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.

 

Dolly's, Selridges- Oxford Street, London

400 Oxford Street, London, W1A 1AB
Menu

Bypass the generic café chains on Oxford Street and head to the basement of Selfridges for a special coffee break. With its divine selection of cakes and pastries and impressive surroundings- shelves stacked with luxury products and never-ending overhead escalators- you’ll be tempted to sit for hours and watch the world rush by.

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 ;)