Eats: Back in Marylebone

Have been pretty jetlagged, which means falling asleep at 5am and waking up at noon. But it also means tranquil nights and wakeful days. Am exploring The Village a little more too. On Monday night, I had just got back in town and was so tired that I dropped into bed almost immediately. This meant the pleasant feeling of waking up hungry and, since I didn't have anything in the fridge, had an excuse to go out. With my Bible in hand, I spent a quiet few hours in Le Pain Quotidien on Marylebone High Street. Le Pain Quotidien is the perfect place to be alone. Wooden tables, candle flickering, quiet. Indeed, it seemed to be full of people dining alone - except for two tables (one couple and one family), everyone eating there was enjoying a solitary moment, sometimes like me with a book in hand. It has excellent bread, and I will commit the ultimate travesty (in The Boy's eyes) here by saying that it has better bread (and atmosphere) than Paul, but Paul has better pastries and such. The menu is somewhat limited and overpriced, but what you get is very good and well worth the quiet space. And, have I said? The bread is excellent here.

Had lunch with J at Coco Momo today. It's a pretty place, hardwood floor, inviting forest green walls. You can tell, though, that drinks are its main thing - very slick mirrored bar. But for a $5.50 lunch, which includes two of either a soup, salad and/or sandwich, it is a pretty good deal. Warning: coffee sucks here.

The Boy seems to have been enamoured of Chicken Parmesan of late. It's not very Italian, an Australian adaptation, popular in the South. In the spirit of cooking for The Boy, I will be attempting Elise's recipe, served with her basic tomato sauce tonight. Stay tuned...