It’s no secret that I tend to eat out a lot.

I can’t really blame it on the blog, as TFD started as a way of sharing my culinary tales – rather than the other way around… Well it’s only been getting busier of late, what with visitors pouring into London this summer (or whatever version of summer this is).

Amidst all the flurry of activity (read: shopping), drinks and fine dining, it was quite nice to catch a break with my family recently at the Portman, a smart-casual gastropub in Marylebone from the same folks behind the Running Footman in Mayfair.

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While the ground flour houses an archetypal local pub, the restaurant upstairs is a cheerful and cosy space with soft leather banquettes and heaps of natural sunlight drifting in through the large country-style windows…

Dinner was a hearty and wholesome affair, centred on a vibrant veggie risotto of peas, broad beans and tender asparagus stems.

The salads had a pleasant quality to them too, packed as they were with an array of seasonal vegetables, superfoods, summer cheeses, nuts and seeds. While a portion of sweet-potato wedges were not to be missed – thick cut, roasted to a crisp perfection and sporting a touch of salt for the perfect seasoning.

The burrata was the only disappointment, neither soft not melty – although the sprightly avocado-based dressing did add a creamy dimension.

A bottle of Malbec from the extensive wine list helped wash it all down rather well.

Afters were altogether more exciting. Naturally, we were drawn to the Ferrero Rocher cheesecake…

While scrummy enough, the real star of the show turned out to be the Yorkshire rhubarb and orange crumble, speckled with a kick of ginger and *all* the créme Anglaise poured on top… Such a treat!

All in all, it was an incredibly relaxed evening which although fancy-free, hit that comfort-food spot that I’d been particularly craving on the occasion! #AndThatRhubarbPieThough.

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The Portman, 51 Upper Berkeley Street, Marylebone, London W1H 7QW

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I was hosted by the Portman, but as always all opinions are mine alone.