The Brass Rail, London W.1.

Having spent many years in the States I became an aficionado of salt beef sandwiches – but until I discovered the Brass Rail café  on the ground floor in Selfridges, a very upmarket department store in London, I never found any that met myexpectations either in the UK or France. Even the Jewish Quarter in Paris didn’t come up trumps!

But the Brass Rail does. The sandwiches are made in a variety of breads: rye, wholemeal, white or focaccia, and are stacked high with slices of salt beef which is cut from a large joint right in front of you by the deft chefs. You can add mustard or horseradish, or both, plus a large sweet gherkin which is sliced finely alongside. The regular size sandwich is £8.95 but you can choose a larger or smaller version.

A cold beer, and the picture is complete!

One of my favourite places in London –no fuss, no muss, just great.