This is how to do an elegant lunch! You walk off busy Commercial Street into Redfins - the posh eating area of the Gambier Hotel - a quiet large room with tables set well apart and a scattering of ladies-who-lunch chatting: a waiter approaches immediately and offers you a nicely set table - yes, it's a paper tablecloth but for lunch that's OK: I'm going to get baguette crumbs all over it anyway.
The carafe of water and glasses appear without me asking and menus are left for a quick perusal. The risottos look interesting, but it's a hot day so a roast chicken baguette appeals and a nice glass of Di Giorgio chardonnay, not too wooded. There's barely time for a sip and the baguette arrives along with partner's leg ham focaccia, both accompanied by shoe-string chips. I can take or leave the chips - actually I took them - but both sandwiches are terrific: crunchy baguette crust and soft inside with plenty of proper roast chicken (not that pressed stuff) moistened with mayo and lettuce. The focaccia has been grilled which flattens it nicely to something you can fit in your mouth - not like the fat stodge that passes for focaccia across the road.
Two lattes later and we're out of there in 40 minutes, much refreshed by a delicious quick lunch with fast friendly service. Only one minor quibble about the blackboard specials: crayfish thermidor is not spelled "thermador".
10/10 for Redfins lunch!
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