Lively Ethical Organic Nurtitious = Leon (Leon Restaurants)

Member Name: duskmaiden

Product:	Leon Restaurants
Date:	14/09/09 (66 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: ethical, good food reasonable

Disadvantages: run out of things latein the day, a non flushing toilet on one vsiit

Do you want reasonably priced food and drink in London with a strong commitment to ethical sourcing. May I suggest Leon, one of my favourite places for a cool drink, a coffee or a light snack.

Leon is a London mini chain comprising of eight restaurants located all over the capital. I have passed by the Strand branch and ate in the Cannon Street and Ludgate Hill ones. Leon serve a range of simple freshly cooked tasty food and drink from breakfasts to lunch and dinners and all the bits in between. Leon is a very right on chain and have a commitment to using fresh seasonal produce and where possible organic and fair trade. All their meat and eggs are free range and from a traceable source (the website details the exact farms they use). Free range eggs are used in all their cakes so I can eat them without feeling guilty. They have won shed loads of awards including one from the RSPCA, the Observer and the Soil Association

Enough of thee preaching so what's the restaurant like? The Ludgate Hill branch has a homely feel to it with lots of comfy sofas and tables scattered around the large room. Its an inviting place to relax. Wonderful retro feel posters s fill the walls and even the seasonally changing menu has a nice retro feel. There's some lovely fairy lights at the back and it just feels so homely if a little bit haphazard. One of my recent visits was for a cool drink and a catch up with an old friend was a gorgeous hot sunny day so we took advantage of the small number of outside seating in front of the restaurant. The Cannon street branch is smaller and just tables and chairs so not quite as comfortable as the Ludgate Hill branch.

I like the menu at Leon, as well as being attractive it is very informative. Dishes that are vegetarian, low in animal fat, gluten, wheat and dairy free and low GI are clearly marked making it easy for those on a special diet to follow.

Ordering is easy: just go up to the counter and make your selection. One problem I have found is that later in the day they may have ran out of things so always have a back up selection. One niggle was a friend ordered a smoothie late in the day and was told they had ran out. Normally when I have ordered one elsewhere they are made up there and then unless ingredients have ran out suggesting their smoothies are not quite as fresh as others. Hot food is is quickly served up during the day in little cardboard boxes or in foil wrap. I have heard that at dinner time they are served on proper plates but I have never eaten there in the evening.

The choice for lunch and dinner is not extensive but good especially if you like chicken! Luckily there are vegetarian options. I like the sound of the cauliflower and sweet potato curry. I normally go there for a snack so if I want something savoury I opt for the sweet potato falafel wrap. The wrap is presented in a fol covering and has lovely soft but crispy flatbread with a filling of hearty, slightly spice sweet potato (rather than chickpea) falafel and a yoghurt's sauce and coleslaw. At £3.50 i think this is reasonable value for money. I have tasted the hummus which was lovely and chunky.

In the summer I'm fond of their cool drinks. I'm very partial to their cloudy apple juice with mint and lime (£2,40). Its good quality very refreshing apple juice and the mint and lime just gives it a little bit extra and makes it slightly more interesting like a non alcoholic Mojito. If its a really hot day and I'm really thirsty I go for the lemon, ginger and mint quencher which is an infusion of all the ingredients. Its a bargain at £1.50 and it just tastes so bold and zingy as all three ingredients are strong flavours.

Sometimes when I am at Leon i feel naughty and buy a sweet treat to go with my drink. They have a number of tarts that look very yummy such as dark chocolate tart and pecan pie. These cost £2,30 take away or £2.70 ea in which is again fairly reasonable . The last time I visited for an after work chat with some colleagues (I persuaded them it was better than Starbucks , which I believe is true) I fancied a Life by Chocolate mousse but they had ran out. Instead I had a lemon ginger crunch for £2.10. This was a slice of prepackaged cake about the size of a large flapjack. It had a lovely crumbly texture, the lemon and ginger were apparent without being overpowering and the almonds gave it more body and crunch.

The toilets in the Ludgate Hill branch are down a steep set of steps so may not be particularly disabled friendly. I also had a problem with a non flushing toilet once , which was not ideal but it would not put me off going back
i like Leon a lot. Its a good place for a quick bite to eat or meeting friends during the day. I would like to see how the atmosphere changes during the evening , as they do have a selection of wines, spirits and cocktails available. Its jot a nice relaxed atmosphere which would be great for an informal meal to catch up with friends but its not a place I would for a special occasion. I've got my Leon loyalty card which entitles you to a free drink or cake and i will definitely be collecting the stamps,as I find Leon a nice informal eaterie with ethics and makes a change from all your run of the mill chain coffee places.
http://www.leonrestaurants.co.uk

Summary: healthy quick eathical food