Food: Food For Eating, Drinking and Thinking

Situated in the heart of Central London, this tiny wholesome cottage like restaurant, certainly gives its customers a taste of life in the countryside. Which is terrible, if you came to the city to run away from all that. In that case, stop complaining and leave, no-ones forcing you to stay.

Walking into the place, or standing in the place rather, as there is no room to maneuver yourself either upstairs or downstairs; you find yourself looking for a decent menu. There is not one clear print of what is available to eat downstairs as there are many different ones hanging from different walls. This is definitely not a professional place. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

After waiting ten to fifteen minutes in line to order, if you're lucky enough to get a table, the pressure is on to say the items as quickly as possible in case the person behind starts huffing and puffing. After ordering you have to wait for your meal to be slopped in front of you like a school or prison canteen, the difference is, there's no hair.

If you are one of the unlucky few that didn't miss the dinner rush, don't sweat not having a table to yourselves, you can always cuddle up to your neighbor, or that's at least what they tell you, they meaning the people who work throwing your food into your plate. What's weird about it, in the heart of London, they take their advice and they sit next to strangers and they have a good time. 

Upon going there, I ordered the Malaysian curry (after panicking on the spot and being forced to choose between that or the spinach quiche) It came with a side of noodles, and an oriental styled salad. To be completely honest, it was bland and needed more salt, there was none in reach, because the only objects on the table were a water jug that they fill up and keep there, I'm guessing to stop them from being bothered as the station they work in looks hard to get out of. The curry itself wasn't spicy but it did fill me up and allowed me to feel better about myself, it tasted healthy and home-cooked.

The real treat in this place is the dessert. Of course, the waiting period has gone up by then as everybody has the same idea in mind. Unlike my sister, who had the quiche (good choice) and ordered her strawberry surprise straight away. After queuing for a while, I ordered four Strawberry and Banana treats, so did the man behind me, except... I finished the only remaining servings and that, in turn, acquired a simultaneous sigh that was heard throughout the queue. 

"Are you joking? That's the only reason I come here!"

After feeling bad for about five minutes, I realized that the dessert was actually adequate, however, I expected more from the taste as the people groaning heightened my expectations. Sadly, this place did not satisfy every itch I was feeling in the taste department, they are afraid of salt and sugar and that, for a restaurant is a dangerous combination. 

Oh, I should mention, this place is fully vegetarian, not a dead cow or chicken in sight or site. 

The feel of the place however, is certainly something else, it's home and home cooking smells all in one, and it makes you feel safe, like the people around you don't have criminal records, or social discrepancies.

If you feel like checking it out, everyone should:

Food For Thought

http://foodforthought-london.co.uk/

VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT, TAKE-AWAY & CATERING SERVICE

31 NEAL STREET, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON WC2H 9PR