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...

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.