The Providores - Peter Gordon

The ethic behind The Providores when it comes to creating dishes is forethought. It's like in the game of snooker; you have to plan the next shot before you make your first. The staff and co-owners, Peter Gordon and Micheal McGrath, strive to make innovation in creativity their driving force behind their menus. It certainly pays off.

You'll find the fine dining area of The Providores on the first floor of the building. It's as white as the clouds with its high ceilings, stretching windows with split semi-circular panes at the top, pristine tablecloths, gleaming crockery and glistening cutlery. It smacks of perfection and elegance and provides a thoroughly relaxed eating experience despite the sophistication in appearance.

There several different menus to choose from at The Providores, and it all depends which day you go. During the week they have the lunch and dinner menus which both offer masterful choices, while there's a bunch option on Saturdays, and roast lunches on Sunday. On Monday - Friday, you could, for example, have pan-fried Scottish scallops with crispy turnip cake followed by pan-fried seabass with butterbean broth. Too fishy? There's also pork belly or lamb chump; duck breast; or the veggie option: spiced spinach and chickpea stuffed in a crispy rice paper roll and, for afters, how about star anise and palm sugar panna cotta; or citrus and allspice baked goats' curd cheesecake? The dinner menu has extra options across the board such as ricotta, watercress and polenta fritters; or sweet potato dumplings for starters. While the evening main courses include spiced ox tail curry; smoked Dutch eel with bacon; and roast Gressingham duck breast. On the dessert menu there's a standout highlight: chestnut butter-filled 70% Virunga chocolate fondant for the truly indulgent diners among us.

You Can Also...

Unless you live there, there's a little-known secret which is exists in Marylebone: its High Street. Of course, you'll be let in on this secret if you visit The Providores because you'll already be on the High Street. But, contrary to its mainstream neighours, Oxford and Regent Street, Marylebone High Street is a much more tranquil (if you can believe it), laid back affair. You won't even think you're in London anymore; it's like a market village. There a several smaller shops - homeware, clothing boutiques and gift shops - including one built in some converted stables. If you're after a really relaxed and peaceful shopping trip, as opposed to a frantic and frustrating one, Marylebone's High Street is your answer.

Open times: Monday – Friday lunch: 12:00 - 14:45, dinner: 18:00 - 22:30, Saturday brunch: 11:00 - 14:45, Saturday dinner: 18:00 - 22:30, Sunday brunch: 11:00 - 14:45, Sunday roast: 18:00 - 22:00

Nearest Tube: Baker Street (Bakerloo, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan Lines), Regent's Park (Bakerloo Line)