Fast cultural lunch in Covent Garden

I had just over an hour between meetings in Covent Garden today. Nice. I was tempted to browse the shops and pass the time with the multitude of street entertainers in the midst of all the tourists and summer holiday teens but decided to go for some culture (of sorts) – at high speed.

First off, needing some sustenance (but not too much as I am required to wear a bikini soon) I decided to eat a healthy Ceasar salad at the café in the Royal Opera House. The Floral Hall was closed so it was a bit of a trek up the lifts and along the corridors but it was well worth it. A fabulous view of the sun shining periodically through that great glass ceiling and so much space I felt like royalty. The café offers all manner of light bites from the charcuterie although I opted for a Ceasar salad (without the croutons – although the crispy streaky bacon was a bit of surprise and probably blew my calorie/fat intake for the week – and I resisted eating the yummy looking bread and butter that accompanied it) and freshly squeezed juice (£9.75 in total). Small point of reference to the caterers – eating salad smothered in dressing from an albeit beautiful asymmetric dish is no mean feat. The staff were unbelievably courteous and helpful and very efficient, sending me off with my number tag so that they could bring my lunch to where I sat. What a fabulous retreat from the crowds outside! And the air conditioning meant that I really did feel thoroughly chilled. Why don’t more people venture here for a fast lunch?

So I trotted out of the ROH and popped into the controversial Banksy exhibition (free entry provided by Covent Garden London and open between 10am and 8pm). It’s located in the former home of the Theatre Museum (where has that gone please?) – a great space absolutely suited to a Banksy exhibition – rough floors, high ceilings, scruffy white painted brick work, loads of supporting column/pillars and some lovely rounded art-deco flavoured railings. There was a predominance of rat images – parachuting, breaking locks, painting. I loved the descriptions “Spray paint on brick” and “Spray paint on Glastonbury toilet door.” Is it authentic? Is graffiti art? Who cares? - The wry, cynical humour can’t fail to put a smile on your face. Hurry along now – it finishes on 25th July.

With a few minutes left I managed to catch a singer in the lower ground floor space near The Crusting Pipe belt out a pretty good rendition of Delibe’s Lakme’s Flower Duet (better known by most as the British Airways advert tune) – amazing - and browsed a couple of the antiques stalls in Jubilee Market.

Culture. Fast. Love it.