Debra Aspinall visits No5 London End, Beaconsfield for some top-notch comfort food...

Like all restaurants up and down the land, No5 London End, Beaconsfield had the wind taken out of its sails when the lockdown struck.

Unlike many restaurants it quickly adapted and set itself up as a deli and greengrocery shop selling everything from fresh fruit and veg, to homemade pastries, cheeses, cookies, bread and their signature Marmite butter.

Fans of their delicious burgers could pop in and collect them via their takeaway service. The team’s lively social media postings kept a steady, faithful clientele coming to the door.

As soon as they were allowed, they opened their doors again and took part in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme and, to keep up the momentum this created, they are now offering a 25 per cent discount to lunchtime diners on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in September (up to £5 off per person).

Table numbers are reduced, although some outside tables will be used on finer Autumnal days, so I urge you to book now to avoid disappointment.

This is said as I sit here happily digesting my simply delicious lunch there. It started on a high with crispy baby squid which was a generous nine or ten crispy golden battered pieces of the most tender squid served on a bed of toasted (roasted?) sweetcorn, chilli, lime and spring onions in a light creamy dressing. Totally scrumptious.

My colleague opted for the chicken liver parfait on sourdough with little blobs of pickled plum. It was soft, tasty and a lovely start to the meal.

Next for me was the beef brisket on sourdough. The melt-in-the-mouth beef was topped with grilled Emmental cheese and decorated with mustard mayonnaise and tiny jewels of pickles. The flavours combined beautifully: sourness, sweetness and creaminess in one. It came with fries which made the whole thing quite a substantial feast.

Across the table my colleague was heaping praise on her Cornish sea bream fillet which sat on a bed of perfectly braised leeks in a creamy lovage sauce and new potatoes.

Far too full for a dessert each we opted to share a portion of hot brioche donuts with smoked sea salt caramel – a tried and tested combo imported from Stateside and as good as any served on their east coast (and believe me I‘ve tried many).

No5 has a very youthful vibe about it. The staff are friendly and enthusiastic, the décor is industrial chic and the menu is very bistro/comfort food with some lovely original and artistic touches from the chefs.

A fun place for a lunch and a sophisticated feel for the evenings, it’s deservedly becoming Beaconsfield’s go-to venue.

To book go to www.no5londonend.co.uk or call 01494 355500.