The people who pioneered wholesome, tasty takeaway food have opened their first self-service restaurant on The Strand.

The Venue
Leon is immediately striking for its bold, bright colours – the red, yellow and blue colour scheme is fresh and fun and the bookshelves, tiles and retro signs give the place a quirky charm. Small tables and stools made from round cushions on top of buckets are arranged around the windows. This is Leon’s first self-service restaurant – its other branches at Carnaby Street, Ludgate Circus, Old Brompton Road and Spitalfields are counter and table service only.

The Atmosphere
The cafe has a chatty, relaxed feel. It gets busy and difficult to find a table around midday, as it attracts a lot of local business people going out for lunch with colleagues. Understandably, it’s a popular choice because it offers food that’s not just fast but also healthy and appetising.

The Food
For breakfast, order from a selection ranging from the back to basics bacon sarnie to organic porridge and power smoothies. The lunch menu is mostly Middle Eastern, and things like a delicious sweet potato falafel and hearty Morroccan meatballs are served alone in pots, or in boxes with fair trade organic brown rice, open sesame slaw and flatbread.

The chef used to work at The River Cafe and New York’s Tribeca Grill and his experience shows. The winter menu changed to a spring one when the clocks went forward, so there’s now a whole load of new stuff to try, including Tuk Tuk salad, pea and mint soup and green pea curry.

The Drink
Leon has a huge range of interesting drinks available, from fruit and vegetable juice blends, and hot drinks like the lemon and ginger cold buster, to beer, wine and cocktails from the bar. New spring drinks include lemon, ginger and mint quencher and a blackcurrant quencher, made with British blackcurrants and natural fruit sugars.

The Last Word
Leon serves quick, easy, healthy food that’s a bit more interesting than the usual fast food fare. Perfect if you’re in a rush at lunchtime or at night before going to the theatre or cinema and want a bit more than a sandwich.

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