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It’s not only that I’m curious as to who’s lunching where and with whom, it’s just that I’M EXHAUSTED.  I’m on strike.  This week, I’m not going out, even once, in the evenings – at least until Friday.  And I’m going to do all my eat-reviews at lunchtime instead.

McNully is back in town! Balthazar London

You see, my workday is predominantly 830am – 3pm so lunch does really get in the way.  Time-consuming and viewed quite simply as fuel to get me through the afternoon with the Smalls, I usually eat something on the way back from the gym or when rushing off to the bus stop.  White tablecloths, hot food and a menu hardly ever come into it.

My first of 3 lunches this week is at Balthazar.  Of course.  McNally and Caring’s new venture in Covent Garden opened at the end of last month and then only opened its lunchtime doors last Wednesday.  The place is bubbling with excitement as eager foodies elbow their way in.

Although, I’m not sure that a sharp elbow works.  I tried both of mine, one girlfriend even faked a whole breakdown on the reservation line and it was only by chance I managed to secure a table for two at midday.  Chance, perseverance and a little begging.  This – my readers – is London’s hottest new restaurant with its very own hotline.

piled up bread at the newest brasserie on the block

My lunching lady today, as an ex-ballerina and a regular at the Royal Ballet, has been counting down the days for this brasserie to open.  Located on Russell Street, it is ideally located for opera, ballet and theatre goers.

brace yourself for my snails at Balthazar

We ate two starters each washed down with lots of tap water and some black coffee – all with change from £50 including service. Dessert (as you are all too aware) is out of the question for me at the moment and – another bonus of lunching – wine, cocktails and beer are sort of out of bounds.

I started with my snails, followed by a goat’s cheese and onion tart.  Ex-ballerina’s lobster risotto with black truffle also tasted amazing.  But a good meal isn’t really why you’re there.  The atmosphere, the buzz and the sumptuous décor:  enormous antique mirrors, properly old-fashioned  loos, spotlessly shiny brass rails and bright red leather banquettes.  Balthazar makes you feel special.  As if YOU are the hottest new thing in town.

Book now without further ado and breathe calmly while they try to secure you a booking.  And, if they can’t, raid the Balthazar bakery next door.

Balthazar bakery – next door

Balthazar London 4-6 Russell Street WC2 020 33011155

wine choices at Negozio Classica, Primrose Hill

Part of me hates the fact that I know nothing about wine.  But the other part of me simply hates wine.  Not the first sip or even the first glass, but the taste and heady feeling just somehow doesn’t agree with me and my genetic make-up.

So it must have been the part of me that hates the ignorance that drove me (and I did drive actually but that was more to do with my current sugar fast) to Negozio Classica, Regent’s Park Road in Primrose Hill, last Wednesday night.

vineyard owner, Basile Aloy

My guest, on the other hand, was delighted to join me.  She is a true wine lover.  First, upstairs, we tasted the wines from the Avignonesi estate as the owner’s son, Basile Aloy, talked us through how his family have impressively turned their vineyards into Italy’s largest biodynamic winery.  And then, we headed back downstairs to review dinner at this Italian wine bar, restaurant and shop rolled into one.

unusually the food is chosen to complement the wine

Mike, the super friendly manager, explained to us that, unlike most other restaurants, the menu here is designed to complement the wine.  And it soon transpired that wine bar is actually part owned by Basile’s family so not only are these quality wines unavailable elsewhere in the UK, the depth of knowledge of how they should be drunk is more than extensive.  We shared plates of antipasto (£15.25), buffalo mozzarella, avocado and pomodori (£11.25) and raved as we feasted on the organic beef fillet tagliata (£19.50).  Matured on the bone (and well hung – cue lots of giggling), the Aberdeen Angus is served with rocket salad and parmesan shavings.

My guest drank (and I sipped) incredible wines.  Favourites were the Sauvignon ‘Raif’ 2011 which we thought would be perfect for a hot, summer lunch and the full-bodied Desiderio Cortona 2008 which, if I can just be technical, is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.

well-hung beef & some superb red wine

As a very temporary sugar-avoider, I had to force her to have dessert for me.  Grudgingly, she polished off the tortino al cioccolato which was (apparently) warm and delicious … and smelt almost irresistible.  Avignonesi Occhio di Pernice 1998 (£200 a bottle) was chosen as our dessert wine.  Syrupy and thick in a big, wide glass, this would have been the cherry on the cake, had I been a wine aficionado looking for a sugar rush.

leaving the warm glow of Negozio Classica

But, seriously, had I learnt a little about wine?  And, if wine isn’t my tipple of choice, would I bother to return to Negozio Classica?  Yes – on both counts.  The wine bar is a chilled and discrete hangout.  The food is authentically while also offering the right balance of delicacies with Italian favourites.  And, as if all that isn’t enough, my slightly swaying guest walked away having purchased a couple of bottles for another night…

Negozio Classica: Primrose Hill (154 Regents Park Road) & Notting Hill (283 Westbourne Grove).