London Lounge: Marylebone
Have you ever tried to find somewhere nice for a coffee or lunch at the top end of Oxford Street? Chances are you will be faced with mediocre chain cafes. You could always pop into Selfridges, but hey – not many of you have won the lottery. Fret no more. At the back end of St Christopher’s Place, at 65 Wigmore Street, is the Comptoir Libanais.
Don’t be put off by the slightly expensive-looking exterior; the interior (decor and food) is cheap, cheerful and incredibly vibrant. The walls of this Lebanese deli-come-cafe are lined with produce, and a tasty variety of food is on display behind the counter. You can just have a coffee or mint tea, opt for a salad, or blow out on mezze.I was on my own, and rather than sit at a table, I was offered a seat at the communal bar. It was far too cramped to read, but the upside was I got to eavesdrop on my neighbours with impunity. Service is quick, and you can get lunch and a drink for less than a tenner. What more could you ask for?
