London

Chinese

One would think that as London has Soho and Chinatown, Far Eastern cuisine would be readily available and one would be right. Not only is it readily available, it is delicious and many different types and flavours are easily found and enjoyed. Flavours from as far a field as Tibet are brought together which more traditional mandarin cooking at the YMing restaurant. For the modern, stylish take on Chinese cookery, Hakkasan is the new gastronome’s dream, as a partnership is made between old fashioned methods of cooking and new ingredients such as ostrich and sardines! However, such quality has a pride and at Hakkasan, this price is pretty high. Market Thai is arguably the best Thai restaurant in the city, for choice, especially vegetarian, and value. An express lunch menu means that a great lunch can be bought for just under a fiver. E&O takes all the best aspects from a number of Asian cuisines and fuses them craftily into an innovative, creative menu. The Oriental has a very desirable Park Lane address and the decadence of the area transfers into the restaurants, with elegant oriental silks and figurines. The food isn’t bad, either.

Britain.tv’s Choice of the Month: Mandarin Kitchen

Gifted the Moët et Chandon award in 2001 for the best Asian restaurant, the Mandarin Kitchen is a seafood lover’s paradise. It is often said that Asian people will not go to a Chinese restaurant as the food served is drastically anglicized, but not at the Mandarin Kitchen, where traditional cooking wins out. The western diner is not used to being offered sea cucumber, razor clams or lobster but all should be sampled though the sea cucumber is definitely an acquired taste. Squid, king prawns, crab…you name it, they cook it and very, very well. For such quality and assured cooking excellence, the prices are very reasonable and a definite plus. There is nowhere else like it in London so pay it a visit and you won’t be disappointed.

French cuisine isn’t perhaps as popular as it once was but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t still some stunning restaurants to be found in London. If money is no object then a visit to Mirabelle should be at the top of your list. Better French cooking would be hard to find but when a meal for two can easily drift over the £100 mark, some might be hesitant. An inn dating back over 300 years houses the Wells, a relatively new venture which presents modern French and Mediterranean dishes with class and flavour. Most would balk at the thought of trying the French stereotypes, snails and frog’s legs, but if you were feeling brave then the best place to visit is the Almeida. Restaurant Marco Pierre White and Chez Nico do far more than simply keep up appearances, presenting excellent French dishes at reasonable prices. Quality is assured at Le Gavroche, and it is such quality which led to its winning of a Moet and Chandon London Restaurant Award in 2001.

Britain.tv’s Choice of the Month: La Galette

This choice may seem unusual to some as there are many French restaurants in London which regularly win awards but La Galette is the choice as it is totally and unashamedly French. Rustic tables and a light wood interior set the feeling of an intimate café immediately in La Galette as do chalkboards bearing the menu. But the food is the important thing and this restaurant specialises in a French favourite, the galette. A galette is a form of pancake or crepe, made from buckwheat, and is used as a form of pastry. Fillings such as cheese and ham, or spicy roasted peppers are encased in these parcels which are deliciously satisfying and can sate most appetites. The chef will happily make to order if you have particular request. The more familiar sweet crepes are available for dessert for those with a sweet tooth. In short, La Galette offers a creative alternative for a cosmopolitan lunch and its tasty crepes are dangerous competition for the baguette or salad.

Although Glasgow, Birmingham and Bradford are far better known as curry hot spots, London is becoming a major force to be reckoned with. All kinds and types are ready to be enjoyed, be it balti, goan and gujarati. The Grand Indian is just about the best place in the city for any kind of balti. The wonderfully named Sticklebackpink is fresh, clean and modern, and boasts a menu of excellent Bangladeshi cuisine. If Pakistani food is more to your taste, then Saloos is the place for you. Chutney Mary combines beautiful surroundings with tremendously good food, which saw this particular restaurant receive a Tio Pepe Carlton Award earlier this year. Benares draws its inspiration from the northern regions of India and with stunning results. Plus, the atmosphere and décor are almost as enjoyable as the meal itself. Vegetarians can have their desires sated expertly at either Sakoni or Diwana Bhel Poori. The Mint Leaf is a must for those who crave design when they dine, with slick, dark woods and cosy individual eating areas.

Britain.tv’s Choice of the Month: Zaika

The fact that Zaika has been open only a short time and already received a Michelin star speaks volumes about the sheer quality of the food. The restaurant itself is not as spectacular as other restaurants in the city, as candles on tables and mood lighting gave more of a bistro feel. But, the wonderful smells drifting from the kitchen, quickly put pay to this image. The food is not traditionally Indian as European touches throughout the menu will quickly highlight. How many curries have you had when you were served a side salad? However, this fusion works marvellously, creating a taste individual only to Zaika. This is London dining at its best but with that comes a catch, the price. Though not exorbitant by the city’s standards, this is no cheap curry house. But that is the joy of visiting Zaika, the food and the experience won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

London is able to boast over 500 Italian restaurants so obviously not all of them can be included so here are just a few. Carluccio’s is a well known name in the city of London and the business has expanded to four restaurants now, all serving wonderful Italian fare and often featuring their own deli. If more traditional, rustic food is to your liking rather than just pizza and pasta, then a visit to Trattoo is a must. Diners revel in lavish settings with a Victorian feel with lots of light and beautifully dressed table settings. Since 1996, Room at the Top has grown in stature and reputation though his hasn’t lead to any changes to a satisfyingly simple menu. Grilled steak or chops and simple pastas are the order of the day. One note of caution, the waiting list for Room at the Top continues to grow so bookings for a special occasion should be made well in advance. Laid back is the best way to describe Il Palio as comfort and intimacy is the first thought. Candle light and live music creates just the right atmosphere to complement the food perfectly. Value for money is not often to be found in the nation’s capitol, but the Stingray Café offers superb food at very reasonable prices.

Eating out places and healthy eating in Britain.tv’s Choice of the Month: Tentazioni

In the shade of one of London’s best known landmarks, Tower Bridge, can be found tucked away, Tentazioni. In décor and atmosphere, this restaurant breaks no moulds and in fact, seems to revel in a stereotypical design. What sets it apart is the universal excellence in the cooking. Fish and seafood are cooked to perfection and their delicate flavours well preserved. The red meat lover can’t help but be impressed with Tentazioni’s diverse menu. The sweets as always in Italian cuisine are devilishly tempting and the diet should be forgotten just for one night! A great choice for any occasion and even worth inventing an occasion just to have a reason to visit.