punters and feel like you’re in america.

This used to be the Balham Kitchen & Bar, before it was taken over by Sam Harrison, the guy behind Sam’s Brasserie & Bar in Chiswick.

And to be honest, it hasn't changed all that much. It's still a traditional brasserie, serving unfussy food and drinks from 9 in the morning until way past bedtime.

South London needs more places like this. Somewhere you can roll up to around 12 o clock on a Sunday, slightly worse for wear and get a well-cooked breakfast (traditional full English, or maybe waffles and bacon!) and a decent cup of coffee; and then settle in for the best part of the day with the Sunday papers. Maybe invite a few friends over to meet you for a late lunch and then get drunk all over again on cocktails.

It's one step above your local greasy spoon, but below the fussy restaurant where the waiters glare at you if you outstay your welcome.

When I visited Harrison's it was for their 'soft opening' so they were only serving the breakfast menu but their full breakfast really hit the spot and they do make a mean Bloody Mary...so who needs lunch?!

if you're south of the river I'd definitely recommend this place for a lazy Sunday.

UPDATE:

I went back to Harrison's for dinner last night (Jan 2008) and it was pretty good. Nice cocktails to start (although £11 for a gin and tonic is bloody expensive, the waitress did spill a tiny amount of my gin martini and immediately brought me a second one on the house), the starters were tasty especially the fried squid and the fishcakes, and the mains were a good size and well prepared, the burger is so big it comes on it's own plank of wood!

See my photos for more evidence