Just across the road from my office, Manicomio is one of my favourite places to eat in the City* - deliciously authentic Italian coffee (a temptation I give in to a couple of mornings a week), an incredible array of takeaway salads and hot dishes at lunchtimes [get there early to avoid the inevitable queues!], 'fancier' dine-in offerings in the airy ground floor cafe (perfect for a girly lunch), and an excellent selection of wines for a post-work drink. There's also a restaurant upstairs - although this is somewhat out of my price range...
On a quiet side street, sheltered from the road by a 'waterfall-wall' installation, Manicomio is light and airy, with high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling french windows, and a pleasant outdoor area (small white tables topped with little vases of flowers - a lovely spot to soak up the sun over a meal or a drink).
In addition to the extensive take-away and eat-in options, Manicomio sells a variety of Italian deli products, including pastas, sweets, olive oils, and cheeses. While these are all quite pricey, it definitely gives you something to look at in the queue, and, at a pinch, can form the basis for a last-minute gift (for something a bit more original than the standard Hotel Chocolat selection).
*There's also a nice branch in Chelsea, just off King's Road near the Saatchi Gallery
