Nº 6: Sam Brunero
The founder of Brocante 26 talks off-licences, antiques markets and his secret one-stop shop for flowers.
We’re back with the homeware dealer Sam Brunero. Read on to find out what he’s into, and if you’re new here, hit subscribe for secret recommendations every Monday and Wednesday.
Retired estate agent Sam Brunero started Brocante 26 in the summer of last year, with help from his co-founder Coco and interior designer Alessia Miro. The furniture and homeware business aims to give people the chance to buy unusual, vintage, well made things for their home at an affordable price point.
☞ EAT TOKYO: If Nobu never met De Niro, that’s pretty much the best way to describe it. There are a few in London but the Notting Hill Gate location is the best. Very good (and cheap) food, and even better and cheaper sake. It’s always busy but has possibly the fastest moving queue in London. Occasionally aggro, no-frills service with the exception of the manager, our lord and saviour “Ben”. eattokyo.co.uk
☞ OFFIES: My favourite is Keyham Local on Westbourne Park Road, it is the champion of all off-licenses. You never find two of the same corner shops. As a prerequisite they must all sell: Caramel Dairy Milk, Rubicon, chewing gum, Pringles, etc. But they all have their own unique quirks – some sell alcohol, some have a weird fruit and veg section outside, some have a post office in them, some close at 8PM, some stay open all night, some will let you off 10p if you’re short, some charge you £1 to pay by card. The corner shop is a wonderful thing.
☞ BAR ITALIA: It’s hardly a well-kept secret but it’s still the best, not just for the coffee, but as a place in general. A place to kill time, sober up, people watch, to start the day, to finish the day. It’s always there and never seems to change. Just stay away from the food… baritaliasoho.co.uk
☞ MYSTIQUE: A reluctant recommendation that I have selfishly always kept secret. The best flower shop in London, they mainly do commercial work but if you call them or walk in, then you can buy for yourself/have them delivered. They are the cheapest, best quality, and longest lasting flowers in London and the guys there are amazing. mystiqueflowers.co.uk
☞ WEMBLEY ANTIQUES: Vintage furniture and homeware market on the last Wednesday of every month right by Wembley Stadium. They have lots of beautiful and unusual things, and it’s a good one for anyone living in London without a car as it’s on a tube line. Lots of the traders here also trade at Kempton, Sunbury and other bigger fairs. wembleyantiquesmarket.co.uk
☞ DEPTFORD MARKET: Very, very different to Wembley in just about every way, and certainly more fun. If you go on a weekday and don’t buy anything it’s still worth it for the experience. Tables and tables full (usually of complete rubbish) with the occasional scattered 50p hidden gem. Some amazing people and there seems to be a family of boxer dogs that just wander about – I still have no idea who they actually belong to. Go to Deptford Café when you’re done. lewisham.gov.uk
☞ THE GLASSHOUSE: Probably the best pub in London. No-frills (seriously, no-frills). The go to place whenever you’re in soho. google.com/maps
☞ HOT TAKE: Telling everyone how much you LOVE tequila is not a defining personality trait.
☞ READING: Pour Me - AA Gill. My all time favourite, currently re-reading for the 300th time. waterstones.com
♪ LISTENING TO: Arya - Nigo
☠︎ HATES: Brunch, asking waiters what to order, what Netflix have done to the Anna Delvey story.
See you Monday, when our next guest will be revealing their secrets. ☞