Restaurants

The large Waterstone’s in which 5th View is housed is a temple for bookworms. There’s a hushed air about it, with customers quietly perusing the shelves, but as you make your way up the spiralling staircases towards the top floor café-bar, the magic is broken. Excited chatter and the clang of cutlery reverberate off the walls; but then we came to eat, not to pray. For lunch, 5th View offers a hearty selection of freshly prepared tarts, soups and salads that provides much-needed sustenance for the room of intellectuals, office workers and well-off students (making notes on Foucault while chowing down). Our peppery rocket salad with smoked chicken, juicy cherry tomatoes and black olives was simple in description, but the use of top-notch fresh produce shone through. At night, the place transforms into a chic after-work watering hole, serving inspired cocktails (watermelon and basil with tequila, vodka espresso). Food and drink are the attractions here – not the view, which is mainly of rooftops.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009