The Modern Pantry

47-48 St John's Square, Clerkenwell, Greater London

On sunny mornings, the duck egg-hued interior of this Clerkenwell restaurant is buzzing with young families and groups of friends. Canadian-born, New Zealand-raised Anna Hansen’s cooking is full of exotic influences, from a sugar-cured New Caledonian prawn omelette with smoked chilli sambal to coconut and cassava waffles. Passionfruit smoothies appear on most tables, but, for something stronger, the Japanese Mary is a twist on the classic, replacing Tabasco with wasabi. Pastries, topped with luscious kumquat marmalade, are essential.