The vaulting of the crypt is impressive, the classical music playing in the background relaxing. And where else can you eat lunch with Nell Gwyn (who is buried somewhere beneath the floor)?

Food is served cafeteria style, and includes soup, sandwiches, and several à la carte hot entrées and sides. The best value is the soup-bread-and-dessert special for £5.

The food isn't gourmet, but the soup of the day is homemade, and the apple crumble with ubiquitous custard is comforting and delicious. You can also get tea, a scone, and jam for £3. In short, it's all tasty, filling, and (by London standards) downright cheap.

To get there, take the Underground to the Leicester Square stop and follow Charing Cross Road to Trafalgar Square. St. Martin in the Fields is the imposing gray stone church that greets you as you enter the square; the entrance to the cafe is on the far side of the church, closest to Whitehall.

After a long morning at the National Gallery, this time viewing the Madam de Pompadour Exhibit, we hurdled all the construction surrounding the north side of Trafalgar Sq. and headed for the Crypt. It is located literally in the crypt of the church of St. Martin in the Field. Meals are served cafeteria style and things move along very quickly here. Take the time to check the menu board before you get in line because you will immediately have to make your choice. Patience is in short supply here and I have never been here when it wasn’t busy.

The offering the day we were there was Irish Stew (made with beef) and turkey escalope. The soup was potato and spring green vegetables. The soup is served with a nice hunk of rustic grainy bread and butter. There was a special of soup and dessert for 4.50pds . I had the soup and the apple crumble covered with a large scoop of custard. Al chose the beef stew and he had the bread and butter pudding with custard. The beef in the stew was on the bone and according to Al more bone than meat.

There is a case full of fresh sandwiches all served on a wonderful variety of rustic breads. After I had ordered my meal I noticed that they had a rhubarb dessert that I wished I had ordered but it was to late. You can get a beer as you move along the line or there is a case of soda and water to help yourself from. Of course coffee and tea can also be ordered.

After you pay you head for a bar to pickup your silverware, napkin, butter and condiments. Finding a table can be problematic at times but we found two near each other. All the food was delicious and the desserts are always a highlight. The custard sauce here is excellent. I wish I felt comfortable lingering here but it is just too popular.

After you finish eating you can choose to browse in their very nice gift shop or if you are feeling adventurous you can do a brass rubbing. They have a nice selection of brasses and we have done them here several times, they make nice gifts and are easy to transport.

Take the Bakerloo or Northern line to Charing Cross or take the 11 bus from Victoria Station.

There is also a brass rubbing center in the basement along with a small gift shop. They have a market outside, but it''s not as good as other markets.

(Brass rubbing for those who don''t know -- they have a selection of "pictures" with the picture raised, for example a saint or boat or church. Then you take a piece of heavy construction paper and wax/metallic crayon and you rub the pictures and transfer it to the paper and take that home as a souvenir.