Cafe Luc, Marylebone, London

Recently my wife and I were in London on business and as we were in Marylebone we decided to try Cafe Luc which is in Marylebone High Street.

We were both immediately impressed with the 'look' of the place, both outside and inside.

It is modern, although discretely designed and there is plenty of room for diners. The seating is comfortable and well-chosen, as is the décor.

We decided to opt for the set menu which is available weekdays from noon until 3pm and also from 6pm until 10pm from Monday to Sunday.

The choice was extremely inviting, consisting of starters, a main cause and a desert.

For the starters the options are: Tomato gazpacho with basil oil,

Fine smoked salmon with English crumpet, horseradish cream and

Terrine of duck confit with foie gras, toasted sourdough.

The main courses are: Pea risotto with aged parmesan, wild rocket

Pan fried Cornish Mackerel with Piperade and Steak & frites, pepper or béarnaise sauce.

And for deserts the choices are as follows: Nutella crème brûlée, Lemon tarte with raspberries and Chantilly plus Tiramisu.

We both decided to have the Fine smoked salmon on an English crumpet with horseradish cream.

An excellent choice, the salmon was melt in the mouth and the horseradish cream tasted as if it had come from Heaven that morning!

We both ordered steak. We both asked for 'very well done' and it was cooked to perfection. The béarnaise sauce was absolutely delicious, as was the pepper sauce, which was my option.

The Pomme frits were a revelation. Fast food restaurants do not sell French Fries. Cafe Luc, on the other hand, does. They were by far and away the nicest chips (of any type!) we had tasted in ages.

For desert my wife chose the Lemon tarte with raspberries and Chantilly whilst I went for the Tiramisu.

The Lemon tart was truly delicious and well-complemented by the raspberries and the Chantilly.

And the Tiramasu? The best I have ever tasted!

Please bear in mind that this is in the heart of London and that the cost per meal was only £15.50. A very modest price.

My wife had a sweet white wine whilst I chose a mineral water. Both modestly priced, too.

The service is excellent and attentive, yet without being over eager.

It is open from 7am until 11.30 with different menus reflecting the time of day.

50 Marylebone High Street
London
W1U 5HN
Tel 020 7258 9878.

http://cafeluc.com

It's probably best to check to see if reservations are necessary.

We noticed a very mixed clientèle, business people, office workers, shoppers and tourists and local people meeting up for lunch.

Will we be going back there? You can count on it.