Ceviche- Soho, London

17 Frith Street, W1D 4RG

http://cevicheuk.com/index.php

‘Ceviche’ is a popular dish along the Central and South American coasts and is typically made from marinating raw seafood in citrus juices and spicing it with aji or chilli peppers. Named after, and having varieties of this dish on the menu, Peruvian restaurant Ceviche is worth a visit to try something new. The ‘Don Ceviche’ with fresh seabass was both healthy and tasted great; the chilli tiger’s milk and limo chilli packed quite a punch. If that doesn't sound up your street- the ‘Lomo Saltado’ a flame cooked beef fillet with chunky chips was tender and full of flavour. Adding to that-I’d return in a second for the marinated & braised octopus and chorizo skewers on a bed of black quinoa…absolutely delicious. The restaurant is small- busy tables sit within blue-washed walls hung with colourful, framed prints. An overhead fan evokes the feel of a café somewhere hot.

Social Eating House- Soho, London

58 Poland Street, W1F 7NR

http://www.socialeatinghouse.com/

Following successful restaurants Pollen Street Social and Little Social, Social Eating House is the newest opening from Jason Atherton and sits within Soho’s matrix of narrow and buzzing streets. The restaurant is smart- mirrored ceilings, brick walls and restored furniture make the interior. An energetic atmosphere, attentive staff and a stylish upstairs cocktail bar (The Blind Pig) are just some of the reasons to try it, food aside. Creative meat and fish dishes are prevalent on the starter and main menus; personally I can vouch for two delicious mains. The roast Cornish cod came in a delicious cream sauce with baby gem, cockles, mousseron mushrooms and kombu- a type of seaweed. Beautifully cooked, the confit Cotswold lamb neck fillet was accompanied by roasted onions, aubergine, artichoke, tomato and a tangy tapenade. Dessert was a B52 sundae...Khalua and chocolate brownie, Gran Marnier sorbet, Bailey’s ice cream and espresso syrup gave it quite a kick.

Beard to Tail- Hoxton, London

77 Curtain Road, EC2A 3BS
http://www.beardtotail.co.uk/

Whiskey and steak lovers...this one's for you. While the focus of the restaurant is high quality, locally sourced meats and a variety of rare whiskies and ryes, there is something for everyone on the menu.

The superior starter choice was a delicious dish of Devonshire crab with avocado, lime, cannellini beans, chilli flakes and melba toast.  Deep fried baby squid with almonds and crispy curry leaves followed closely after. With rich glasses of red, we enjoyed succulent braised pig’s cheeks with cloves & honey and the butcher’s cut steak with celeriac & horseradish slaw. Giant sweet potato chips on the side were a good choice too. The dessert menu looks divine- treat yourself to a banana tart with peanut butter ice cream,  a baked lemon tart with vanilla mascarpone or go all out and order the sharing sundae- marshmallow, ice cream, Oreo cookies, chocolate brownies & Jack Daniel’s syrup- served in a whisky bottle.

 A design incorporating wooden tables, mosaic flooring, light grey tiles, exposed pipes and a large focal chandelier gives the interior a casual but stylish feel.

Casa Negra- Shoreditch, London

54-56 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3QR
http://www.casanegra.co.uk/

The creators of La Bodega Negra- the popular peep-show entrance Mexican in Soho- have recently opened Casa Negra, a sister restaurant in Shoreditch. On the Thursday we visited...the bar, dining room and kitchen table (for drop ins) were all packed. We tucked into a large bowl of guacamole with chips,  fire-roasted sweet potato, spicy fried chicken with cabbage & carrot slaw and even spicier pork tacos. The design fuses different themes to form an eclectic mix. Charcoal walls, chandeliers, patterned carpet, vintage mirrors & framed pictures clash with colourful stripey seating and a illuminated, shack-style bar. Margaritas come on the rocks or frozen in a range of flavours and there's a basement club if you want to carry on the night.

Restaurant Story- London Bridge

201 Tooley Street, SE1 2UE
http://www.restaurantstory.co.uk/

My visit to Restaurant Story can only be described as an exciting journey of flavour and creativity. I can't begin to list all the ingredient combinations we tried but it's safe to say each plate displayed culinary skill and innovation of the highest order. Much to our delight we were brought many more small dishes than the six courses indicated on the set menu.

Special mention goes to the 'Bread and Dripping'....a tasty substance that actually drips from a lit candle which you then dip homemade bread into. A particular favourite was heritage potato, asparagus and barley grass that came in a black coal sauce- who knew coal could be so delicious!?

Of the complimentary tasters we were brought at the beginning- peas in a pod with truffle butter or the edible flowers stand out. The 'Storeo'- biscuits made from squid ink with a fish roe filling were surprisingly good. We enjoyed a lovely bottle of Viognier, also available from the bar is ‘The Kernel’- a Bermondsey produced pale ale.

The restaurant name is born from the theme of ‘sharing stories’. Customers experience a journey through food and in turn are encouraged to leave a book that will remain there to ‘evoke the inspiration in others that we hope our food evokes in you’. Bookings are taken for the following month and fill up quickly- no last minute reservations allowed!

Hawksmoor- Piccadilly, London

5a Air Street, W1J 0AD
http://thehawksmoor.com/

Boasting the title 'Best Steak Restaurant' in London and with locations in Spitalfields, Moorgate, Piccadilly and Covent Garden...Hawsksmoor is one for your foodie bucket list.

The impressive starter selection is varied but fresh fish and shellfish make a big impact; dishes such as lobster cocktail, roast scallops with white port & garlic, Hawksmoor smoked salmon  or shrimps on toast all feature.

Your quality rib-eye, T-bone, fillet, sirloin or D-Rump (the list goes on...) has optional sides like macaroni cheese, roasted field mushrooms, buttered greens or 'beef dripping' fries. The usual peppercorn and béarnaise sauces are there to choose but more unusually, stilton hollandaise or bone marrow gravy are on the menu.

The desserts are delicious, the warm sticky toffee pudding with rich clotted cream being the most spectacular.

Inside in reminiscent of an established New York steak house...the green leather seating, mahogany wall panels, geometric window designs and table lamps evoke that mood.

On Mondays you can save by paying a £5 corkage fee and  bringing your own bottle of wine.

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.