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! 

Tanner & Co- Bermondsey, London

50 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UD
http://tannerandco.co.uk

With anticipation I booked into the newest restaurant and bar on Bermondsey Street, Tanner & Co. As restaurants along this charming street tend to book up every night, the need for more tables was definite and this uniquely designed, huge space- provides just that. Inspired by an old gymnasium, the decor has interesting focal points throughout; vintage radios, glass cased ship models and old typewriters are on display while an old fashioned blackboard indicates the direction to the toilets. Hanging rope is used to decorate various areas and a row of booths are divided by real horse pommels. Leather aprons worn by staff and the name symbolise Bermondsey's past as the home to many leather tanneries. 

The menu is described as a 'contemporary take on comfort food' and we started our meal with two delicious dishes; a perfectly cooked gourmet scotch egg and flavourful plate pork rillettes. Poached hake with leeks and baked aubergine with ratatouille and cous cous fritters were main courses polished off quickly. Also gracing the menu are braised oxtail and mushroom spring rolls and liver bubble and squeak croquettes. Regrettably, there was no room for dessert otherwise the butterscotch tart with whippy cream or iced neapolitan parfait with praline wafer would have been winners. We ordered and enjoyed two different champagne cocktails from a large and creative cocktail menu which will serve the accompanying bar well.

Morito- Exmouth Market, London

32 Exmouth Market, London, EC1R
http://www.morito.co.uk/index.php

Morito...a teeny tapas restaurant in Exmouth Market selling little plates of heavenly Spanish food. Of the ten or so dishes our table tried, the beetroot, feta & walnut dip and chorizo & scallop salad were delicious. More unusual choices that also went down particularly well were the roasted aubergine with mint yoghurt, walnuts & pomegranate and the deep fried artichokes. Inside is cute; a rustic interior with splashes of colour from an orange bar, red flowers, a large fuchsia print and bowls of olives and limes.

The Clove Club- Shoreditch, London

Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, London, EC1V 9LT
http://thecloveclub.com

The Clove Club is one of East London's newest restaurants and one which prides itself on a regularly changing, British menu inspired by seasonal produce. While this set menu serves nine dishes of food...the price tag is quite steep at £47 ahead. In fairness the plates were impressive; interesting combinations, very artistically presented, served by extremely attentive staff. Highlight starter was buttermilk fried chicken...best main was chilled courgette soup with smoked fish, creme fraiche and Indian spices…winning dessert was prune ice cream, kernel & rosemary sorbet and walnut cake crumbs.

The interior is simple and let's the food do the talking, however the period features of this old town hall are still prevalent. The bathrooms house Edwardian pull chain toilets and Bentwood chairs feature in the dining room. Should you fancy popping in for a more informal visit, a separate bar area serves drinks and small dishes.

Little Social- Mayfair, London

5 Pollen Street, London, W1S 1NE
http://www.littlesocial.co.uk

This Mayfair bistro serves exquisite French cuisine in a polished setting at pleasantly affordable prices. Inside is just what you would expect from a traditional Parisian restaurant; burgundy leather booths, dark wooden tables, black framed prints cover the walls and cosy light comes from candles and a variety of lamps. Every table was taken when we arrived and given the food we soon tried it's no surprise why.

The menu is varied yet uncluttered. Though very tempted to order the slow-cooked egg, parmesan and squash soup with mushrooms and croutons to start, I went straight for the roasted halibut 'BLT' with sauce bois boudrain...a beautifully cooked main dish which I savoured every mouthful of. 'Poutine'...a Quebec dish of fries, cheese and gravy was an indulgent and delicious side. The hot chocolate moelleux with sea salt and almond ice cream for dessert was the perfect contrast of sweet and salty. Little Social deserves an all round big thumbs up.