Back street Kings Cross may not fill you with images of lovely lunches, crisp bottles of wine and creamy cappuccinos, but moments off Grays Inn Road, that’s exactly what 06 St Chads Place offers.

The Venue
Of all the places you wouldn’t expect to find a restaurant, a dilapidated mechanics workshop is certainly one of them. The industrial buildings around Kings Cross Station are increasingly turning into such places, and by all accounts are scrubbing up quite well, smartening up the dingy aesthetic of the area.

06 St Chads Place maintains a warehouse feel courtesy of its airy, skylit interior, roof supports, bare brick and towering double door entry. The train mural complete with rumbling carriages underfoot remind you of the area in which you sit. A brushed steel, deli style bar is smartened up with laid back table service, varnished tables covered in fresh flowers and chocolate leather sofas. It’s an aesthetic that works well.

The Atmosphere
Just like the transitive station passengers, 06 St Chads Place is constantly on the move. People pass by, drop in, move on, but it’s not a place crammed with locals. It's tables of businessmen and women from the surrounding areas, accompanied by easy listening music tinkling merrily away in the background. This place is a worthy waiting room before a train ride home, or just to change your work setting with the aid of their free WiFi.

The Food
The weekly changing lunch menu and tempting tapas are limited so as not to overwhelm. Some items come in two sizes to make up different courses and the pumpkin ravioli (£8.95) is a selection to make at least once. The subtle tomato and onion sauce is enlivened with tangier sundried tomato and the pumpkin filling is soft. Prosciutto, goat’s cheese and pea bruschetta is a cool combination with mint, although charred toast indicates the dish could use some work.

The charcuterie plate (£13.50) is quantity over quality. Strong chicken liver pate and copious parma ham save the dish from the overpowering duck, dull chorizo slices and unappetising bresaola. If you dare spoil the beautifully presented trout en papillote, it is a far lovelier dish with perfectly cooked, fresh trout atop a generous bed of juicy, buttered new potatoes.

The Drink
Thankfully, not dominated by Sauvignon Blanc, 06 St Chads Place dares to stock a more exciting collection of wine. The Verdejo grape is one such exciting choice. Aromatic with tropical mango flavours, the Pasos de los Capulos (£16 or £4 a glass) must be tried. More European options appear on the red list, but it’s the rose selection that impresses, with a Garnacha Rosado coming in at £14. Alternatively, draught lagers include Peroni and Paulaner.

The Last Word
With its blue collar roots and white collar clientele, 06 St Chads Place is a home from home for the industrious, whether it’s a working lunch or a pit stop before a long commute.

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