Zucca- Bermondsey, London

184 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3DT
http://www.zuccalondon.com/

Having been claimed one of the best Italian restaurants in London and its location on one of my favourite streets,  it was only a matter of time before I popped in to make a reservation at Zucca. Night after night it is deservingly booked up; the menu is modern, reasonably priced and of a very high standard. We dived into an appetizing starter selection of ‘Zucca friti’, broccoli with ricotta and mozzarella balls…all very good. Pasta was on the menu for most of us…and the mushroom tagliatelle was the creamy, buttery, heavenly, ‘melt in your mouth’ indulgence I was hoping for.

Inside Zucca the décor is minimal…the white walls and crisp white tablecloths are offset by splashes of abstract art and colorful tea-light holders. A completely open kitchen spans the length of the restaurant and opposite is a wall of windows- allowing you to relax and watch the world go by on charming Bermondsey Street.

Gallipoli Bazaar- Angel, London

107 Upper Street, London, N1 1QN
http://cafegallipoli.com/bazaar

Quite unusually, Gallipoli has 3 different Turkish & Lebanese restaurants, all positioned within a few minutes walk from each other on Upper Street. Walking into the Bazaar branch at number 107 is like walking into an Aladdin’s cave of treasures…gold framed mirrors and colourful plates hang against  vibrant red walls and a number of glistening and intricate chandeliers suspend from the ceiling. Velvet seats scattered with an array of soft cushions surround candle-lit tables, making this restaurant cosy and inviting. Save your appetite and tuck into the full mezze platter at £11.95 each- a feast of lamb, guvec, mitite, kofte, chicken, guvec, dolma, falafel, borek, hommus, cacik, kisir, bakla and borulce!

Lantana- Fitzrovia, London

13 Charlotte Place, London, W1T 1SN
http://www.lantanacafe.co.uk/

Lantana is a lively little café tucked away down Charlotte Place, just off Goodge Street. The interior is light and bright, the focal point a beautiful sketch of an Australian lantana flowering plant which expands across the entire rear wall. An Australian feel is further represented in this space with its laid back environment, simple but delicious menu and focus on fantastic coffee. Choices on the brunch menu include 'toasted banana bread with spiced mascarpone and fresh passionfruit' (divine!) and 'Scottish smoked salmon with dill pancakes, horseradish crème fraiche and rocket, spring onion and caper salad.' You might have to queue but it will be worth it.

 

Burger & Lobster- Soho, London

36 Dean Street, Soho, London, W1D 4PS
http://burgerandlobster.com/

The opening of a second Burger & Lobster, this branch in Soho, has created enough of a buzz to make waiting 2 hours for a table with only 3 options on the menu seem completely normal. Priced at £20 each, the burger, lobster and lobster roll- all served with fries and a side salad- make up the entirety of the menu. To be fair, it is completely worth it; the quality and quantity of the food is excellent. Banish any fears of being served a teeny portion of the shell fish- a whole lobster accompanied with lemon garlic butter and a pair of crackers, make the £20 price tag exceptional value. 

Red leather booths, exposed brick and copper conduit, wooden panelled walls and a lengthy bar lined with low-hanging black lights create a relaxed interior to compliment such an energetic and busy atmosphere. One complaint only; the service being a little too speedy...most likely an effort to accommodate the growing queue of customers hopefully putting their names down at the door.

Bananaman- Greenwich Market, London

Greenwich Market, Greenwich, SE10 9HY

http://www.shopgreenwich.co.uk/greenwich-market

Greenwich Market is home to dozens of interesting stalls...freshly-ground coffee, eco-friendly jewellery, vintage dresses, French crepes, hand-made cards, noodles & dim sum, silk scarves and wooden paintings to name but a few. One particularly worth a visit for a (very slightly) healthy treat is Bananaman, a stall serving bananas drizzled in white, milk and dark Belgian chocolate and topped with flaked almonds, marshmallows and crushed hazelnuts.  However aesthetically pleasing, it didn't last long...