Holloway Road. I know, yuck! The smog clenching its buttocks tightly around you, the beeping haze of cars and bendy buses, the mardy cyclists who'll shout at your dog just for being alive.

But wait, come back. Holloway Road's quite good, actually. Especially if you're a foodie with your fingers in your pocket.

There's one of the oldest Italian caffs in London, Trevi, up near Highbury station; whilst for more Eastern flavours try the budget, award-winning Korean restaurant Bu-San (as endorsed by Gilbert and George but currently closed for refurbishments).

And now - cripes! - a slinky little deli has opened round the corner from Holloway Road antiques parlour extraordinaire Ooh La La (as featured in Notes On a Scandal). It goes by the name of Le Péché Mignon, and is a tiny French "epicerie" and café, complete with farmhouse table, around which you can perch, make a new friend, and munch a butternut squash quiche or salade chevre.