Theatre land is full of restaurants and they come and go pretty quickly, reflecting the variable standard and value of their fare. Med Kitchen has been in place at Cambridge Circus just over a year and should be a stayer - it has a lot to offer both the local worker and the casual tourist. There are attractive tables outside, far enough from the traffic to avoid asphyxiation, and a cool, spacious interior with tables far enough apart to allow for private conversation. The waiters are relaxed, helpful and friendly, and the food's good - in fact it all sounds so good it's tricky to make a choice.

Although one of a small chain of establishments all the food is prepared on the premises, and freshness of produce is a main theme. Starters (£4.95 - £7.95) include such mouth-watering options as chargrilled fresh calamari with chilli, rocket and lemon - thoroughly enjoyed by my companion - and crumbled goat's cheese, toasted pine nuts, rocket and asian pear salad. Spicy moroccan lamb sausages with tzatziki sounded delicious too, as did the mixed platters for two: one Italian-based, with salami and prosciutto, beans, shallots, parmesan and warm italian bread, the other Greek based with the usual suspects and pitta.

The staff are very willing to turn one of the starters into a main course, just in case you can't find something to tempt you from the next section of the menu - but that's not very likely. There are some imaginative salads (£9.95 - £11.95) - I really wanted to try shredded duck salad with cinnamon plums, mostly because I just can't imagine what that will taste like. And there are pasta dishes, from a humble spaghetti with a home made tomato and basil sauce (£6.95) to an exotic linguini with tiger prawns and asparagus in white wine, chili, garlic and lemon (£11.95).

But we were fixated on the real main courses, most of which come accompanied by a huge wooden bowl of fries (good, though they could have been a bit crisper). The naked lamb burger with a tuscan salad of tomato, cucumber, black olives, red onion and coriander (£9.95) is thoroughly recommended; so too the homemade salmon fishcake with tzatziki and rocket (£10.95). The award-winning, properly hung Scottish beef is something I need to try on my next visit, as it sounds heavenly and is also superb value at £9.95 for an 8oz steakburger or £16.45 for a rib-eye steak.

There's also a section entitled 'light meals', though how eggs benedict with smoked ham and hollandaise sauce, served with fries, could be considered light is anybody's guess... great for brunch though.

We didn't make it to puddings (£5.50), but one day I will save space for orange and Cointreau chocolate pot... or the raspberry crème brulée...

There's a good selection of interesting wines starting at a very reasonable £14.50 per bottle, with prosecco available by the glass for £4.95. For such a position in central London I rate that as very good value indeed. Even better, you can have a two course lunch or pre-theatre meal for £13.50.

After many disappointing experiences in London, where so many restaurants compare so badly with those in other European cities, Med Kitchen restores my faith. Well chosen dishes, properly prepared, decently priced and served with a smile. You can't ask more than that.