Bon Appetit

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• The Diner read more ›
  (16-18 Ganton Street, W1. Tel. 020 7287 8962)
  This homage to the American staple is guaranteed to fill your stomach, whatever time of day you feel like grabbing a bite. Hearty breakfasts include stacks of pancakes dripping in maple syrup, breakfast burritos and the formidable 'Hungry Man Breakfast', if you dare! Lunch and dinner feature succulent burgers and piles of fries, chilli dogs and even salads. Wash it all down with an artery-clogging milkshake - the chocolate and peanut can't be beaten! As well as this Soho branch, it's also in Shoreditch and Camden.
• Tortilla read more ›
  (Unit 11A, 106 Southwark Street, SE1. Tel. 020 7620 0285)
  After the success of its Angel outfit, fledgling chain Tortilla has opened at Southbank, just behind the Tate Modern, serving tasty, healthy - and most importantly, authentic - Californian-style burritos to hungry Londoners. Customers can choose from the classic burrito (a flour tortilla filled with meat, rice, beans, salsa, guacamole, cheese and sour cream), tacos, salad and even the low-carb 'naked burrito' (without the tortilla). If you're looking for a fantastically fresh lunch option with a little more zing than your regular sandwich, you can't go wrong.
• Soho Pizzeria read more ›
  (16-18 Beak Street, W1. Tel. 020 7434 2480)
  A basic pizzeria, with bare tabletops and a canteen-style layout, as far away from the ubiquitous PizzaExpress-types as you could hope to get, this quaint little joint has been serving some of the best pizzas in the city since 1985. Fantastically priced Italian favourites, including the Ortolana, topped with juicy marinated aubergines. Live jazz plays every night to a young, hip crowd.
• Tea read more ›
  (1 Paternoster Square, EC4. Tel. 0871 971 6234)
  Ultra-modern Tea serves the best selection around, from black, white and green to oolong, infusion and super. It's bustling at breakfast time with a selection of deliciously flaky pastries or, pop in for afternoon tea when the atmosphere is more composed and serene. Take a moment to refresh with a brew, cucumber sandwiches, scones and the daily paper.
• The Diner read more ›
  (16-18 Ganton Street, W1. Tel. 020 7287 8962)
  This homage to the American staple is guaranteed to fill your stomach, whatever time of day you feel like grabbing a bite. Hearty breakfasts include stacks of pancakes dripping in maple syrup, breakfast burritos and the formidable 'Hungry Man Breakfast', if you dare! Lunch and dinner feature succulent burgers and piles of fries, chilli dogs and even salads. Wash it all down with an artery-clogging milkshake-the chocolate and peanut can't be beaten! As well as this Soho branch, it's also in Shoreditch and Camden.
• Masala Zone read more ›
  (48 Floral Street, WC2. Tel. 020 7379 0101)
  A noisy, canteen-style atmosphere greets you (as does a waft of delicate spicy scents) when you walk into this chain restaurant. Claiming to be one of the most authentic Indian restaurants in the city, Masala Zone serves wonderful curries and tender tikka grilled meats at reasonable prices.

• Ping Pong read more ›
  (1 Bread Street, EC4. Tel. 020 7651 0880)
  Within chiming distance of London's famous St Mary-le-Bow's church, this new opening from the dim-sum restaurant chain combines style, atmosphere and exceptional food. Whether it's a quick pork puff at lunchtime or a more leisurely soft shell crab and saké in the evening, the steaming baskets of signature dishes deliver every time. You must finish with one of their speciality flowering jasmine teas - a delight after the dim sum (www.pingpongdimsum.com).
• Afghan Kitchen read more ›
  (35 Islington Green, N1. Tel. 0871 332 8027)
  For a taste of the Middle East in a bustling elbow-to-elbow atmosphere, this little restaurant is a good choice. Diners cram into nooks and crannies, finding whatever space is available on the long, lean benches and sample authentic and truly delicious cuisine. The short menu offers gems such as pumpkin in yoghurt, bean and chick-pea curry, and wonderful fish and chicken options. Alcoholic drinks are sparse and expensive, but the fresh carrot juice makes up for it.
• Acorn House read more ›
  (69 Swinton Street, Kings Cross, WC1. Tel. 020 7812 1842)
  Worried about your carbon footprint? Every aspect of Acorn House - from design through to delivery - is environmentally aware or sustainable using green electricity and biodegradable products where possible. The restaurant serves its own water, purified on site (rather than bought-in bottled water), and diners can order the modern British dishes in any size to minimise wastage.
• Dim T read more ›
  (32 Charlotte Street. Tel. 020 7637 1122)
  Dim T is a seductively lit spot, just a stone's throw from Tottenham Court Road. Specialising in steamed dim sum, noodles, curries and soups, you'll be spoilt for choice at this Asian-styled restaurant. Start with dim sum (the spicy beef and prawn, peanut and coriander are a good choice) and deliciously light and fluffy pork buns, brought to your table in a tower of baskets. Then take your pick from the array of noodle dishes, with the seafood laksa and phad Thai both winners. Afterwards, relax amid the modern, dark wooden décor and order a jasmine tea.
• Me Love Sushi read more ›
  (100 Avenue Road, Swiss Cottage. Tel. 0844 855 2255)
  This convivial restaurant is located right by Swiss Cottage tube station. It started off as a home delivery only service, but grew so popular that a restaurant was opened. Swing by after work and you'll find a buzzy atmosphere and a crowd of young Londonites who know where to find good sushi. The menu is impressive, everything from unagi (eel) and squid, to the sensational soft-shelled crab futomaki. Plenty of noodle dishes adorn the menu, as do some particularly tasty tempura king prawns, and a soft and buttery black cod and miso. Retire to the upstairs bar and the efficient bar staff will create for you a sake cocktail in chunky cocktail glasses. The sake sunrise is a surefire pleaser.
• Sen Nin read more ›
  (206 Upper Street, N1. Tel. 020 7704 1890)
  For affordable sushi, sashimi and teppanyaki, you'll be hard pushed to find somewhere better than Sen Nin. Browse the menu and choose meat or fish that is then cooked on the hotplate in front of you. The set meals are excellent value, offering miso, rice and vegetables alongside your dish. Experienced chefs prepare your dinner right in front of your eyes, with a flourish.
• Ooze Risotto Bar read more ›
  (The Balcony, Westfield London, Shepherds Bush, W12. Tel. 020 8749 1904)
  Following the success of its West End outfit, Ooze has opened another risotto bar in London's hot new shopping destination, Westfield. From breakfast to dinner, you can eat in relaxing surrounds as you ponder your next move. Risotto dishes are innovative and unusual-order zucca e salvia (butternut squash) or the sorana (chicken, pancetta, fennel, sambuca and tarragon).

• Skylon read more ›
  (South Bank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1. Tel. 020 7654 7800)
  If you find yourself wandering along the South Bank, as a lot of tourists inevitably do, then bypass all the packed-out chain restaurants along the river and seek out Skylon, in the newly revamped Royal Festival Hall. With a fine-dining restaurant, brasserie and raised bar, it is much more sophisticated than any of its neighbours. Enjoy spectacular views across the river as you tuck into dishes like pan-fried halibut with Morteau sausage or warm smoked mackerel with fennel salad.
• Trishna read more ›
  (15-17 Blandford Street, W1. Tel. 020 7935 5624)
  Tucked away in a fashionable London neighbourhood, and reputedly one of Liz Hurley's favourite restaurants, Trishna offers exquisitely flavoured, Indian fine dining. With a relaxed and cosy atmosphere, complete with low lighting and an intimate feel, the courteous staff will guide you through the tandoori selection, grills from the charcoal sigri and signature London dishes. Hyderabadi fish tikka, lamb chops marinated in ginger and Kashmiri chilli, with mustard mooli, and the Dum lamb curry (just stunning) have an explosion of spice and flavour.
• El Torero Loco read more ›
  (351 Fulham Road, SW10. Tel. 020 7352 7139)
  Looking for an affordable, chic Spanish eatery with soft, sophisticated decor and authentic, delicious tapas? El Torero Loco is the place. Start with a cocktail (happy hour is from 5pm-7pm every day). Choose from the drinks list of ask one of the experienced barman to whip up one of your favourites, before delving in to a selection of tapas dishes. The chorizo and bean stew, softly battered calamari and spicy patatas bravas are just a few of the Spanish classics done justice. The tortilla espanola (Spanish omelette) is surprisingly light - a dish that can often be ruined at more mediocre tapas establishments. But don't fill yourself up, this joint does paella, and it does it very well. Choose from the seafood, vegetarian or wonderful carne (meat) versions. Excellent Spanish cuisine in the heart of Chelsea.
• Occo read more ›
  (58 Crawford Street, W1. Tel. 020 7724 4991)
  A little out of the way, so the food had better be good at this restaurant, to make it worth hunting down. It's not good: it's seriously good. Forget what you know about Moroccan cuisine and come to Occo - a sleek, sexy restaurant with myriad rooms, and you'll feel like you're in a riad in Tangier's Grand Socco, which is exactly where owner Sam hails from. Marvel at the stunning camel-bone bar before perusing the tasty-sounding menu with a to-die-for rose petal martini in hand. Start with the pigeon-and-prune cigars and follow with the roast duck breast with honey, coriander and ginger. Haute cuisine, North African-style.
• Luncheonette read more ›
  (95 Brick Lane, E1. )
  So much more than a wonderfully kitsch bowling alley, the restaurant at All Star Lanes, tucked away inside the East End's trendy Truman Brewery, serves up American-style comfort food, fabulous cocktails and dreamy milkshakes. Take a seat in one the vibrant red, 1950s-style leather banquettes and peruse the tempting menu. To start, try the salt-and-pepper squid, it's deliciously fluffy, followed by one of the heavy-hitting mains, such as jerk spiced cod and succotash, baked macaroni with gorgonzola and pecans, or the enormous bourbon-glazed baby back ribs, with fries, of course. If you have any room, order one of the ice-cream sundaes.
• Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill read more ›
  (11-13 Swallow Street, W1. Tel. 020 7734 4756)
  Acclaimed chef Richard Corrigan draws heavily on his Irish roots and proven track record, to inject a down-to-earth feel to Bentley's, one of London's oldest seafood restaurants. Tucked away behind Piccadilly Circus, you'll enjoy leisurely dining in the oyster bar, offering a vast selection of shellfish dishes, seafood broths and uncluttered and imaginative mains. Or head upstairs for more formal dining. Daily specials, enthused over by expert staff, compete for your attention in this classy venue (www.bentleys.org).
• Lena read more ›
  (66 Great Eastern Street, EC2. Tel. 020 7739 5714)
  An oasis of glamour amid the urban grit of Shoreditch, Lena serves up a mean dish, too. The white and wood décor (think soft, not stark) doesn't detract from the fantastic authentic cooking, with a strong focus on Sicilian food. To start, capesante in padella (scallops with crispy panchetta) is beautifully prepared, and the roast pumpkin ravioli a taste-bud sensation. Pan-fried mullet is deliciously light and perfectly paired with a glass of pinot grigio. There's also a cosy bar downstairs for after-dinner drinks.
• Bocca Di Lupo read more ›
  (12 Archer Street, W1. Tel. 020 7734 2223)
  Set in the heart of London's Soho theatre district, this new Italian opening has an atmosphere you'd expect from the dramatic translation of the restaurant name: Mouth of the Wolf. The finest dishes from Sicily, Umbria and Emilia-Romagna are served for sharing, tapas-style, or as larger mains for heartier (and less informal) dining. Fritto di mare, poussin in panzanella, crescentini with finocchiona and caponata are as delicious and as intriguing as they sound. With a stylish interior, a stunning wine selection and tastes that tantalise, the Lupo is set to make its home here.

• Chapter One read more ›
  (Farnborough Common, Locksbottom, Kent. Tel. 01689 854 848)
  If you're looking for a sensational dining experience just outside London, Chapter One - which regained its Michelin star in January - is just the ticket. Championing excellent quality ingredients and using them to create innovative cuisine, chef Andrew McLeish shows that award-winning cuisine doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, with the three-course meal costing just £29.50. The restaurant's clean, modern design with vibrant red lamps punctuating the neutral tones provides a stylish setting for the distinctive cuisine. Start with something light, like the wood pigeon salad with pata negra, apples and celeriac, and follow with the beautifully soft roast halibut or honey roast duck. Let the charming staff guide you through the impressive wine list and whatever you do, don't skimp on dessert. The heavenly peanut butter and jam mousse sandwich will have you clamouring for more.
• Mews of Mayfair read more ›
  (10-11 Lancashire Court, New Bond Street, W1. Tel. 020 7518 9388)
  Not too far from the crowds of Oxford Street, Mews of Mayfair is tucked down a quiet, narrow lane. It offers informal and intimate dining, while the subtle décor conveys a distinct sense of style. Offering modern cuisine for all tastes and centring around the freshest seasonal produce, the chef doesn't shy away from experimentation, so expect a delicious twist on your old favourites. Try the rabbit and ham hock terrine starter and, if you're feeling truly carnivorous, follow it up with the slow roast rump of Aberdeenshire beef for two.
• 1 Lombard Street read more ›
  (1 Lombard Street, EC3. Tel. 020 7929 6611)
  Head for the dining room restaurant if you want a secluded experience with the very finest Michelin-starred food. Impeccable service and attention to detail, with dishes including warm salad of partridge or feuileté of smoked Finnan haddock with quail's eggs. Follow with the caramelised lobster, scallops and langoustines, for an indication of the elegance the cuisine. The brasserie, equally niche, has a buzzier ambience.
• Bluebird read more ›
  (350 King's Road, SW3. Tel. 020 7559 1000)
  After shedding the Conran name, this glamorous restaurant has come into its own with its seductive and stylish décor, bright and airy open-plan bar and restaurant area - with vast windows affording great views of King's Road, day or night. The cuisine is unmistakably British, with a touch of sophistication. To start, the baked Scottish scallops are juicy, garlicky and beautifully soft. Plenty of fish dishes will tempt: the lemon sole is a stand-out winner. It would be a crime not to order dessert, with a heavenly host of the menu. If you're feeling wickedly decadent, the valrhona chocolate millefeuille is for you. The wine list is more like a tome - with about seven pages of French white wines alone. Let the sommelier help you sift through and you'll find a gem.
• 1 Lombard Street read more ›
  (1 Lombard Street, EC3. Tel. 020 7929 6611)
  Head for the dining-room restaurant if you want a secluded experience with the very finest Michelin-stared food. Impeccable service and attention to details churn out dishes such as warm salad of partridge or feuileté of smoked Finnan haddock with quail's eggs. Follow with the caramelised lobster, scallops and langoustines, for an indication of the elegance the cuisine. The brasserie, equally niche, has a buzzier ambience.
• Min Jiang read more ›
  (2-24 Kensington High Street, W8 . Tel. 0207 361 1988)
  One of the capital's newest and finest Chinese restaurants is on the tenth floor of Kensington's prestigious Royal Garden Hotel, with glorious views across Kensington Gardens. The dining area is beautifully designed and styled-contemporary red walls with mirrors and traditional vases dotted throughout. The Beijing duck is a speciality, and needs to be ordered in advance. Try it in a variety of ways: with the skin dipped in sugar; sweet plum sauce, spring onions and cucumber; and garlic and pickled vegetables accompanied with pancakes. The steamed dim-sum platter is divine, with the soft-shelled crab a real winner. The plush bar serves a great selection of pre- and post-dinner drinks. The brave should opt for the chilli caipirinha.
• Bob Bob Ricard read more ›
  (1 Upper James Street, Soho, W1. Tel. 020 3145 1000 )
  This new restaurant on Soho's trendy Golden Square is quite a feast-for the eyes and the palate. Diners are transported back to a bygone era, with leather booths, marble as far as they eye can see, and waiters' uniforms in shocking bubblegum pink. The menu mimics the retro style, with dishes including roast partridge with Savoy cabbage and macaroni cheese, while the desserts hark back to the good ol' days. The rose-tea jelly with shortbread and the sensational knickerbocker glory are both outstanding. The most fun you'll have, though, is pressing your own private Champagne request button at your booth. Watch your table number light up at the bar and wait for that Champagne trolley to trundle by.
• The Pass read more ›
  (South Lodge Hotel, Horsham. Tel. 01403 891 711)
  Just 15 minutes from Gatwick Airport, The Pass is the perfect Valentine's destination, with experimental cuisine and prime seating, wherever you're placed. Dine with a select few other guests right in the mayhem of the lime-green kitchen-with TV screens revealing any nooks and crannies out of your line of vision. Dishes will test your tastebuds, with roast frog's legs, snails and bacon bonbon, scallops and Jerusalem artichoke velouté, and hot chocolate mousse and Baileys marshmallows for dessert. These are all offered as part of the nine-course tasting menu-this Valentine's Day also with a complimentary glass of Champagne, for just £108 (www.southlodgehotel.co.uk).

After Dark

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• Bombay Sapphire Dusk Bar read more ›
  (Somerset House, The Strand, WC2. Tel. 020 7845 4600)
  Only open until mid-October, this innovative bar, designed by Tom Dixon, and with views over the river is the ideal place to head in the city for the cocktail hour. Come 6pm, the bar will be illuminated with Bombay Sapphire's iconic blue to kick off the 'blue hour'. Acclaimed bartenders and mixologists from the capital's coolest bars are on hand to whip up a cocktail. Open from 10am-12am, Monday-Saturday.
• The Albion read more ›
  (10 Thornhill Road, N1. Tel. 020 7607 7450)
  A very pleasant pub nestled in a leafy residential area of Islington. Beautifully updated with pastel-green walls, heavy oak furniture and vast sofas, perfect for falling into with a pint of beer. A comfortable spot, even more pleasing on a sunny day when you can sit at one of the benches outside.
• Market Place read more ›
  (11 Market Place, W1. Tel. 020 7079 2020)
  Tucked away from the commercial chaos of Oxford Street, this bar is ideal for a well-deserved beer after a full day of shopping. Upstairs you can relax surrounded by wood-panelled walls as you listen to chill-out music. If you still have energy to spare after pounding the streets, downstairs the DJ plays more energetic choices.
• Callooh Callay read more ›
  (Unit 2, Rivington Street, EC2. Tel. 020 7739 4781)
  Nestled away on a side street off the East End's trendy Shoreditch High Street, Callooh Callay is a brand-new bar with a distinctive feel. Taking its inspiration from Lewis Carroll's poem Jabberwocky, the bar is an original and quirky mix of sights and sounds. It serves hearty meals and seasonal snacks, but the cocktails are where it truly stands out. Award-winning mixologist Sean Ware whips up a host of unusually named, and equally unusual drinks. Try the fiery Lazy Mexican Margarita or Ale of Two Cities. Take a journey behind the wardrobe where you'll find rooms with cassette tapes on the walls, AstroTurf for carpets and bathtub sofas. Callooh Callay stands out in an area that's already jam-packed with out-of-the-ordinary establishments.
• Hoxton Pony read more ›
  (104-108 Curtain Road, EC2. Tel. 020 7613 2844)
  After a successful opening early last summer, the Hoxton Pony pulls in the trendy East End set, and is the ideal stop off for a leisurely drink or two before a heavy night out in gritty but glam Shoreditch. A good mix of cocktails, wine, beer and Champagne adorn the drinks list. The music varies from live DJs to a roster of 60s, 70s and 80s hits.
• The Fellow read more ›
  (24 York Way, N1. Tel. 020 7833 4395)
  Take a peek through the window of this cosy-looking gastropub and you'll be forgiven for thinking you are on a leafy street in Barnsbury, not opposite King's Cross station. The Fellow is making waves in this resurgent area and it's an ideal destination for the first drink of the night. Good selection of beers, wines and classic cocktails-order the delicious Bramble.

• Jazz Café read more ›
  (5 Parkway, Camden, NW1. Tel. 020 7534 6955)
  Arguably the best jazz venue in London and also considered one of the best live music venues in the city, it's a pleasure to see that such a popular place hasn't sold out: entry prices are around £10 and drinks are relatively inexpensive. A cool, buzzing atmosphere with an air of sophistication greets you as you walk through the door - and you'd expect nothing less.
• Brixton Academy read more ›
  (211 Stockwell Road, Brixton, SW9. Tel. 0871 971 4479)
  With its magnificent art-deco interior and original features dating back to the 1920s, Brixton Academy is considered one of the best live music venues in London. It may have a slightly turbulent history (then again, all the best rock venues do), but since establishing itself in the 80s, it's been a prime spot to hear some of the best music around.
• Koko read more ›
  (1A Camden High Street, NW1. Tel. 0870 432 5527)
  Cutting-edge indie venue that attracts big-name bands and eclectic sought-after newcomers. Recently renovated, the club boasts three floors of hip-wiggling action. Expect a fantastic atmosphere: the impressive theatre-esque setting and ear-splitting music make an in-your-face experience.
• Koko read more ›
  (1A Camden High Street, NW1. Tel. 0870 432 5527)
  Cutting-edge indie venue that attracts big-name bands and eclectic, sought-after newcomers. Recently renovated, the club boasts three floors of hip-wiggling action. Expect a fantastic atmosphere: the impressive theatre-esque setting and ear-splitting music make an in-your-face experience. This month sees Chicane (2 April), Eskimo Joe (8) and The Rakes (29) grace the stage.
• Hammersmith Apollo read more ›
  (45 Queen Caroline Street, W6. Tel. 020 8563 3800)
  West London's prime live music venue is a real corker this month, with a wide collection of internationally recognised bands gracing the stage. Catch the pride of Scotland Franz Ferdinard (9 March) and James Morrison (30). For young ones, Spongebob Squarepants-the sponge who could fly-is also appearing (4-8).
• The Roundhouse read more ›
  (Chalk Farm Road, NW1. Tel. 0870 389 1846)
  This magnificent example of 19th-century architecture has hosted plenty of music legends in their day, including Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd. And after an extensive refurbishment, The Roundhouse still attracts a myriad of big-name and up-and-coming bands. This month sees folksy Fleet Foxes (22-24 February) and The Script (12-13).

• Egg Club read more ›
  (200 York Way, N7. )
  Spread over three floors, encompassing a beautiful and spacious (albeit manmade) garden, and hosting some of the finest names in dance music, this club is the place to head if you can't face bed but prefer a non-stop barrage of quality dance music to keep you busy until dawn.
• Funky Buddha read more ›
  (15 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, W1. Tel. 020 7495 2596)
  East meets West at this lavishly refurbished club, popular with famous names and faces on London's society circuit, just round the corner from the Victorian splendour of Berkeley Square. An exclusive location for an equally exclusive venue, featuring cascading water walls, good karma vibes and a central Buddha fountain. Dress to impress and try to blag a table in the VIP section.
• Floridita read more ›
  (100 Wardour Street, W1. Tel. 020 7314 4000)
  Spice up a cool May evening with a trip to Floridita, a glam Cuban bar in the heart of town. Named after El Floridita in Havana, the home of the world's first daiquiri (inspired by Ernest Hemingway, no less) is the perfect place to sink a cocktail or two while moving to the beat of the resident Cuban band or DJ at the weekend.
• Maya read more ›
  (1A Dean Street, W1. Tel. 020 7287 9608)
  Sleek, stylish and dripping with the city's most beautiful people. Combined with fantastic music and exquisite drinks, why wouldn't you want to go to Maya? Once past the velvet rope, experience the sensational atmosphere, hit the dance floor and groove to cutting-edge tunes spun by celebrity DJs and sip Champagne till the early hours.
• Milk & Honey read more ›
  (61 Poland Street, W1. Tel. 020 7292 9949)
  Considered by most to be one of, if not the hippest late-night bar in London, Soho's Milk & Honey is a members-only bar that lets the regular folk in before 11am. Seductively lit, if you're lucky, you'll catch a glimpse of a elegantly-attired celeb or two. Try to reserve a table and work your way through the astounding cocktail list. Red Hook or Morning Glory Fizz, anyone?
• Babylon read more ›
  (99 Kensington High Street, W8. Tel. 020 7368 3993)
  One of the original glam clubs in Kensington, Babylon, at the Kensington Roof Gardens, is a chic destination for partying. Take a breather in the immaculate gardens-the Spanish Garden is the centrepiece. Marvel at the stars twinkling above you with a chilled glass of Champagne, before getting back inside to dance to some seriously cool beats.

This month...

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