Restaurants

To reach Bullet, you have to climb three flights of stairs in one of the most unexpected venues imaginable: the Covent Garden branch of the Snow & Rock sporting equipment chain. It’s worth the climb, even if you don’t have rock shoes or belays. This little jewel of a café, carved out of selling-space on the top floor by a roaster from New Zealand, serves coffee and food of exemplary quality. The espresso is textbook stuff, expertly made using Fairtrade organic beans roasted by the company (and available for sale). There are also the usual milky variants, including flat whites, made by Kiwi baristas. Snacks are a cut above: a pissaladière (thin onion tart on flaky pastry) was wonderfully crisp and nicely seasoned with fresh rosemary, and a chocolate brownie was dense, damp and totally dreamy. There are also more substantial dishes such as savoury pies, all made in the small kitchen out back. The perfect place to rest weary legs after a shopping session on nearby Long Acre – and there’s internet access too.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2008