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.

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.

 

The Garrison- Bermondsey, London

99-101 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3XB 

http://www.thegarrison.co.uk/

Getting  a clear vote (in my opinion) as the best restaurant on Bermondsey Street…The Garrison Public House is an absolute must. It’s the continuous variety that gives this gastropub such charm and appeal. From candles…to free hanging light-bulbs…to a chandelier of light-expelling tea cups…to low hanging vintage lampshades…the lighting is a theme in itself. Team this with an eclectic mismatch of tables and chairs, white-washed wooden walls and ornate points of interest in every corner, and you begin to get an idea of just how quirky and beautiful this interior is.
 
Variety continues with how this space is broken up- a row of elevated booths sit to the back of the restaurant, while a scatter of tables sit in the middle. There are a small number of stools to perch on beside the bar and high tables and chairs line the window sill at the front of the restaurant.
 
Enough ranting about the design, the food is worth a big mention too. Daily specials compliment an already very appealing menu. Expect rich, hearty meals like caremelised onion and gruyere tart,  smoked haddock kedgeree, Aberdeen lamb chops or confit duck leg. The mixed berries Eton mess and lemon meringue pie are reliable choices from the dessert menu.     

Also on offer here are lovely breakfast and afternoon tea menus and more unusually, a small cinema showing weekly screenings every Sunday.

 

Workshop Coffee Co. - Clerkenwell, London

27 Clerkenwell Road, EC1M 5RN
 http://www.workshopcoffee.com/

Formally known as St. Ali, this lovely brunch spot epitomises what Saturday mornings should be all about…good food and delicious coffee in relaxed & stylish surroundings.

On the menu are the usual brunch suspects but with a twist; the corn fritters, baby spinach, grilled halloumi and kasundi (a spicy chutney) with poached eggs was delicious. On my next visit -which will be soon- I’ll be sampling the baked eggs, roast pepper, chorizo, saffron and feta dish. Fresh, home roasted coffee is a big emphasis here so remember to order your cappuccino or flat white.

Split over two floors, the exposed brick work and overhead piping give a rough edge to an overall very comfortable and homely space. The most unique element of the interior is the back wall on the ground floor covered from head to toe in lush greenery- this is a piece of art in itself.  

Elysée Roof Garden- Fitzrovia- London

13 Percy Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T IDP

http://www.elyseerestaurant.com/

Nestled among the beautiful terrace buildings of Fitzrovia is Greek Restaurant & Roof Garden, Elysée- perfect if you’re stuck in central London on a hot day and need somewhere secluded to relax and enjoy the sun. This charming, leafy, 700 square ft roof terrace has heaters and a retractable roof so that alfresco drinking and dining can always be enjoyed in London’s unpredictable weather. The drinks are reasonably priced and the terrace menu hosts a varied selection of small dishes such as deep fried calamari or spinach & feta filo pastries should you get peckish.

With its live jazz and 3.30am license six days a week, the restaurant is known to turn into a full blown party, table dancing and all…I must make a note to return for dinner ;)

Casa Morita- Brixton, London

9 Market Row, Brixton, London, SW9 8LB

http://www.casamorita.com/

Venture to Brixton Village to discover a hidden world of shops, market stalls and passageways… where café after café leave you terribly spoilt for choice.

Casa Morita is a small and relaxed restaurant serving up authentic Mexican food at really reasonable prices. Our £36 bill included two margaritas, two enchilada mains and two bottles of Modelo. This interesting space is an eclectic mix of exposed brickwork, stripped walls, an open kitchen and fuscia pink chairs.  Quirky touches like salt being served in mini Bonne Maman jam jars and a wall covered in different hanging ornaments add to its appeal.

La Bodega Negra- Soho, London

9 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 5NH
http://labodeganegra.com/#Home

It’s hard to believe that a neon-lit ‘Peep Show’ entrance off Old Compton Street leads to a buzzing underground world with top notch Mexican food, fantastic music and killer margaritas. The dishes are small and ideal for sharing- make guacamole a must to start and save enough room for the chocolate fondant to finish. The candle-lit, cellar-like interior is atmospheric and full of character.

Owner Serge Becker is the brains behind La Bodega Negra, also renowned for his NYC creation, La Esquina. La Esquina involves a similar concept where the basement restaurant is reached through an unsuspicious door within a retro SoHo diner.

La Bodega Negra’s ground level café and bar off Moor Street is ideal for a relaxed drink or bite to eat but head to the restaurant for a more frivolous evening. Book now-reservations get snatched up quickly.

The Bloomsbury Street Bar and Restaurant- Holborn, London

9-13 Bloomsbury Street, London, WC1B 3QD

Website

White and beige striped awning wrap the exterior of Bloomsbury Street Bar and Restaurant... an intimate, stylish and refined venue for lunch, dinner or drinks. The dark colour palette, red touches and chandelier lighting add to its elegance.  Relax in one of the large black leather chairs and begin the difficult decision of which options from the 3 course set- menu to go for. The standard and quantity of food make the £25 price tag for this menu completely reasonable. To start I opted for the duck liver parfait with fig chutney and toasted brioche, followed by the organic salmon fillet with crushed potatoes and mango and tomato salsa. Painfully, I only managed half of my delicious pear and chocolate tart for dessert. All were delicious. The staff made an extra effort to ensure we were always looked after and the complimentary appertiser in between courses was a nice touch.

Mildreds- Soho, London

 45 Lexington Street, London, W1F 9AN
http://www.mildreds.co.uk/

Lexington Street is home to a small strip of charming and cosy restaurants, Mildreds one of them. A few minutes from the hustle and bustle of Wardour street...Mildreds serves up tasty vegetarian food with a kick. This busy, chatter filled space with every table filled was likely the result of such reasonable prices and speedy service. Chinese dumplings, the veggie burrito, sweet potato fries and stir fried Asisn veg were all polished off easily!

Del'Aziz- Bermondsey, London

11 Bermondsey Square, London, SE1 3UN

http://www.delaziz.co.uk/ 

It’s the unique layout, tasteful interior and great menu that make Del’Aziz Bermondsey the ideal place for breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks.  You are initially greeted with a relaxed and homely café…on one side a delicious assortment of cakes and pastries is on display while the wall opposite is stocked with colourful jars, bottles and packets of high quality ingredients for purchase. 

Further through is the raised cocktail bar…a Moroccan themed, cushioned space filled with rich colours, velvet textures and copper touches. Round from this is the main restaurant area where you’ll find a live jazz band playing every Wednesday. The collection of outdoor tables facing onto Bermondsey Square also make this a perfect choice for sunny days and warm evenings.

The brunch menu is extensive and reasonably priced…try the ‘Frying Pan’ or any of the poached eggs dishes as they will not disappoint. Furthermore the three course set dinner menu for £22.00 per person provides a range of Mediterranean delights including hummus, taboleh, falafel with mint yoghurt, lamb boreck,  saffron chicken shish and roasted stuffed peppers. Del’Aziz also has branches in Fulham, Clapham, Swiss Cottage, Westfield and near the Southbank.

Spice Market- Leicester Square, London

10 Wardour Street, London, W1D 6QF
http://www.spicemarketlondon.co.uk/index.php

Slightly hidden under the modern W Hotel near Leicester Square, ensure you don't miss out on this vibrant and plush south-east Asia themed restaurant.  With rows of colourful spices lining the wall, hundreds of low hanging wok lights, gold mesh screens, a fiery red, orange and brown colour palette…the décor makes a big impact as soon as you walk through the door. An extensive cocktail list including delicious lychee raspberry bellinis and a wide selection of dishes- the spiced chicken samosas, crab dumplings and the Vietnamese chicken curry to name but a few- make Spice Market a must.

José- Bermondsey, London

104 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3UB
http://www.josepizarro.com/restaurants/jose/

In the heart of Bermondsey Street sits José, a tiny tapas bar always teeming with life. This is the creation of acclaimed chef José Pizarro. Whether it be Sunday brunch or a week-day evening, the place is full of people casually enjoying fine wine and sampling on delicious dishes such as croquetas, allioli hake, chorizo lentils and jamón ibérico. Sit by the ceramic tiled bar, the stools by the window or stand by one of the barrel-style tables in the centre.