Polpo- Covent Garden, London

2 Maiden Lane, WCE2 7NA
http://www.polpo.co.uk/

Polpo has small, rustic restaurants in several locations; Covent Garden, Soho and Smithfield. Reasonably priced, the menu offers a wide selection of delicious sharing size Venetian dishes and has won rosettes in the AA guide for culinary excellence. Arriving on a cold Wednesday night, we were ushered down to the low-lit and cosy cellar.  The interior is authentic; stripped back walls, a selection of high and low tables and an open and well stocked bar.  An interesting touch was the drinks menus being presented on clipboards. Our choices were all good ones; lamb and mint meatballs, goats cheese, kale & pine nut pizette, arancini, duck ragu parpadelle and potato & parmesan crochette. Too stuffed from dinner, we missed out on plates like ricotta crumble or panacotta with rhubarb & pistachio for dessert…a return visit is a must!

Gilgamesh- Camden, London

The Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AH
http://www.gilgameshbar.com

Gilgamesh is a renowned pan-Asian restaurant in the middle of Camden's Stables Market. Inspired by the Babylonian era, the decor is grand, colourful and exotic. We sat in wooden chairs as big as thrones and enjoyed a delicious set menu from beginning to end. We tucked into scallop tempura with orange ponzu, volcano sushi rolls and fillet of beef salad with hot and sour sauce to start. The main was a choice of green Thai chicken curry or grilled lemon sole with black bean & sake sauce; both with spice roasted squash and egg fried rice on the side. We finished with an indulgent chocolate and lemon grass brûlée. The extensive cocktail menu includes concoctions like apple and fig martinis and 'caipirinhas on fire'...yum!

Duck and Waffle- Bishopsgate, London

Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY

http://duckandwaffle.com

Step into the lift at the ground floor of the Heron Tower and zoom 40 floors up (in what feels like milliseconds) to a fabulous restaurant and bar with stunning panoramic views of the capital. This 24 hour hot spot has only been open for 6 months but has already established itself as a big name.

The cocktail bar has been beautifully designed with a blue mosaic floor and colourful, illuminated jars of stones as light features. Ornate chandeliers and strings of beads frame a breathtaking view of the Gherkin. Further through, the restaurant is bright and elegant with griege booths and large orchid filled vases. A bright yellow curved ceiling adds a modern twist.

We all tried the signature dish, the 'Duck and Waffle' which was an unusual but delicious combination of crispy confit duck, fried egg, waffle and mustard maple syrup. For dessert, the warm chocolate brownie with peanut butter ice cream and honey comb was heavenly. Our long and lazy lunch lasted 3 hours and allowed us beautiful views of London as the sun set and the lights started to twinkle across the city.

Antico- Bermondsey, London

214 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3TQ
http://www.antico-london.co.uk

Antico is one of the newest additions to an existing string of excellent Bermondsey Street restaurants. Serving beautiful rustic Italian food in a relaxed yet stylish setting, it keeps the standard high. Our mains ranged from a succulent tuna steak salad to a creamy tomato and mascarpone risotto. On the starters menu you'll find dishes such as burrata with marinated peppers, halibut fritti with fresh chilli and caper oil or a classic antipasti board. Mains fall under either the fresh pasta & risotto plates or fish & meat from the oven & grill . With its brunch friendly cocktail menu including passion fruit bellinis and prosecco fizz (elderflower liquor, prosecco and lemon) it's no surprise it's busy all weekend. The cosy downstairs bar with its exposed brick walls and leather stools is worth a visit too.

Crazy Bear- Fitzrovia, London

26- 28 Whitfield Street, W1T 2RG
http://www.crazybeargroup.co.uk/fitzrovia/

This sophisticated South-East Asian restaurant is worth a visit if only for its exquisite food. Team that with an intimate bar boasting three awards and you could easily spend the whole night here. The 'Stir Fried Crustacea' was a beautiful medley of all my favourite seafood (tiger prawns, mussles, queen scallops, squid) in a simple yet delicious spring onion & garlic sauce. The mouth-watering black cod I tried was cooked to perfection.  There is an incredibly sexy and glamourous feel to this restaurant with its leather seats, bronzed ceiling, low lighting, black, gold & cream panelled walls, mushroom table lamps and ruby-carpeted stairs decending to the basement cocktail bar. Visiting the extravagant bathroom is a must; the optical illusion of its mirrored interior is bound to play tricks on you ;)

Salt Yard- Goodge Street, London

54,Goodge Street, WIT 4NA
http://www.saltyard.co.uk/restaurant/

Salt Yard tapas bar serves up little plates of heaven at affordable prices. We didn't hold back and ordered a delicious selection of the modern French and Italian influenced dishes. The unexpected flavour combinations complimented each other wonderfully- confit duck with mustard spaetzle, pomegranate, chestnut & mint or roasted chorizo with apple, cider & marjoram. Other choices worth a mention were the truffled macaroni cheese, the courgette flowers stuffed with goats cheese & drizzled with honey and the jamon croquetas with manchego...all amazing!

Attention to detail is prevalent in this intimate interior...a beautiful oil painting hangs from the burgundy feature wall and the open bar lined with cream leather stools is the focal point of this space. Candles and small hanging lights add to its cosy atmosphere.

The Woolpack- Bermondsey, London

 98 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UB
http://www.woolpackbar.com/

Without overlooking the ground floor and beer garden of this vibrant pub which is busy and inviting all year round, the gem of The Woolpack is the restaurant up the spiral staircase on the second floor.

Gothic opulence is the theme of this interior with its black leather seats, charcoal & copper wallpaper, ornate gold-framed mirrors and hanging chandeliers. The colourful Michaelangelo style art on the ceiling is like a patch straight out of the Sistene Chapel.

On the menu are traditonal pub favourites done really well. It's the perfect place for a Sunday roast in style.