The AvenueCity/Region: London
A favorite with the inhabitants of St James, The Avenue produces good Modern British and Mediterranean food but wisely does not attempt to compete with its illustrious neighbors, Pétrus and L'Oranger. As a result this minimalist restaurant is good value and always packed, despite a sometimes patchy service. The best tables are towards the back, on the mezzanine level. Set menus are usually excellent, and competitively priced, and quality wines are available by the glass. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Address: 7-9 St James's
Street
Website: www.egami.co.uk
La Poule au PotCity/Region: London
Although only a few minutes walk from Sloane Square, this charming restaurant could just as easily be in Paris or Provence, rather than in Pimlico Village. La Poule au Pot is one of those delightfully un-hip restaurants that guarantees a superb dining experience. The restaurant is cosy and warm and the food is true to traditional French cuisine - wholesome and unpretentious. The portions are generous and their fragrance floods your tongue before it rests on it. All this makes up for the absolute 'Frenchness' of the service, whose arrogance is a reminder that, even in the most pleasurable of experiences, we must endure a little pain. With its chicken wire room dividers and huge baskets of dusty bread and dried flowers, not to mention the chipped and mismatched crockery, La Poule au Pot is a favorite with locals. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Address: 231 Ebury Street (Pimlico)
Star of IndiaCity/Region: London
When in London visitors should experience the English national dish - Chicken Tikka Masala - and there is no better place to go than the Star of India, in the heart of South Kensington. Situated on the first floor of a Georgian house, this small restaurant has a pseudo-classical interior and continues to be popular with locals, despite the price. For years the Star of India has been at the forefront of modern Indian cuisine and it continues to impress with innovative and interesting menus, with specialties such as 'lusciously creamy tiger prawn casserole with root vegetables' and 'boned quail stuffed with chicken, quail's eggs, pine nuts and sunflower seeds'.
Address: 154 Old Brompton Road (South Kensington)
1 Lombard StreetCity/Region: London
Situated in the domed interior of an old banking hall opposite the Bank of England, 1 Lombard Street has become a city institution. The brasserie is always bustling with investment bankers and offers a full á la carte menu for both lunch and dinner with seasonal specialties and an extensive wine list. The Michelin-starred restaurant, situated behind the brasserie, is a better bet for discreet conversation and for enthusiasts of haute cuisine. The formal dining environment provides a tranquil setting for appreciating Herbert Berger's sophisticated cuisine. The convenience of having Michelin standards in the heart of the city makes up for the steep bills. Open weekdays only. Dress is smart casual.
Address: 1 Lombard Street (Bank)
Website: www.1lombardstreet.com
UbonCity/Region: London
The sister of the successful Nobu restaurant in Mayfair, Ubon (Nobu spelt backwards) is generally for those with large expense accounts. The restaurant serves the finest in Japanese cuisine including 'yellowtail jalapeno' as well as all kinds of sushi and sashimi, and offers wonderful views along the Thames - diners can even arrive by boat. Some diners complain that the service is a little rushed for a restaurant of this standard and price, but most keep coming back. Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Friday and dinner only on Saturdays.
Address: 34 Westferry Circus (Canary Wharf)
Website: www.noburestaurants.com
MontpelianoCity/Region: London
On a quiet side street just off Knightsbridge and a minutes walk from Harrods, Montpeliano is a wonderful old-fashioned Italian restaurant where the food is authentic and the service excellent. The owner is always available, the staff are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere has a feel of casual elegance. On warm evenings it is possible to dine 'el fresco' on the outside patio. The specials are always delicious, the portions generous and the price reasonable.
Address: 13 Montpelier Street (Knightsbridge)
The AbingdonCity/Region: London
The bar at this small but atmospheric pub is always buzzing with locals, while the restaurant often draws visitors from further afield. Set on a side street a few blocks from High Street Kensington the eating area is awkwardly narrow but makes a good spot for a private and romantic evening á deux, or with a small group of friends. The food is simple, but guaranteed to be good. Try the fillet of beef or the lamb cutlets with butter bean stew, followed by sticky toffee pudding. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Address: 54 Abingdon Road (Kensington)
192City/Region: London
Recently refurbished and relaunched by Tom Byng, who also owns nearby Zucca, this legendary neighborhood restaurant remains a favorite among celebrities and the local media-types of trendy Notting Hill, despite much competition. The modern British/European menu is inventive and ever changing, and the wine list is excellent. A great place for lunch or dinner, or simply for a little people watching. Open daily.
Address: 192 Kensington Park Road (Notting Hill)
Gordon Ramsay at Royal Hospital RoadCity/Region: London
Now established as one of London's finest restaurants, Gordon Ramsay at Royal Hospital Road opened in 1998 as the chef's first independently owned venture. Today it has three Michelin stars - an honor held by only one other British restaurant - and was recently voted in the top five restaurants in the world by a panel of experts. Need we say more? With 14 tables seating 44 guests, this exclusive venue has become a must for connoisseurs of fine contemporary cuisine from around the world. Book well in advance. Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Friday.
Address: 68-69 Royal Hospital Road (Chelsea)
Website: www.gordonramsay.com/royalhospitalroad/
Criterion GrillCity/Region: London
The Criterion Brasserie, in the heart of Piccadilly, is owned by the celebrated chef Marco Pierre White, the youngest chef and the first Englishman ever to be awarded three Michelin Stars. The menu is dominantly French with Mediterranean influences and allows exceptional food to be enjoyed in captivating surroundings. Glittering mosaics adorn the whole ceiling, while the walls are recessed with pillared arches decorated with motifs inspired by ancient Constantinople. The soft lighting conjures images of the Arabian Nights and creates a romantic atmosphere in which to enjoy food of simplicity yet great quality, such as eggs benedict with hollandaise sauce, followed by suckling pig garnished in apple sauce and jus à la marjolaine, or grilled calf's liver with bacon, pom puree, jus gras and sauce lyonnaise. Every evening Wednesday to Saturday, a magician moves from table to table entertaining diners. Open for lunch and dinner. Closed Sundays.
Address: 224 Piccadilly (Soho)
Website: www.whitestarline.org.uk
Fire and StoneCity/Region: London
A cosy atmosphere with contemporary trimmings and the smell of fresh oven baked pizza in the air, the new Fire and Stone pizza joint in Covent Garden is ideal for a family outing or a casual dinner with a friends or a partner. Boasting the largest wood-fired oven in the northern hemisphere, the Fire and Stone produces a large variety of pizzas, themed on the different flavors of the continents and made with only the freshest ingredients. An affordable Covent Garden restaurant, pizzas at the Fire and Stone range from £7 to £12. Compliment your meal with some of their quality red wines or try out an exotic smoothie. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Address: 31/32 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden
Website: www.fireandstone.com
Carnaby RestaurantCity/Region: London
Situated in the Courthouse Hotel, formerly the Great Marlborough Street Magistrate's Court, Carnaby Restaurant is a decadently decorated establishment, ideal for a light snack, afternoon tea or full bodied evening meal. Noted for its reasonable prices and attentive service, patrons at Carnaby Restaurant will be astonished to find that the food is of a high calibre too. Sit back and enjoy the view of attractive Carnaby Street through the tall glass windows, enjoy the plush red furnishings and soak up the olde worlde atmosphere. There are a variety of sophisticated meals at the Carnaby Restaurant that are carefully presented and accompanied by an impressive wine list. Open for lunch and supper, Monday to Saturday.
Address: Courthouse Hotel, 19-21 Great Marlborough Street
54 FarringdonCity/Region: London
A stylish but understated restaurant serving modern European and Malaysian cuisine, 54 is the ideal place for a modest romantic evening or dinner with a group of friends. Serving only free range, organic and local produce, 54 tries to ensure that their cuisine is environmentally responsible and retains the utmost flavor. Try the smoked mackerel with horseradish cream starter and continue with a lamb shank redang, the aubergine or pineapple curry or the belly of the pork. Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Friday and dinner on Saturday.
Address: 54 Farringdon Road
ZaikaCity/Region: London
A highly creative contemporary Indian restaurant, Zaika offers sensational Indian cuisine in a cool and vibrant setting. Situated in trendy Kensington, Zaika won Best Indian Restaurant in the London Restaurant Awards and holds three AA rosettes. Try the tasting menu to get a fuller understanding of the extensive Indian flavors. The Indian home-smoked salmon and Masala duck breast are also favorites. With great service, plush interiors and excellent cuisine, Zaika is a fail-proof night out.
Address: 1 Kensington High Street, Kensington
Blue ElephantCity/Region: London
A full throttle Thai experience, the Blue Elephant is a must if you are curious about Thai culture or if you've visited Thailand before and can't get it out of your system. Greeted with orchard flowers and welcoming smiles at the door, the décor and exquisite interiors will blow guests away. If you are looking for a unique restaurant that has lost any hint of London, except maybe the prices, head to the Blue Elephant. The lush indoor garden of tropical plants, the flowing carp pond and the majestic Blue Bar's Royal craft, which was carved out of a single piece of teak and layered with 50,000 sheets of goldleaf, add to both the exotic and luxurious in this renowned London restaurant. The starter menu offers familiar fare such as satay sticks, dumplings and spring rolls with the main menu displaying a broad range of dishes from herb-marinated sea bass grilled inside a bamboo wrap to Massaman, a typical Thai dish of slowly braised lamb in a medium spicy sauce. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Address: 3-6 Fulham Broadway
OpusCity/Region: Birmingham
Renowned for its organic seasonal cuisine, Opus Restaurant is ideal for a sophisticated lunch or refined dinner. Boasting a mouth-watering British menu, patrons at Opus Restaurant can expect to see a changing daily menu dictated by the whims of the fresh produce market. Serving contemporary dishes oozing with gourmet excellence, the restaurant is renowned for its free-range meat, homemade bread, freshly caught wild fish and impressive wine menu. The décor at Opus exudes a contemporary elegance, the soft grey and white fabrics adorning the tables, complimented by blush walls and modern lighting. Open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner and dinner only on Saturday.
Address: 54 Cormwall Street
Al Frash Balti RestaurantCity/Region: Birmingham
Birmingham Balti specialist, Al Frash has earned its reputation largely by word of mouth. A modern, slick and simply decorated restaurant, the aromatic Kashmiri dishes take center stage here. Serving up the best Balti in town, Chef Azam has been carefully preparing his renowned Balti dishes and curries for over six years. Be prepared for huge Nan breads and delicately infused flavors, not to mention attentive service. The restaurant is unlicensed so guests are advised to bring their own alcoholic refreshments. Open for dinner daily.
Address: 186 Ladypool Road, Sparkbrook
Café IkonCity/Region: Birmingham
Housed in the trendy Ikon Gallery complex, overlooking the canal areas, Café Ikon is the ideal venue for a relaxed lunch and pre theater snack. Specialising in tapas and Spanish cuisine sourced directly from local suppliers, guests get to select from an authentic and exhaustive tapas menu. A chic urban café ambiance resonates and is complimented by an international wine list and carefully presented food. Choose from the five different types of Paella or get adventurous with the selection of meat, seafood and vegetarian tapas dishes. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Closes at 6pm on Sunday.
Address: 1 Oozells Square, Brindley Place
Itihaas Indian RestaurantCity/Region: Birmingham
Awarded the Best Indian Restaurant in the UK at the 2007/8 Cobra Good Curry Guide, Itihaas is where contemporary dining meets traditional cuisine. Impeccable service, sophisticated décor and gourmet Indian food combine to create a memorable dining experience. Young entrepreneur Raj Rana says the restaurant is the materialization of his mantra, an old Indian custom, which translates into 'the guest is God'. Recommended meals include the lamb meatballs starter, delicately spiced with cardamom and cloves and for mains the khari maha jhinga, king prawns, pan fried and marinated in a thick masala gravy. Itihaas is open for lunch and dinner Monday to Friday and dinner only on Saturday and Sunday.
Address: 18 Fleet Street
SimpsonsCity/Region: Birmingham
This Michelin Star restaurant is renowned for both its fresh ingredients and inventive menu. Set in a picturesque garden setting, the restaurant overlooks rolling lawns and resonates a warm café atmosphere, ideal for a summer lunch or heart-warming evening meal in the death of winter. Offering both set menus and ordering a la carte, guests will be impressed by the seasonal variety. The summer menu boasts a tarte fine of Cornish mackerel, fennel salad, parmesan cheese, marinated tomato, black olives and basil. Any fish is a good idea for a mains, the Carpaccio of organic salmon, with chilli ginger dressing, spring onions and mustard cress taking the cake. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Address: 20 Highfield Road, Edgbaston
