Pod

Having enjoyed a wonderful selection of luxury salads at several independent cafes for my last few lunches I thought I’d better not spoil myself too much and save some money by visiting one of the many chain outlets on Great Eastern Street for a change. There they all are, Itsu, Pod, Eat and Pret all lined up next to each other with Apostrophe across the road.
I had never tried a Pod before, so opted for what seemed the most exotic option. While the salad was a good portion and semi-​interesting for a mass-​produced and pre-​packed option (quinoa and pomegranate have become ubiquitous), it was actually not such good value compared to the freshly prepared choices nearby. Even with the dressing it wasn’t quite exciting enough to make me feel good about more than a fiver to sit in an anonymous fast food outlet overlooking heavy traffic.
Next time, I happily pay a couple of quid more again for a unique selection in more atmospheric surroundings — served on a proper plate.