The smell of freshly baked bread and brewed coffee will draw you into Le Pain Quotidien - pick up bread or a pastry from the bakery counter or stay a little longer and enjoy a meal at the large communal table.

The Venue
Le Pain Quotidien (meaning daily bread), the brainchild of Alain Coumont, is a Belgian chain formed in the early 90’s. You can whet your appetite by visiting the bakery counter, which is bursting with tempting bread, pastries, cakes and tarts. The rustic decor is made all the more obvious thanks to the brick walls, wood finish, cloth wall hanging and smell of fresh bread. You can take a seat outdoors or inside on one of two levels, where you can find small tables and large communal dining tables for indulging in a salad, tartine or roast chicken.

The Atmosphere
The South Bank branch of Le Pain Quotidien has a rustic air that makes it feel like a big, friendly country kitchen packed with tasty delights. If dining on a communal table you could be interacting with someone from the furthest parts of the world, as the South Bank attracts visitors the world over, or a local professional. Le Pain Quotidien attracts a large variety of clientele who enjoy freshly prepared healthy food.

The Food
The cuisine is mostly organic and essentially French. Expect to find seven different types of delicious bread, from sourdough and rye to walnut and a range of croissant. The day menu varies from the evening, with no hot food other than soup. Instead, you can taste a fresh fruit or green salad, or the tartines (a French open sandwich) layered with fish, chicken, vegetables or egg. If you’re enjoying a snack with friends then be sure to try one of the platters with bread, though it must be said that a warm platter would be more satisfying than the cold platters, which are presented. The dinner menu includes main courses of seabass, roasted chicken, fillet of beef and vegetable bruscheta, and range from £9.50-£15.50. There is an impressive dessert menu to follow that could find you stuck choosing between a fruit crumble, chocolate fondant, mixed berry tart or carrot cake - the list is virtually endless. The desserts are either freshly made on the premises or come flown in from Brussels.

The Drink
The focus here is on organic, healthy food, so don’t expect to find your caffeine hit in the form of a glass of coke. A range of coffees and teas are available, including organic teas and infusion teas, and only organic milk is used in the coffee. If a warm drink doesn’t tickle your fancy, a iced latte might do the trick or freshly squeezed juice. Homemade limeade with mint can be found on the menu, which costs £2.50, or try a Luscombe organic drinks in apple and pear, a raspberry lemonade or cool ginger beer at the same price.

The Last Word
A quaint place to break bread with loved ones and enjoy a healthy meal alongside a naughty dessert!

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