Ottolenghi

Tantalizing Salads in Cozy, Intimate Setting

Nestled discreetly off Marylebone High Street, Ottolenghi's tiny culinary haven offers an inconspicuous charm. This bijou spot comprises a single eight-seat communal table amidst shelves of delectable salads and pastries that lure the takeout crowd more than the sit-down diner. On bright mornings, the air is spiced with Middle Eastern inspirations, from shakshuka to those sweet, sticky pastries that leave your fingers gleaming. Fans of Ottolenghi might balk at the restrained breakfast menu but will delight in midday when sumptuous platters of salads begin their tantalizing display—a rainbow of aubergine, broccoli, and zesty pineapple, generous for the taste buds if not quite for the pocket at £19.50 for three choices.

The service, while naturally challenged by the venue's bustling footprint and lack of a proper queueing system, often emanates warmth and attention. However, be prepared for the puzzling absence of bathroom facilities—a befuddlement left unaddressed, though close proximity to nearby establishments like Selfridges offers a makeshift remedy. This quirky trait hardly diminishes the wonder of Ottolenghi’s culinary craft, executed with trademark zeal, although some may find the absence of organic certification disconcerting for the palate-conscious. For an intriguing taste of Ottolenghi’s famed innovation at Marylebone—a place that smacks of thriving boulevards and uplifted forks—it seems one must leave practicality at the door and simply savour. — Milo Tastemaker