Le Pain Quotidien has branches all over London and the world. This particular branch has two floors with the lower level in the exposed brick railway arches. There is booth seating and also wooden tables and chairs. A big communal table is featured on both levels. Trains can be regularly heard at this cafe.
The entrance has the cakes and breads on display. A takeaway service is available and hot drinks and salads are also on offer. The staff are friendly and give good service.
Le Pain Quotidien has a great combination of soup and half a tartine. It makes for a complete meal. The soup of the day was organic Tuscan bean. A big bowl of rich tomato soup with plenty of beans, pasta and flavour made this hearty soup a good choice.
The smoked chicken “club” tartine came on thin rye bread. Slices of chicken, boiled egg slices, salad, all drizzled with smokey aioli topped the rye bread. There was a lovely balance of flavours. The tartine also came with roasted chorizo crisps but this was omitted as requested. An additional dish of the aioli and a portion of bread accompanied the soup and tartine. As Le Pain Quotidien prides itself on their artisan breads, it is of no surprise that both the breads were so fresh and of a high quality.
One of the seasonal specials was the oven baked omelette. This was made with organic eggs and came baked in its own skillet. A scoop of creamy ricotta and fine herbs topped the omelette. A colourful salad bowl was made up of carrot ribbons, thin beetroot slices and greens. The eggs with the salad went well together. Mixed olives in a dressing was the side dish for the meal.
Le Pain Quotidien does good quality fresh food. Even though it is a chain, the food is of a high standard. They do a variety of dishes that are suitable all throughout the day, from breakfast, lunch to dinner.
Le Pain Quotidien, Festival Walk, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
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