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Zoom. I almost can’t be bothered
I’ve eaten here about a million times, because it’s round the corner from my office and because it never seems to change.
The decor is simple; white painted walls, bare, dark wood tables and bold prints. They won’t win a prize for design. The tables are very close together; they pack you in and it isn’t a place to linger – at least not at lunchtime.
I’ve worked in the area for about 6 years now and I don’t think there have been more than a handful of changes to the menu. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.
And the menu isn’t the most exciting one you will see in Marylebone by a long stretch; especially as it’s almost sandwiched between L’Autre Pied and Roganic, but it does have variety and the food is consistent and competent.
It’s run by a rather excitable Israeli woman, who presides over it in a borderline-hysterical manner. The staff are all regulars and this is, in a neighbourhood of destination restaurants, a place for locals.
You wouldn’t travel to get here, or at least I wouldn’t, but if you’re in the area and want a reasonable meal it isn’t a bad choice.
There are about a dozen starters, from seafood salad to a copy of Peter Gordon’s classic scallop dish with sweet chilli and safe choices like grilled asparagus with crumbled egg, Parmesan and balsamic. I usually go for the seafood salad, which comes piled up with seafood and a little bit drowned in Thai-style dressing.
Main courses include chicken Caesar salad; beef burger and fries; cod and mash. Some things are slightly more exciting than that. Steaks and pasta always feature. The portions are generous too.
This is not modish cooking. This is somewhere I go when I take new clients and don’t want the food to be the main topic of conversation.
And the clientele is surprisingly well-heeled, given the low-key surroundings. Lots of business people and a smattering of ladies who lunch.
There’s something for everyone. I’ve never actually had a bad meal there and it’s reasonable value for money, given the location.
I don’t really come here for the wine list but it’s adequate.
Like this review, this is a restaurant which is safe, sensible and not very exciting.