Blessed with a delicious setting and delicious food, See Cafe is a welcome addition to the sometimes unadventurous Paddington.

The Venue
Located in a secluded new residential and business building just off Praed Street, See Cafe is a lovely little retreat that benefits from the communal feel of its setting. Its more than pleasant outside dining area looks over an expanse of water and is blessed with enough foliage and greenery to enable visitors to feel like they’re somewhere other than smack in the middle of Paddington. Inside is just as enticing, with authentic fittings and fixtures that complement the excellent food.

There’s also a busy deli just off the main dining area where you can buy the ingredients that make up your meal. This makes the restaurant feel nicely vibrant and accessible and it also gives you a connection with the food itself.

The Atmosphere
See Cafe seems to benefit from a steady lunch trade and its quick-fire, healthy dishes are perfect for those restricted to an hour’s lunch at work. The proximity to local businesses means that you can expect to be sitting with suits in the early afternoon but this is no bad thing, as they are clearly suits with taste. See regularly caters for its residential neighbours too, with Pimms parties, Oriental barbecues and other bits and bobs. This neighbourhood feel to the restaurant ensures that there’s a really friendly vibe that’s fostered by the staff as well.

The Food
If your preconceptions of Oriental food are based on your local Chinese takeaway then you’ll be more than pleasantly surprised by See. The emphasis is on offering healthy alternatives to the MSG-laden dishes that permeate most Oriental menus, and this is achieved impeccably. There is a crisp freshness to the food and the effort and expertise that have gone into everything means there’s no compromise in taste either.

Dumplings are superb and prove there’s considerable talent in the kitchen – of particular note were the pork and radish dumplings that are served with a delicious soy dipping sauce. Side salads are sublime, especially the wasabi coleslaw, a superior alternative to traditional coleslaw. Salmon teriyaki is another highlight, beautifully cooked and carefully accompanied by lime and coriander rice. Again, what is most apparent is the freshness that results in superbly clear and precise flavours.

The Drink
There’s a multitude of soft drinks, as befitting somewhere that welcomes workers for lunch, so expect the usual favourites as well as sparkling pink ginger, elderflower and Sicilian lemonade. As you’d expect from an Oriental cafe there’s plenty of teas on offer too, including many flowering and Numi teas. There’s a surprisingly good wine list as well, with a real selection available. The list seems seems well considered and there are plenty of options that would please most palates, as well as some more exotic choices if the mood should take you. If you need help, the staff is more than capable of providing you with good advice.

The Last Word
Boasting quality contemporary food served amongst a friendly neighbourhood atmosphere, See Cafe looks set to be a popular choice for discerning fans of Oriental cuisine.

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