The Blueprint Café- Butler's Warf, London

Design Museum, SE1 2YD
http://www.blueprintcafe.co.uk

Located on the first floor of the design Museum, The Blueprint Café offers a modern European menu with a picturesque postcard view of Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, The Gherkin and across the Thames to the old brick warehouses and blue balconies of Wapping. 

Head chef Mark Jarvis recently joined from Michelin-starred Texture Restaurant and  his skill and creativity were apparent in the dishes we chose on Easter Sunday. To start, a light and flavourful cheddar soufflé with pickled celeriac and spiced pear. For main, a creamy barley risotto with wild garlic and truffle, topped with strips of charred leek and spinach. 

This restaurant is a lovely choice for lunch; the floor to ceiling windows let floods of light and provide fantastic views. The interior is simple and chic, framed prints hang on the walls and shelves hold a collection of ornate jugs and vases of white flowers. The sunflower yellow canopy adds a splash of colour and the monochrome striped sofas bring a touch of elegance. In the summer, the outdoor terrace is perfect for a pre-dinner drink.

Sketch- West End, London

9 Conduit Street, West End, London
http://sketch.uk.com/afternoon_tea.php

Afternoon tea at Sketch was splendid. This elegant townhouse off Regent Street has five beautifully and creatively designed rooms for opulent drinking and dining. We were sat in the ‘The Glade’; a fantasy -like forest themed space with rich jade walls and  flitting red lasers to mimic dragon flies. Although pricey, the little bites presented before us looked exquisite and the utmost attention to detail had been paid at all opportunities. Atop the egg mayonnaise sandwich was a tiny fried quails egg with caviar, the miniature croque monsieur was tied with ribbon and several of the pastries were decorated with tiny edible flowers. The lemon and basil tartlet and the homemade cinnamon marshmallows were particularly lovely. The toilets in Sketch are always a talking point too; enclosed in individual white eggs beneath a colorful tiled ceiling... even your trip to the bathroom is interesting.

This Bright Field- Bethnal Green, London

268 Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9DA
http://www.thisbrightfield.com

This Bright Field is a relaxed and friendly restaurant, a short walk from Bethnal Green tube station. Known to have reasonably-priced and regularly-changing set menus, we went on a Wednesday night and enjoyed their ‘Pie and Pudding Night’- a choice of pie main courses and pudding desserts for £16 ahead. 

On yet another freezing cold March evening, the warm and hearty chicken, ham hock & leek pie they served up was perfect and we shared an indulgent plate of creamy and calorific mashed potatoes to accompany. Our rhubard crumble pudding with warm custard was a lovely finish. We were brought a carafe of water with sprigs of fresh mint on arrival and the Chilean red we chose was delicious. 

The interior is simple and slightly eclectic...walls are painted taupe, tables and chairs are a wooden mis-match and small jars of colourful fresh flowers dotted the room. With fantastic service and a fresh, affordable and interesting menu, This Bright Field is definitely one for your list.