At Toast E.D., it's all about the food and the wine. The decor is stripped back to bare brick walls and functional furniture. On a Friday and Saturday evening, the dining rooms are usually overflowing, but you might get a seat at the bar. Although the quirky and unusual combinations on the daily changing menu may not look very appealing, give it a go and you will probably be pleasantly surprised. The chatty and knowledgeable serving staff advise you'll need two or three dishes (about £4-£18 apiece). Duck hearts with polenta and watercress is full of flavour, while the lamb shoulder with lentils and yoghurt is a lovely dish. Lamb, anchovies and cabbage also make for a delicious combination in the hands of the Toast E.D. chefs, but the partridge and butternut squash is less exciting. Moreover, the braised red cabbage (£5) with pumpkin butter is a bit too sweet. There is a lengthy and imaginative wine list that caters to most tastes and wallets, but the house wines are unusually good. The smooth Syrah/Grenache 2013, Estézargues, Cotes du Rhone, is great value at £14.55 for 750ml or £9.70 for 500ml. You'll enjoy being Toasted E.D. 8/10
