Better late than never (and after a prompt from our ever efficient lady in the know, Emma), LN’s resident food neurotic took a trip up Charlotte Place to sample this newish gluten-free bakery simply called Beyond Bread.

The bakery-cum-cafe frontage on Charlotte Place

Opened in January to be (they say): “A culinary pioneer who – through a range of naturally gluten-free foods – inspires you on a journey to discover new, yet familiar tastes.” It would seem rude not to indulge.

The busy interior with artisan breads on show

And indulge I did - a chicken and tarragon quiche with salad (for £7.50) and an OMG-I-can’t-believe-it chocolate and custard twist with a sugary glaze. Which as you can seem, was awful…

A chocolate and custard danish post-eating

The shop is open 6 days a week for breakfast and lunch selling a range of goods to take away or eat in (sandwiches, cakes, mince pies, pastries, quiches and loaves), fresh coffee, cold pressed juices and a few other bits and bobs (gluten-free granola for example). They also do dairy-free and vegan.

This is the type of venture that we whole heartedly agree with - and it seems others agree too as the place was nicely busy when we called in. I’ll be back.

www.beyondbread.co.uk 2 Charlotte Place, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1SB.

Does Marylebone really need another drinking and dining establishment? Well, if it’s this good then yes, it bloody well does. Tucked away just off the upper stretch of Marylebone High Street (at 35 New Cavendish Street) this establishment has been given a new lease of life - and then some.

A lot of thought and attention to detail has been lavished on this place - to create a spot that you want to visit - not just once, but time and again whether its for a quick drink or a long lingering dinner.

A fine bar with views onto the elegant Regency streets outside through open shelving; skilled barman equally adept at pouring you a pint as mixing you a cocktail;

sophisticated bar bites on one side and an inventive menu that mixes modern European influence, with a dose of Spanish and Britishness into the mix in the first floor dining room on the other;

an edited wine list with some firm favourites and a few surprise finds (notably Antinori’s sublime Cervaro della Sala - drink this and tell me you still don’t like Chardonnay); and a cigar list too (Cohiba’s for players and Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto’s for those in the know).

But don’t take my word for it - book a table and go and see for yourself.

THE CAVENDISH 35 NEW CAVENDISH ST MARYLEBONE LONDON W1G 9TR

020 7487 3030 www.35newcavendish.co.uk/

info@no35cavendish.co.uk

Rather than a residential development, today’s post concerns a new bar and restaurant to open very soon in Marylebone. Replacing a rather confused tapas/ beer joint in a handsome building at 35 New Cavendish Street (just off the mid to top end of Marylebone High Street), the new place will offer something new in the area’s rather well-endowed food and dining scene.

More information to following in a week or two - but if you want to get in on the action early then visit www.35newcavendish.co.uk and follow the links for their Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter accounts.

To newly opened high end Peruvian restaurant Lima London for lunch last Friday, where I was handed a utensil to eat the ceviche which I’ve never known the name of. Turns out it’s a Spork and I’m the last one to know, it seems.

Billed as a two-tencil thanks to the happy marriage of fork and spoon and in use by toddlers and now put to use on the adult restaurant scene (where it may have been for some time, but has hitherto gone unnoticed). So, is it any good? No. Not prongey enough to prong and not of sufficient depth to ‘spoon’ enough liquid, it is trying to hard to be all things to all men/ women and failing. I like the fun of it, but it’s wrong and should be banished from adult tables.

Lima, however, was excellent. Be advised though, the back room is best on a breezy day - the bar seats at the front suffer from a strange turbulence as the front door doesn’t shut properly. A minor irritation and one that this young, enthusiastic team will no doubt put right in the coming weeks. Along with the sporks, I hope.