On a charming street in Marylebone, where even the launderette looks lovely, sits the latest branch of veggie restaurant The Gate.
Understated, sleek and minimal – despite being almost austere in style – it somehow manages to be super comfortable. And with plenty of bistro-style pavement seating it’s a lovely spot for sitting in the sun, sinking some scrummy organic wine – of which they have a brilliant selection – and pretending you’re in Paris.
The Gate is kind of like that good-on-paper boyfriend – Aidan from ‘Sex and the City’, if you will. There really is nothing to complain about: the service was perfunctorily polite and the dishes well composed. But there was no spark. The Thai green curry was beautifully presented, with sticky rice wrapped in a banana leaf, but it’s not going to bring back memories of Bangkok. And the cappuccino vegan cheesecake, while creamy and delicious, quickly faded from my mind.
The Gate may not be the kind of long-distance love affair I’d cross town for, but it’s worth visiting if you’re in the area.