IT'S ALWAYS good to find any place that looks good - but doesn't take itself too seriously.

Just round the corner from fashionable St Paul's Square in the shadow of the BT Tower, this is a stylish, cheekily-named bar.

The first thing you see on the menu are these words printed in red: 'To the best of our knowledge, NO baboons were harmed during the preparation of these dishes...'.

More importantly, perhaps, is the promise: 'We will endeavour to serve lunchtime customers in 15 minutes'.

That'll be especially true if you park on the city centre side where it's a ridiculous £2.50 per hour to park on Lionel Street (top tip from our friendly barman, Ram: it's cheaper on the St Paul's side).

Open since February after replacing The Tarnished Halo, the bar has a small number of comfortable tables.

Ours overlooked the neighbouring canal which was soon receiving yet more water from the heavens opening above.

The food duly arrived in double quick time and was impressive in terms of quality and presentation.

My friend, Roz, had Fatoush - a 'classic Syrian salad' with strips of duck and a minty theme - while I opted for the 'Red Baboon BLT crispy bacon, iceberg lettuce and sun dried tomatoes'.

Both of us were fully satisfied, especially with a top-quality bowl of chunky chips which were just £1 extra.

Roz said her salad was both light and substantial, while my crispy brown bread sandwiches were arranged with their own smile, plenty of rocket and a few drops of balsamic vinegar.

Before we left, Ram showed us the downstairs room which you can hire out for private parties making this the ideal place for a quiet lunchtime feast or a more boisterous evening out.

Bottoms up!

* The Bill

1 bottle Magners cider £3.20

Half pint of Hoegaarden £1.60

1 Fattoush Salad £6.50

1 BLT £6.50

1 Chips £1.00

Total: £18.80

* The Verdict

PLUS: Food with looks and taste to match - especially the bacon.

MINUS: Lionel Street's city centre parking rates!