At lunch time, most businessmen in the City hurry back to their offices with a sandwich from Pret-A-Manger. Instead, my friend took me to Leon, which sounded like a good compromise between his busy schedule and my eager to have a sit-down meal. I have to admit that I don’t have particularly high expectations when I eat out in London, let alone when I go to a fast-food restaurant. This may explain my crush on Leon. You just don’t expect the decor to be so cozy and warm, the staff to be smiley and more importantly, the food to be nutritious and healthy. I had a “Benny’s Winter Chicken Curry” (5.20 GBP, ie. 6 euros) which is basically chicken in a rich coconut milk-cardamom-cinnamon-chilli sauce, served with organic brown rice. Ok, that sounds a bit pretentious (and pricey, but hey, that’s London for you) for a few pieces of chicken fillet served in a box, but the aliments are seasonal, top quality and fresh, and honest, that tastes REALLY good! The menu offers a wide range of fresh and fun dishes: homemade “fresh today” hummus, mexican/ aioli/chilli chicken wraps, “superfood” salads and hyper-energizing smoothies. I was also amused to see the eclectic crowd that Leon attracts: hippie-chic 20-somethings knitting on the sofas, HR managers interviewing CEO-wannabes, and obviously, businessmen like my friend and tourists like me. With its carefully-sourced food, fun recipes and comfy coffee-place-like ambiance, Leon is an exception among traditional fast-food chains, which eventually makes you want to come back at tea time.
Leon
35-36 Great Marlboroough St
London, UK
