Monnis has gone through many different guises. There was The Spread Eagle, Elements, Legends, and now Monnis and Mezzo. The cross between the Mediterranean and Tudor character of the decor makes the most of its traditional features and it is hard to believe that this was once a nightclub. Most of the building has been restored to its traditional roots and the entrance is once again the same as how it would have been in the 16th century.

When you walk in you realise that Monnis doesn’t have a large lunch area, but that is one of its charms. The small amount of tables allow the staff to be attentive to the customers’ needs and gives the feeling that both you and Monnis are part of a Mediterranean familyʼs restaurant. This feeling is continued as the owner welcomes you and shows you to your seat, beaming with pride that you have chosen to visit his restaurant. He gives you the impression that he would do anything to make sure you walk out having enjoyed the experience.

The waiter, an older Mediterranean gentleman, really brings Monnis to life. He gives the impression of a man of great dignity and experience, whilst at the same time sharing a joke and making you feel relaxed.

The Monday to Thursday lunchtime menu offers various different starters with warm pitta bread, including houmous, taramasalata, tzatziki and kefdedes. The houmous, my chosen starter, is beautifully prepared with onions and olive oil by Chef Theophani, formerly of LʼAristos.

For the main course I tried a selection of dishes, stifado (beef cooked in a rich sauce of red wine and onions) and the chicken kebab. I recommend having a side order with both of these dishes if you are going to have them for dinner, although both are ample for lunch (but if you are greedy like me then have a side order with lunch as well). The meat in the stifado is plentiful and the sauce a delight. The flavours are not too strong and wonʼt leave your breath smelling when you return home. But for me the jewel in the crown was the chicken kebab. The kebab is not what I expected at all. The chicken has been marinated full of flavours, grilled, placed on a skewer (there isnʼt a hint of chilli sauce in sight) and served with a side salad and, in my greedy case, chips.

The whole Mediterranean family experience is complete upon receiving the bill, as the two courses came to just £9.95. It is as though you are abroad in a Greek restaurant with sterling being at an all time high. The food was really inexpensive and the chicken kebab bursting with flavour. These features combined with the pride and enthusiasm of the owner and the staff, the 16th century building and the price of the food make Monnis a thoroughly worthwhile experience.