Jessica Alba takes sightseeing ride around the capital in a black cab after a leisurely lunch with her friend

PUBLISHED: 14:37 EST, 29 May 2012 | UPDATED: 14:38 EST, 29 May 2012

It's not very often we get to welcome Jessica Alba to these shores and our capital city.

So was lovely to see the actress out and about in London today as she arrived in the UK for tonight's Glamour Women of the Year Awards.

And if it hadn't been for the cameras, Miss Alba would have probably gone unnoticed as she was almost unrecognisable in her casual attire as she and her friend enjoyed their day out round the city.

Off to see the sights: Jessica Alba and her friend jump in a black cab to see the sights of London after having lunch

The Fantastic Four star was snapped leaving celebrity hang-out Sketch after some fancy French cuisine for lunch.

She and her friend, make-up artist Lauren Anderson, then left the Mayfair eatery and were spotted hailing a cab to Trafalgar Square to take in some of the famous sights of the city.

Hollywood comes to town: For a A-list actress, Jessica was almost unrecognisabe in her casual attire

Hollywood comes to town: For a A-list actress, Jessica was almost unrecogni! sabe in her casual attire

There's one! Jessica spots a black can as she and her make-up artist friend Lauren go to hail it for a tour round the city

Although she was dressed down for a leisurely day around the capital, any Hollywood star can pull off casual and make it look chic, which is exactly what Jessica did.

She wore grey skinny jeans which were decorated with stars and pointy black studded flats and teamed that with a lime green T-shirt and black waistcoat and a bright orange handbag.

Hello goodbye: Jessica flashed her winning smile at the cameras before heading off into town

Lauren also opted for bright orange but on the sandals on her feet which she teamed with black and white shorts and a white vest top.

Jessica and Lauren are guests at tonight's Glamour awards which they are in the capital for and Tweeted and photo of themselves on their way.

Stunning: Jessica ditched the casual att! ire for a look worthy of any red carpet as she attended the Glamour Woman of the Year Awards

But not before Jessica managed an online call to her husband Cash Warren and their two daughters Honor and Haven having missed yesterday's Memorial Day holiday in the US.

And she wrote on her Facebook page: 'Heading to the Glamour Awards - successfully face timed w Cash & Honor before I jumped in the car... It's only been a day but I miss my babes!'