Tom's Deli
'A bit pricey and chaotic but fun, homely and excellent for people watching'

Tom’s Deli

Open daily 8am–6.30pm

The blackboard outside Tom Conran’s deli is currently promoting its shaded garden. At weekends, good looking locals – celeb regulars include Annie Lennox, Jason Donovan and Damon Albarn, while Madonna was also recently spotted here – queue patiently, hoping to bag one of those coveted tables or one of two on the balcony.

Gooey cakes and old-fashioned jars of sweets greet you as you enter, while the café-cum-American-diner is full of booths above which hang framed, retro grocery packaging.

I arrived with a friend for lunch, so we were lucky enough to get one of the Ibiza-inspired blue ceramic table and stools – although not the most comfortable for a three-course meal – in the garden, which is indeed shaded by a large fig tree which bursts through the garden shed.

Our lovely waitress was chatty and suggested the sweet mango nectar (£4.95), while my friend chose the coconut water (£2.95). Pricey drinks, although she also brought over a jug of tap water and glass of ice (without being asked).

We both chose starters from the specials menu – gazpacho and minestrone soups (both £6.50 each). After 20 minutes our waitress brought out our mains and looked a little confused when we insisted on our soups first. Unfortunately, they weren’t worth the wait; the gazpacho soup was a bit bland and lacking any kick to it. Ditto the minestrone, which was also too salty for my liking.

Our mains were a lot better. My poached salmon (£11.50) was fresh and tender and arrived with new potatoes and a simple salad. The sauce viege was on the right side of sweet. My friend’s halloumi salad with puy lentils, roast peppers and salsa sauce (£10.50) was satisfying; the halloumi perfectly grilled and the peppers sweet.

We were too full for dessert, but vowed to return for the newly introduced afternoon tea. Tom’s Deli might be pricey and the service a little chaotic, but it’s fun, homely and perfect for people watching.

Tom’s Deli, 226 Westbourne Grove, London, W11; www.tomsdelilondon.co.uk; 020 7221 8818

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