Hummus Galore

Hummus Brothers is, unsurprisingly, a Hummus restaurant/cafe run by two brothers. I remember it opening on Wardour street and thinking, although I adore hummus, that it would never last, the menu would be too limiting and you can just buy a tub from the supermarket surely. How wrong I was. They have just opened their second branch in Holborn and deliver across the west end. I have passed it many times and it is always busy so last Saturday, after visiting Bar Italia, we decided to try it out, although it had clearly already proved itself a success.

It is a concept restaurant in so much as you chose a bowl, small or large, choose a topping to go on the hummus and a side dish if you want one. This is all explained by a cheerful waitress and service generally is quick and friendly. I had cherry tomatoes, onion and cucumber salad as a topping and Joff had tabbouleh and a hard boiled egg. The egg was an extremely strange colour but this didn't deter him and we both tucked in. It was good. And filling. The hummus was a nice consistency and you could taste the tahini, garlic and lemon sauce is served on the side for those who are squeamish about such things. It makes a decent alternative to a sandwich and would make a good, quick dinner before a film or show. You can add more sides to make it more substantial or go for a bigger bowl. It cost about £15 for two with two large glasses of apple juice. It is more or less opposite Just Falafs and has mostly shared seating but with more of a restaurant feel than the falafel bar.

Bar Italia

Bar Italia, for those of you who have not yet visited, is a famous and long standing Italian coffee bar, with the emphasis on Italian. There are some tables outside which enable a good view of the comings and goings on Frith street and some stools inside so you can sit, feet dangling and listen to the waiters showing off. The coffee is good and strong, if not cheap (it cost £5 for two coffees yesterday). The place has been here for years and is open late, which means that many Londoners have a history associated with it, usually a well needed coffee after a late nights drinking. They also serve cakes and sandwiches, none of which i tasted, but which looked fresh enough. It makes a difference from the ubiquitous chains and the coffee really is good and strong enough to keep you ticking along for a day in town.

Running 10k

Last Sunday we ran the British 10k. It was my first public run, unless you count slogging along the road occasionally or running on the treadmill at the gym, and I actually enjoyed it. It took me 1hr 15 minutes and I was stained a deep reddish purple but there is something exhilarating about being involved in large public events, as well as being able to run in the road past several key London landmarks. I may well do one again and it hasn't stopped me running at the gym so there must be something about it I like...afterwards we went here and ate chips.

Eat and Two Veg

Eat and Two Veg is a vegetarian diner in Marylebone High Street, with the emphasis on diner. It is the diner styling of the restaurant that makes it so appealing. Most vegetarian restaurants, at least until recently, have either been cramped cafe style affairs for lunch or a hasty dinner, or pared down, austere temples to health that aren't that much fun. Eat and Two Veg is a proper restaurant with red leather (or perhaps leather 'style') booths, spacious seating and good, friendly service. The food does tend towards vegetarian versions of meat dishes, such as schnitzel, sausage and mash and burgers, which I know will put some people off. However it is perfectly good, if not high end, food and the vegetables themselves are fresh and nicely presented. The burgers are tasty, the chips crispy and my husband has enjoyed a range of 'fake' favourites such as hotpot and schnitzel and mash with watercress sauce. I know there is an argument against imitating meat dishes in vegetarian cooking but there is something comforting for a vegetarian in knowing you can choose anything from the menu and be served, good, nicely cooked food in relaxing and enjoyable surroundings. It may not sound like a lot to ask but it makes a welcome change to risotto or earnestly served bean salad and quiche.