The City's Leadenhall Street was once home to Yum Som, a super salad spot that’s now sadly closed. Can the wholesome Farmer J fill its boots? Not quite yet.
That’s not to say Farmer J is without merit: the concept, certainly, is worthy enough, and the staff are super efficient. Food is presented on a cardboard version of an old-fashioned, compartmentalised lunch tray. First, pick a protein: the harissa chicken was tender but could have done with more kick, while the tofu was woefully bland. These sit on spinach, brown rice or freekeh, a fluffy super-grain. The other two sections are given over to sides: roasted beets were nicely sweet and grilled broccoli with tahini was tasty enough, but the cauliflower was disappointing and the slaw seemed to be seasoned largely with vinegar. The green smoothie might have resembled a glass of pesto, but it was fresh and delicious, packed with mint and filling enough to constitute a lunch on its own.
Farmer J is good value and the food is fine – but if the kitchen worked on amping up the flavours it could be excellent.