London The City of London

Many of the culinary offerings in the City of London are geared toward businessmen (expensive) and tourists (expensive, but not very good). Fortunately, there are a few promising options for the budget traveler.

Spianata, 73a Watling St. (020 7236 3666; www.spianata.com) Enjoy the delicious taste of Italy in every sandwich served on Spianata's freshly baked bread. The businessmen in the city know that some of the best sandwiches and pizzas in the city are served at this authentically Italian shop, so arrive before the peak lunch hour. St. Paul’s. Go down Cheapside away from St. Paul’s Cathedral; turn right at Bread St. and left at Watling St. Sandwiches £3.25-4; pizza £1.60 cold, £1.90 hot. Open M-F 7:30am-3:30pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese 145 Fleet St., down Wine Office Ct. The current Cheese was built in 1667, but a pub has been in its current location since 1538. Charles Dickens and Samuel Johnson, author of the first dictionary (a copy is upstairs), frequented the pub. Despite its history, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese remains a personable, old-timey watering hole, serving traditional English "fayre" alongside their phenomenally cheap and excellent Samuel Smith brews from Yorkshire. If you explore the downstairs dining room, be wary of the sign that says "mind your head." They mean it. St. Paul’s. Take a right on New Change, a right onto Cannon St. which becomes St. Paul’s Churchyard, Ludgate Hill and then Fleet St. Entrees £9.95-11.95; bangers and mash £3.50. Shots £1.89-2.20; ½ pint of lager £1.14; pint of lager £2.27; ½ pint of ale £1; pint of ale 1.99. M-Sa 11am-11pm, Su 11am-6pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.

Cafe Below Underneath St. Mary-Le-Bow, in Crypt (020 7329 0789; www.cafebelow.co.uk) Cafe Below gives those of us alive and kickin' reason to visit the crypt. The cafe serves up delicious, wholesome breakfast, lunch and dinner to visitors and non-visitors alike. With a beautiful dining room that takes full advantage of the church's fantastic architecture, Cafe Below provides food that's uniquely home-made at reasonable prices. St. Paul. Go down Cheapside with your back to St. Paul’s Cathedral. Breakfast, £4.50-5, lunch £7.50-8.50, dinner £10.50. Take-away tends to be roughly £1 less. M-F 7:30am-9pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.

S and M, 28 Leadenhall Mkt. (020 7626 6646; www.sandmcafe.co.uk ) S and M will give you serious pleasure. We're both talking about sausage and mash, right? Dedicated to the preservation of British cuisine, S and M serves authentic British breakfasts in addition to their various varieties of sausage and mash. It gets crowded at lunch, so if you're going to do S and M, come early. Bank. Walk down Cornhill towards Leaden Hall St. Breakfast from £3.25, S and M dishes £8.50-8.95, entrees £8.95-9.50. Open M-Tu 8am-3pm, W-Th 8am-9pm, F 8am-3pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.