Tucked away in a little side lane, just a short stroll from Baker or Bond Street lies 108 Brasserie, a modern take on a fine dining restaurant with the same simple but delicious A la Carte menu morning, noon and night. With impeccable service throughout both the day and the evening, it remains popular for working lunches, dates and family get-togethers alike – not something you can say for everywhere in the city.
Immediately upon arrival, we were seated and taken through the menu – which had its work cut out with Ellie and I, who both eat gluten free – and me, as an additional hassle – dairy free, too. Usually this can frustrate waiters and waitresses (who think that this dietary ‘choice’ is just us being quirky) however our waiter wasn’t deterred and ensured that all of our choices met our requirements. He kindly also brought over some gluten free bread and olive oil without us even requesting it, which we washed down with our recommended cocktails – the ‘Silver Fox’, a passion fruit and rum concoction which was rather photogenic!
Ellie opted for the Superfood Salad with chicken – which also looked very aesthetically pleasing – while I went for the Josper grilled chicken with lemon, thyme and garlic. The Josper is the brasserie’s special method of grilling, so delicious that they devote an entire section of the menu to it. It’s a very healthy way of cooking (locking in all the nutrients) and creates this delicious chargrilled but flavoursome meat. My good intentions were also quashed when I saw the ‘side’ offerings, a small bucket of french fries – some of the best I’ve ever tasted!
After treating our dishes to a little photo-shoot, we tucked in and whittered away about the blogging world. Ellie has been a friend of mine for a couple of years now, after first discovering her amazing blog – and instantly becoming addicted to her witty, engaging writing style and amazing outfit photos (she really has that effortless chic style nailed). We catch up a couple of times a year and it’s always a pleasure!
With an hour or so left in our schedules, we thought we’d treat ourselves to pudding too – especially since 108 offer an amazing selection of gluten free alternatives – cakes, macarons and meringues, presented beautifully on a little plate. I also gave the Josper grilled pineapple with coconut sorbet and chilli and lime, a try – since it sounded intriguing. Weirdly, although you wouldn’t expect the flavours to work – they really do, it was incredible!
If you’re looking for a place to lunch that offers a little more than your average Pret or fast food joint, 108 Brasserie is definitely one to try. It’s modern, bright, open and airy – with a really welcoming and friendly feel. The service was impeccable throughout, although not intrusive at any point. The waiter could see that Ellie and I had lots to catch up on and seemed to come in only at the breaks in our conversation – which was rather skilled! The menu is affordable in terms of London prices, however it’s beautifully presented and caters for all. If you’re in the area, just pop in – like us, you might just be tempted by the decor alone!
108 Marylebone Lane, London, W1U 2QE
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