Open Mon–Sat 6am–6.30pm and Sun 7am–6pm
I happened to discover this little gem, just a couple of months after it had opened, which was probably just the right time: long enough after opening to have ironed out the creases and not too long for word to have spread and the crowds to have descended. Chez Ben is tucked away off All Saints Road in a tiny little space crammed with kitchen, deli counter and shelves of dry French and Italian foods. The few tables are located outside, so it’s perfect for a sunny Saturday lunch. I don’t know what they’ll do in the less clement British winter, but for the moment it’s perfect.
The man who owns and runs the café/shop is well-loved Ben Harou, formerly of Mr Christians on Elgin Crescent, W11. It’s clear a lot of his loyal customers have followed him up the road.
The dish of the day when we arrived was fish pie (£5). It was perfect and accompanied by piles of delicious, seasonal salads, including artichoke hearts, green beans and asparagus. My friend had a sandwich (£3.50) filled with delights from the deli: sundried tomatoes, aubergine and mozzarella cheese, in a bun made especially for the shop by a local baker. The majority of fresh produce is sourced from Portobello market or Golborne Road and all of the tempting cakes are made in-house. We sampled the rich, chocolate and biscuit Rocky Road (£1.60), which tasted amazing despite suffering slightly from the heat of the day, washed down with blood orange San Pellegrino (£1.20).
My only reservation in writing a glowing review is the fact that I might not be able to get a table next time!
Meal for two, with soft drinks, around £20.
