Restaurants

Mario's has the heart and soul of a greasy spoon – its eponymous owner is on first-name terms with his customers, happy to dole out chatter alongside steaming mugs of tea and there was a lively inter-table debate about the football going on as we arrived. But this place has a definite sense of style. The white-painted walls are dotted with cool contemporary pictures, and the menu shows similar flair: poached eggs on toasted ciabatta with prosciutto is hardly your typical caff breakfast and it was delicious. Mario's standard fry-up also met with approval – only the sausage tasted cheap. Lunch options range from salads and focaccia to more substantial specials such as pasta and meatballs.

Time Out Cheap Eats in London Guide 2007