The Hardware Societe

The name sounds clubby, but there are no leather armchairs at this pint-sized French-Spanish bistro. Instead, people mill about in the street, waiting to squeeze onto the communal table or along the bar piled high with the day's house-made cakes, empanadas and pies. Breakfast is an honour board of eye-candy, such as chunky slices of fried brioche with passionfruit curd and bircher muesli with blueberry syrup. Lunch might be scallops on milky smooth parsnip puree with finely shaved fennel and cucumber salad, or a more rustic chicken quarter in tomato stew with diced potatoes. Keen service makes everyone feel like a member.