Tucked away as a serene escape from the city’s relentless pace, A Normal Day suggests a routine simplicity, yet the experience is anything but. It takes the often-predictable concept of all-day dining and elevates it through imaginative pairings and a genuine sense of culinary craft.
The Ambience
Stepping inside, the first thing that strikes you is how the space manages to be both polished and relaxed. It avoids the stiff formality often found in the city’s higher-end districts, opting instead for an interior that feels warm, airy, and thoughtfully designed. Whether you are settling in for a quick professional lunch or a lingering midday meal, the vibe is effortlessly inviting, a perfect backdrop for a menu that promises a few surprises.
The Food and Drink
We started the meal with their signature Date Bonbons, a dish that immediately signals the kitchen’s creativity. Bonbon-shaped spread of rich French butter and Medjool dates that was paired with cinnamon-dusted brioche bread toast, this bite was a revelation.
For something lighter, the Endives Salad offered a crisp, refreshing bite, topped with pear slices, caramelised spicy hazelnuts and macadamias and drizzled with honey mustard dressing. We also couldn’t resist the Foul Madames dip, served with warm, fragrant zaatar pizza bread, a comforting nod to regional flavours executed with finesse.
For the main course, the 17-layer Lasagna is an absolute must-order. Built with tender lamb bolognese, the slice is plated with a generous topping of parmigiano and a side of pesto that adds a fresh, herbaceous lift to the rich dish. Opposite this sat the Chicken Schnitzel, golden and crisp, accompanied by a house-made coleslaw and a dollop of herbed butter that melted into the hot crust. Rather than opting for their dessert option (which we’ve heard are top-notch), we chose to linger over their refreshing signature mocktails.
The standout, and the drink we’d go back for alone, is the mocktail made with pickle juice (yes, you read it right). It is a daring yet balanced concoction: sweet, spicy, and sour all at once. It’s exactly the kind of refreshing, complex drink that cleanses the palate after such a hearty meal.
The Verdict
A Normal Day succeeds because it doesn’t try to overcomplicate the bistro experience; it simply perfects it. With a menu that offers clever twists on familiar favourites and a setting that encourages you to slow down, it is a brilliant addition to the local dining scene. If this is what a “normal day” looks like here, we’ll be frequenting it quite often, with their breakfast menu (think Steak & Egg, Mushroom Toast, Crepes) already at the top of our list for the next visit.
