The Table, Southwark Steet, SE1

I appear to have had some sort of mental and visual impairment when it comes to The Table. It's been one of those lunchtime spots that I'd always meant to look out for and for a couple of years every time I looked at the Time Out cheap eats section I'd remind myself to go. When I finally mustered the energy I was astounded to find that it was where it was. I'd been staring at the place eating Tortilla burritos for months and never twigged. The burritos aren’t THAT good so I probably need an eye test.

First off, a bit of a gripe about communal tables. It's all very 1998 and frankly, bloody annoying. One of a party of prattling drama therapists stole my flat white and someone was conducting an interview with an enormous laptop to my left. Listening to someone sell themselves is a bit like hearing them talk dirty, embarrassing and should never be done over a sausage casserole. It's odd, since in some places it seems to work rather well. Noodle bars and the like seem to be able to seat people happily in rows. Slurping noodles and accidently pinging dim sum into a strangers lap is a perfectly acceptable way to eat. At lunchtime over a sarnie and a coffee, it feels like an intrusion. Also, the staff got a bit confused as they thought as I was sitting NEXT to someone I must surely know them and indeed, pay for their coffee.

That said, I rather like it. It's cheerful place, full of clean lines and simple food. The lunchtime wrapped sandwiches are a nice way to grab a quick bite and the mains are hearty and well made.  Rotating specials and a regular pasta dish make for a satisfying lunchtime if you leave it a bit later and avoid the crowds. It's become my local late lunch spot of choice, though I will occasionally revert back to stuffing a shredded pork burrito into my face when duty calls.