[Porter69]

The Restaurant London tries to be all things to all people, and more or less succeeds. For local workers, it's a reasonably priced haven at lunchtime, both for sit-in and take-away. With tasty homemade soup and a roll coming in at under £2, and a plethora of sandwich fillings to choose from, the restaurant attracts a lot of repeat business. For families, it's a child-friendly eatery close to the station, offering anything on the menu cut down to kiddie size - and that includes the price.

For visitors to the London, Restaurant London is the natural place to refuel and discuss what you've just seen while tucking into the quiche of the day surrounded by fresh salad, the expansive all-day breakfast or a substantial chicken or beef burger. Restaurants also does a nice line in corporate catering, some of which finds its way onto its everyday menu. So if none of the sandwich fillings on the menu floats your boat, simply ask for one of the more interesting combinations, such as cream cheese and strawberry. Then dive into the zesty lemon cake, moist chocolate muffin or any one of the expansive ranges of scones and tray bakes.In restaurants the food is simply divine. Chef has affiliations to the Slow Food movement, which means the Scottish/Mediterranean menu is created with an eye not just to the quality of the ingredients he uses, but also their provenance.

Inside the décor has an Arab feel, with a canvas-tented ceiling, beautiful wooden tables and flickering candle-lit chandeliers. It would only take minor alterations to a few outdated touches for the Restaurant London to claim its place as one of the chicest establishments in town. Following a quirky and very tasty amuse bouche of mushroom and apple soup, served in espresso cups, a starter of seared scallops reveals that, with the right ingredients, a simple lemon dressing is all that's required for perfection. Mains include wild sea bass with tagliatelle, flavoured with mussels, leaks and saffron, while those seeking hardier fare can delight in the melt-on-your-fork featherblade of Aberdeen Angus beef, complemented with an unusual and very tasty horseradish mash. Superlatives drip off the tongue as you leave following a fruity dessert and the deepest dark-chocolate petit fours.