Bistrotheque- Bethnal Green, London

23- 27 Wadeson Street, E2 9DR

http://www.bistrotheque.com/

Bistrotheque is an chic restaurant that sits well hidden on a particularly uneventful street off Cambridge Heath Road in Hackney. Delicious brunch dishes include avocado toast, blueberry and mascarpone pancakes or duck hash, mushrooms and poached eggs. There are also more substantial choices like fish and chips with pea puree and tartare sauce, or the cheeseburger with pancetta and caramelised onions. To accompany, brunch cocktails include bellinis, bloody Marys, aperol spritzs and passion fruit caipirinhas. The dining room is quite striking; a vast, white & bright space with an industrial edge yet elegant feel. Painted brick walls, a concrete floor, exposed pipes and drop lighting are refined with white marble tables, a central oval bar and a piano from which soft music plays. This spot has gone back on to my list, this time for dinner as inevitably the evening atmosphere is quite different but equally enjoyable. 

STK- Strand, London

ME Hotel, 336- 337 Strand, WC2R 1HA
http://togrp.com/togrp-stk-londq`1on/about/

STK's arrival in the ME London hotel marked the renowned restaurant's first opening outside its handful of hot US locations, causing a suitable flurry of hype and excitement.

Not a surprise given the name, steak is the emphasis on the menu. High quality cuts of meat come small, medium or large, with gourmet toppings such as black truffle, lobster or crab. There are dishes that come from the raw bar while a variety of salads and market fish entrees are also available.  A complimentary loaf of warm brioche with chive oil is brought to start and the extravagant desserts on offer include ‘Rhubarb and Champagne Trifle’ or a ‘ Fairgound Attraction’- marshmallows, candyfloss, ice cream, toffee apples and yoghurt popcorn.

Inside is sleek and sophisticated; black carpet, cream leather booths, dramatic lighting, violet shimmering walls and an abundance of pink and white flowers spilling from numerous vases.

Enjoy a post-dinner cocktail on the stylish ME Hotel bar… a stunning view of landmarks along the Thames guaranteed. 

Rum Kitchen- Notting Hill, London

6- 8 All Saints Road, W11 1HH
http://therumkitchen.com/

Rum Kitchen is a fun, Caribbean beach shack-styled restaurant located on one of Notting Hill’s many pretty streets. We were impressed with the friendly, attentive staff and colourful interior. Interesting and exotic main dishes on the menu include jerk lamb cutlets, ‘spiced up chicken supreme’ with yam bubble and squeak and 'curry mutton'. The seafood ‘gumbo’ was delicious; a coconut, soup-like dish with fresh seafood and served with a slice of cornbread. Expect tasty starters such as salt and chili squid and chicken pork skewers. The chocolate rum cake with chocolate sauce and ice cream looked delicious and is an absolute must for visit#2.  Speaking of rum, downstairs lies a hidden cellar housing 100+ varieties of rum…which inevitably make their way into many concoctions on the cocktail list J

Frederick's- Angel, London

106 Camden Passage, N1 8EG
http://fredericks.co.uk/

You would never guess from the modest and quite inconspicuous facade of Frederick's restaurant on Camden Passage that it expands into a very impressive, elegant restaurant. With one of the two dining rooms housed in a light and bright conservatory with colourful modern art, crisp white table cloths and a beautiful garden view, the setting is quite special.

Starters on this modern European menu include pan-fried scallops with onion puree, English asparagus and morels or ricotta and pea tortellini with tomato consomme.

Succulent duck breast with parmesan polenta and beetroot was one excellent main course while the other, a meaty monkfish wrapped in parma ham and served with caponata (a Sicilian aubergine stew) was just as good.

On the dessert list are classics, all with an interesting flavour; passion fruit creme brulee, chocolate fondant with pistachio ice cream, vanilla cheesecake with mango compote or plum and raisin strudel with cinnamon ice cream...delicious!