The chain that made waves with their ‘pay what you want’ offer continues with the extraordinary prices. And even though the food isn’t brilliant, this Farringdon location is a decent enough spot for those on a budget.

The Venue
With its inconspicuous little façade down Farringdon Road, Little Bay doesn’t exactly entice you in, but if you take the plunge you’ll be rewarded by somewhere that’s really quite pleasant; think traditional taverna with a couple of eccentric twists and a touch of faux opulence thrown in. There’s plenty of exposed brickwork, a couple of arched booths and smatterings of gold swathed around everywhere, with a few bits of weird and wonderful art hanging from the walls; including a wire-mesh body complete with cheekily positioned light bulb and the huge gold visage of what looks like a Greek god. It’s all very fascinating, even if it does feel just a teeny bit tired, with toilet doors that won’t lock, hand dryers that won’t dry and bits that could do with a little lick of paint.

The Atmosphere
This is certainly one of Little Bay’s plus points as it instantly feels like somewhere that’s wonderfully informal. The staff certainly help things too, ready as they are with big smiles and friendly help when asked. The upstairs area is a little more intimate and perfect for couples grabbing a candle-lit dinner, whilst the cavernous downstairs is probably the best bet for larger groups – you can imagine things getting a little bit rowdier down there. Expect your fellow diners to be a mix of those looking for an easy after-work spot to grab a bite, students taking advantage of the remarkable prices and larger groups getting together for an affordable catch up.

The Food
With prices as good as these, you can forgive the food for being a little hit and miss. Complimentary bread is a good start though, as are the moules mariniere (£3.95): a huge bowl of decent, well-timed mussels swimming in a well-balanced broth full of shallots, white wine, garlic, parsley and cream. Fried duck breast (£3.95) is much less impressive though, with tough and overcooked duck and an accompanying Marie Rose sauce that’s okay, if uninspiring.

A pork escalope (£6.95) with cottage cheese is perfectly fine, and the fact that the breadcrumbs remain crisp is certainly a surprising positive. The trout stuffed with crabmeat fares a little better, with a decent bit of fish generously filled with sweet crab and served with a tomato sauce that’s light enough to avoid overpowering the seafood. Side of vegetables (broccoli, carrots and potatoes - £2.55) and a Macedonian salad (onions, peppers, tomatoes, carrot and feta - £2.55) are perfectly pleasant.

The Drinks
Keeping things affordable, the wine list starts at a very reasonable £11.50 for a surprisingly drinkable house white from the South of France – it’s crisp and fruity and has none of the harsh acidity you might expect from a wine at this price. If you do want to spend a little more then there’s a little more scope to do so, with a Sancerre coming in at just £21.95 or a very good 2005 Rioja at £19.95. Even the Champagne, a Heidsieck, isn’t far off supermarket prices at £29.95. Coffees are excellent.

The Last Word
It might not set the world alight but that’s not what it’s here for. If you want a very cheap feed in a restaurant that’s very pleasant indeed, Little Bay is certainly a good shout.

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