Wholesome fare in-store

As with its homewares, Habitat has always led the field when it comes to in-store cafés. The ravishing new store in Regent Street has a little oasis up top, in the form of Nouveauté.

I had expected something a little swankier than this slightly perfunctory space - it's designed by Tom Dixon, after all. With its blocky, fibreglass furniture and lack of views, it looks like the kind of hastily set-up café you get at large trade shows.

But the food - albeit the usual lunchtime snacks/sandwiches/salads fare - is a few notches up from your regular in-store outlet. The menu changes daily, so you might find fat, Spanish tortillas, wobbly quiches and some splendid sandwiches such as baked ham with Keens cheddar and home-made chutney.

We ate some squeakily fresh salads: crunchy beans with piquant feta, lemon and Parmesan, and couscous with pepper and olives; a Famous-Five-tastic egg and dense brown bread sarnie; homemade lemonade; freshly crushed watermelon and strawberry smoothie; and a home-made berry muffin.

Independent owners Sally Coyle and Simon Carey "pitched against the big boys" to make their mark in the space, and their obvious enthusiasm is shared by the young, helpful staff. Maybe Nouveauté isn't worth going out of your way for but, after a hard morning's candelabra shopping, it might be just the ticket.

Nouveauté
121 Regent Street, W1