"You've heard of Breakfast at Tiffany's?" I asked of the Eating Out editor. "Well, I'm going for breakfast at Sainsbury's!"

Supermarket shopping can be a real chore at this time of year and a slap-up breakfast can work a treat to bribe reluctant partners or children around those seemingly endless aisles.

And you need not be an early riser to benefit, with Sainsbury's at Greengates offering an all-day breakfast as well as brunch.

Last Saturday I took my children for a quick waltz through the store - and then anything they wanted from their extensive breakfast menu.

There truly was something for everyone, so although we don't eat meat, we enjoyed a fry-up courtesy of the vegetarian Morning Glory, which comprised hash browns, plum tomatoes, baked beans, mushrooms, fried egg and toast, all for £1.80. It was all tasty, although my eight-year-old didn't like the plum tomatoes and would have preferred fresh grilled tomatoes.

The plates weren't huge but the food was all freshly-cooked - there were no huge trays of shrivelled-up fried eggs under heating lights!

In fact, the menu offers freshly-fried eggs with fully-cooked yolks, if you prefer, which is the option I chose for my two-year-old. He had two eggs on toast which he thoroughly enjoyed, and which only cost £1.15.

The children had fresh orange juice and hot chocolate to drink while I took full advantage of the system which meant customers can buy a cafetiere of coffee for 99 pence, choose between strong, mild and decaffeinated coffee at the drinks bar called the Oasis, and have a free refill for any cafetiere or pot of tea.

We also had a crumpet basket, which was two toasted crumpets with butter and jam - toast and muffin baskets were also on offer.

Breakfast baps also sounded appealing, with a variety of fillings, such as bacon and fried egg which cost £1.35; and the all-day breakfast costs less than £3 and would fill a pretty large appetite, including two sausages, bacon, fried egg, hash browns, mushrooms, baked beans and fried bread.

There were plenty of high chairs and the tables and floors were clean and tidy; staff were efficient if unsmiling. Breakfasts are served until 11.30am.

Our bill came to a total of £8.44 - a fine start to a weekend.

Jan Winter

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