Caravan Restaurant & Bar- Farringdon, London

11-13 Exmouth Market, London, EC1R 4QD
restaurant@caravanonexmouth.co.uk

Caravan Restaurant & Bar is Farringdon's answer to a perfect weekend brunch; the atmosphere is relaxed, the décor modest but stylish and the menu is fantastic. If choosing becomes an issue, the cornbread French toast, bacon, rocket & avocado is amazing.  Try a delicious pre-prosecco flat white from the 12-kilo coffee roaster that was installed in the basement- which makes a feature of the downstairs space available for private hire while creating a wonderful aroma around the whole restaurant. Weather permitting, it’s lovely to get a table on the pavement outside as this restaurant sits at the leafy end of Exmouth market. In addition, the all day menu is known for being particularly inventive and given the buzzing and packed interior every evening I pass, it’s only a matter of time until I’m back to try it for dinner.

Kettner’s Restaurant and Champagne Bar- Soho, London

29 Romilly Street, Soho, London, W1D 5HP
http://www.kettners.com/

Originally a Georgian townhouse and first opened as a restaurant in 1867, Kettner’s is an ideal choice for affordable elegance.  Taupe coloured walls lined with ornate mirrors envelop a lively dining area-  where velvet seating, a marble bar and a large sparkling chandelier add to this glamorous interior. A beautiful white piano plays live music from Tuesday to Saturday, further complimenting the ambient 1930s theme.

Located in the hustle and bustle of busy Soho, there are a number of well-priced set menus (including the pre and post theatre menus) while the brasserie menu is diverse in its choice and cost. The sweet potato and mushroom wellington is a lovely veggie dish.

Novikov- Mayfair, London

50a Berkeley Street, Mayfair, London, WIJ 8HA
http://www.novikovrestaurant.co.uk/asian.html

For a special occasion or one where you won’t mind your wallet taking a bit of a hammering…try Novikov, an exceptionally trendy west-London restaurant serving exquisite Asian cuisine.

Every dish we ordered was a little taste of heaven and beautifully presented. Our edamame with sea salt, fried dim sum, and tuna tartar starter dishes were delicious. The warm crispy duck salad with green apple & pecking dressing turned out to be my favourite of the evening and the yuzo scented black cod just melts in your mouth. Our dessert platter (here I will mention I was dining with 3 others) came out on a board from which a carpet of dry ice smoke was descending…talk about effort.

A huge floral centerpiece is a main focal point within this natural interior- made up of stone, wood and leather. The kitchen is completely visible through glass walls, in front of which sit a colourful array of fresh vegetables and chilled seafood where customers have the option to pick what they want and how they want it cooked.

The increasing chatter of diners as the night goes on against a constant of ambient tunes provides a fantastic atmosphere you’ll want to return to.