Much like it’s next door neighbour, Caravan, Grain Store represents the current trends in London food. Careful sourcing of ingredients, simple cooking and an interior that could be one of a hundred restaurants (high tables, funky stools, exposed brickwork, industrial paraphernalia). However, they’ve generated a considerable buzz since opening – is there any substance to the hype?

Arriving without a booking just after 12 they were happy to seat us provided they could have the table back in 90 minutes. Grain Store has a particularly cosmopolitan menu – vegan and vegetarian options abound. I definitely want to come back and try their chefs choice menu – you pay £35 a head and get fed. Brilliant! Sadly that’s not available for lunch/brunch. I opted for their daily special from the josper oven – pommes dauphinois and rabbit.

Served in a cast iron pan, the potatoes were nicely cooked and the rabbit was beautifully tender. I’d have preferred a little more crunch, but otherwise it was a lovely dish – carefully balanced and creamy. The presentation isn’t anything to write home about, but then this is a rustic dish.

I also sampled their pancakes and bacon. The pancakes were impressively thick and very fluffy while the bacon was the perfect balance of savoury and sweet – they could have been a little more generous with the maple syrup though!

Service was accommodating and friendly and they had a happy buzz on a dreary Saturday lunchtime. By early afternoon the queue of people waiting to be seated was testament to their popularity!

If you’re looking for something fun and modern, and especially if you need to cater for those of a vegetarian persuasion, this is an excellent option – despite the cookie cutter environment, they do offer something different.