Healthy, filling and not a mung bean in sight, Leon has got fast food all wrapped up.

The Venue
Smaller than the other branches of Leon, this venue located on the north side of Regent Street is more of a take-away café than a restaurant. But that’s no bad thing; it exudes the same rustic European charm, with brightly coloured wall art, exposed metal vents and baskets of chillies and herbs. There are a handful of small tables and chairs, and industrial-style metal bar stools looking onto the busy street.

The Atmosphere
Not much of an atmosphere but then it’s somewhere you’d either take-away or stop for a quick bite. It’s pretty quiet of an evening and busier during the day, with shoppers nipping in to recharge their batteries. The staff are friendly and the service fast.

The Food
Leon has been dubbed the future of fast food and lets hope it is because the wholesome, tasty fare beats a Big Mac or Whopper hands down. To start the day there’s a choice of tasty muffins, pastries and wholemeal baps stuffed with bacon, sausages, mushrooms or the full monty I Love English Breakfast bap. There’s also organic porridge with a whole host of interesting toppings to choose from, such as stringy-bark honey or homemade blackberry compote.

The lunchtime and dinner menu serves a further wholesome range of healthy tucker. There’s soups and salads, wraps and main dishes, all stuffed full of fresh, natural ingredients so you feel as though its helping towards your five a day even if you’ve only five minutes to wolf it down. Leon’s menu is great for veggies or those with intolerances as there’s a little key showing which choices are wheat, gluten, lactose and meat-free.

A number of dishes are available by starter or as a bigger dish served with brown basmati rice, sprinkled with pumpkin seeds, such as the roasted sweet potato falafel, which is gooey, delicately spiced and well worth a try. The Moroccan Meatballs and Leon Gobi (a light coconut milk curry infused with garlic and herbs) are fresh, hearty, good-sized portions and also highly recommended, although quite pricey for takeaway at £5.00 - £6.00.

The tempting superfood salads would even impress Gillian McKeith, yet refrain from tasting like rabbit food. The grilled chicken salad served with broccoli, spinach, peas, quinoa and aioli sauce (yoghurt with garlic), is crunchy and yummy while feeling super healthy as well.

There are opportunities to ruin your good intentions however, with cakes, brownies and delicious puddings such as a rich pecan pie and light and creamy lemon cheesecake served in little brown boxes. So despite the undoubtedly natural and nutritious ingredients, the food is probably still quite calorific, although less from fat and more from fibre.

The Drink
Tempting nutritious offerings include fresh fruit juices such as blackcurrant quencher and carrot and orange juice, and thick, filling smoothies blended with organic oats and honey. The unusual caffeine hits are available, with various teas and coffees.

The Last Word
Healthy, fresh and wholesome, Leon may be more expensive than the greasier and better-known fast food joints, but amid the UK’s obesity epidemic, let’s hope more branches pop up around the country soon.

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