Salt Yard

The Salt Yard on London's lively Goodge Street (just round the corner from Oxford Street) is an opposition of its exterior surroundings. Inside, class and sophistication reign supreme, even if disco music spills from the speakers during week nights. However, it's on these nights that Salt Yard thrives because it's mostly people who have just finished work that populate the seating plan.

So, why isn't Salt Yard like other tapas joints? Well, apart from the aforementioned extravagant decor, you can come here for something as quick and easy - yet still holding an air of class - as a cheeseboard and a glass of wine; a coffee with a friend and sweet dessert; or a cocktail and bar snacks. They cater for all at Salt Yard, but the most popular clientele are those on business lunches, those there for a pre-theater meal and drink, or a group of friends who have hired the place for a private function. Incidentally, Salt Yard is now taking 17:30 bookings, tailor-made for the pre-theater-ists out for food and a play.

So, you've had the grand tour, let's look at the menu. Keeping it simple here, there are three main categories on the tapas menu: meat, fish, and vegetables. Some great combos could include the Gloucester Old Spot pork belly (always a running tradition at Salt Yard) with crispy shell crab together with something Salt Yard loves to boast about: they're courgette flowers filled with goat's cheese and flashed with honey.

Alternatively, the roast duck breast, Cornish cod cheeks and roasted pumpkin are all supposed to surpass the competition as well. But then how could you resist the char-grilled baby squid flavoured with orange, the grilled underblade beef fillet, or the roast chicken breast with a chorizo and chickpea stew for a real blast of traditional European eating?

Opening times: Monday - Friday: 12:00 - 23:00, Saturday: 17:00 - 23:00