Where Olivia Went: Bond & Brook

When it comes to places to eat, I am an incredibly samey person. No, I'm not proud I've probably eaten in Pizza Express more than I have at home- and if I could bring myself to venture further than a Zizzi every time I fancied a good salad or pasta dish I definitely would (you guessed it, I'm an Italian girl). Perhaps I'm lazy, or perhaps I'm in love. Who knows. However, if somewhere sounds good enough, I will venture out of this comfort zone, and this year I have vowed to try more interesting restaurants and broaden my small and routinely pallet- this my friends, is where Bond & Brook comes in...

Situated in a cosy corner of the Fenwick's womenswear department, Bond & Brook is modest yet sophisticated- and upon entering I already felt one hundred percent more glamorous despite my just-come-out-of-work-sweaty-chic-look (yes, I will take a champers- thank you dah-ling). Oozing sassiness, and the kind of unquestionable simplicity associated with incredibly expensive restaurants, it's safe to say this place had me at hello. Although namely a day-time restaurant, we paid a visit early evening, and were still presented with a level of service that definitely made us feel more than welcome. With afternoon teas and a brunch menu to put you off Shreddies for life, the options were endless- and the range satisfied everything from a light lunch to a just-filling enough dinner (and additionally offered options to 'Fashion your own meal'- geddit, fashion).

With Joe and I both being pretty different eaters it was a good opportunity to sample different aspects of the menu, with me opting for a healthy Tuna Niçoise salad option (and erm, hummus and warm flat bread and chips on the side) and Joe going for the steak. Now, I'm no steak expert- but this chap knows his meat and he was incredibly impressed by the excellent quality ('it was sealed perfectly') for such a reasonable price- which definitely meant all the less washing up for the kitchen. But we didn't stop there. With pudding coming in the form of ice cream (yeah, watch out Ben and Jezza) to some mini rainbow macaroons delicately wrapped for the way home, I felt thoroughly spoilt (and full). Additionally, just in case you wanted some let-your-dinner-go-down reading or Pin-spiration for your money, the interior walls were decorated with some of the most covetable fashion books and stacks of Vogue- leaving you feeling completely inspired (and making passing the women's fashion on the way out ten times harder, you clever people...)
Overall we had a completely wonderful evening and I will definitely be back soon to sample the Afternoon Tea (surely it'd be rude not to?) and you know what, maybe I won't be going back to Zizzi's after all.

Bond & Brook, Fenwick, 63 New Bond St, London W1A 3BS

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