So, now that pricey power lunches are so over, what's the alternative? And before anyone suggests messing about with pitta bread, olives and feta at 7am, forget it.

No, if we can't get our consumer fix in other ways, the least we can treat ourselves to, surely, is a gourmet sarnie that wasn't scrabbled together with our own clumsy fingers.

If you're lucky enough to work near Borough Market you'll probably already know that the grilled chorizo and rocket and sandwich from Tapas Brindisa is a thing of legend. Meanwhile, on Thursday, the first Bread Boutique launches in Duke of York Square, providing ladies who lunch (but are cutting back on Daphne's) with brie, fig and bay leaf jam on fruit loaf or roast beef, sorrel and horseradish on rye.

But it's in the city where there seems to be the biggest flurry of epicurean sandwich action. Barny Stoppard, son of super-thesp Tom, has opened Barny's Place in the Broadgate Circle, offering a range of breakfast rolls - including smoked tofu scramble - and lunchtime treats like Italian sausage with caramelised onions and vine tomatoes, and grilled halloumi with piquillo pepper and fresh pesto.

As if that wasn't enough, next week, a third Piada (winner of the British Sandwich Association's Best Independent Sandwich Bar 2008) opens in the square mile to fulfill those stuffed Italian flatbread cravings.

And not a limp lettuce leaf in sight.