The second thing I noticed once we had sat down to eat in the super busy and sunlit restaurant Granger and co was that the other diners were almost exclusively female.
The first had been how wonderful the new architecture was and how attractive the communal spaces were in this recently developed area of Kings Cross. The effect was a harmonious blend of old and new, brick, glass and steel along tree-lined avenues, walkways and squares.
Back inside it was Saturday lunchtime and a gentle hum of happiness buzzed over the diners. I had met my Beloved Sis and Little Miss for lunch and my sister's choice was to try the fine-dining Aussie chain Granger and Co, that began life in Sydney's sunny Darling Harbour.
For a moment I was transported back to the laid back cool I had loved in Bondi. A setting I was quite happy to return to and so I was just as keen to try out my sister's suggestion as she was.
Outside, the restaurant was bathed in glorious sunshine, perfectly complementing the relaxed vibe we were looking for, while inside light flooded in through enormous glass windows.
On the menu was a high number of female friendly options: salmon, courgette and a number of curious sounding veg all prepared and cooked in a variety of ways.
The mains arrived and the food looked as colourful and expertly plated as ladies who (occasionally) lunch could ask for. Around us sat ladies and the odd gent enjoying lunchtime glasses of wine while people behind us sat along the bar.
Meanwhile, on Little Miss's request we played a game of faces, which is lots of fun with a five year old niece. A judge is nominated, the judge then chooses a facial expression and the contestants take it in turns to pull a face and the best one wins.
My order arrived in the middle of my best-discombobulated face, which soon turned to delight as a feast of courgette fritters, halloumi, siyez and shredded kale salad with zhoug was placed in front of me. My sister had gone for the raw tuna and avocado poke, brown rice, cherry tomatoes, pickled cucumber and sesame. Little Miss had parmesan crumbed chicken schnitzel, creamed corn and fennel slaw with a side of chips.
My sis loved her raw tuna and could not have been more pleased, Little Miss and I really enjoyed ours too. Overall the taste that stood out for me was the creamed corn that accompanied the chicken, it was absolutely delicious.
Our meal of three mains, a side, drinks plus service charge came to £67.
Granger and Co, Stanley Building 7 Pancras Square, London N1C 4AG
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