Wine & Dine

West End

Alphabet Bar £
Address: 61-63 Beak Street, Soho. W1R 3LF
Tel: +44 (0)20 7439 2190
The worn-wooden floors and downstairs seating at Alphabet are shabby-chic to a tee. This classic Soho bar has been a favourite for many years, which is not surprising considering that if you can’t find your favourite amongst the 30 strong cocktail list, the friendly staff are on-hand to mix any drink of your choice. A well priced bar menu adds to this quality venue for the more discerning drinker.

Asia de Cuba ££
Address: St Martin’s Hotel, 45 St Martin's Lane, WC2N 4HX
T: +44 (0)20 7300 5588
One of the most fashionable restaurants to be seen in, Asia de Cuba is a where the ‘beautiful’ people go to eat. Located in the trendy St Martin’s Lane Hotel surrounded by the contemporary designs of Philippe Stark you can enjoy their Asian and Latin fusion dishes served from their ‘Wagyu Menu’  where you are given three dishes to share. For dessert why not indulge in their coconut invasion, Cuban coffee brownies or mini Mexican doughnuts.

Coq d'Argent ££
Address: No1 Poultry, EC2R 8EJ
T: +44 (0)20 7395 5000
Dine in style at this alfresco Conran restaurant. Coq d’Argent boasts itself as being one of the most remarkable rooftops in London and has a French cuisine menu to match which changes every six weeks inline with the changing seasons and fresh produce. The menu includes dishes such as Terrine de foie gras, Coq au vin and fruits de Mer. For a more informal experience visit on a Sunday when this usually formal restaurant terrace offers a jazz brunch.

Momo at Selfridges ££
Address: 2nd floor, Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB
Tel: +44 (0)20 7318 3620
The perfect resting place for weary feet, Momo is a haven for Selfridges’ shoppers who enjoy fine food. This is primarily an informal lunch venue, but it’s also open for brunch, afternoon tea & all-day snacks. And, should the pressure of shopping get too much, it's possible to retreat with a cocktail and a hookah pipe to the tent-like smoking room.

The Westbury Restaurant £££
Address: The Westbury Hotel, Conduit Street, W1S 2YF
T: +44 (0)20 7629 7755
This old school restaurant draws in diners with its book-lined walls, wooden floor and large open fireplace. The menu offers a range of contemporary, cosmopolitan dishes, uniting influences from around the world with good old British classics. Save some room for dessert though, for with this delicious array of sweets, your taste buds will never forgive you if you miss out.

Yauatcha £££
Address: 15 Broadwick Street, W1F 0DL
T: +44 (0)20 7494 8888
Little parcels of golden treasure at Yauatcha make dim sum as a cheap meal a thing of the past, but these exquisite offerings, and the many other tantalising dishes Yauatcha has to offer, will make your taste buds dizzy. The teahouse upstairs adds to the experience of this strikingly glamorous new offering form the owner of last year’s restaurant favourite, and Michelin-starred, Hakkasan.  

West London

Bluebird ££
Address: 350 Kings Road, SW3 5UU
T: +44 (0)20 7559 1000
Whether you’re looking for breakfast, a quiet drink with friends, Lunch, dinner or a spot of afternoon tea, Bluebird is the perfect venue. Currently celebrating its 10th Birthday the Conran owned Bluebird has undergone some what of a facelift revealing a new more sophisticated stylised restaurant. Located right in the heart of Chelsea the emphasis of Bluebird is on classic British dining at its finest using ingredients sourced directly from British farms. Dishes include Chicken and mushroom pie made with Goosnargh maize fed chicken and cépe mushrooms. If it’s a light bite you are after try the fruit scones with Devonshire clotted cream. Alternatively take a quick visit to The Bluebird Epicerie gourmet food shop where you can stock up on a range of fresh seasonal produce to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.

Cocoon ££
Address: 65 Regent Street, W1B 4EA
T: +44 (0)20 7494 7600
Award winning Cocoon, set in the heart of London offers the perfect location to sample their pan-Asian cuisine blending Chinese, Thai and Japanese spices as well as offering a host of fusion desserts including assam chocolate fondant with vanilla ice-cream, a dish not to be missed. Made up of 6 ‘cocoons’ this ultra chic restaurant is another top favourite among the elite, celeb diners include; Scarlett Johansson, Nicole Kidman and Yasmin Le Bon.

Eight Over Eight ££
Address: 392 King's Road, London SW3 5UZ
T: +44 20 7349 9934
Eight Over Eight, situated on the ever fashionable Kings Road in Chelsea, lives up to its stylish location, offering a buzzing bar and fabulous pan-Asian menu to make this is one of London's best dining experiences.

Harlem ££
Address: 78 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5RT
T: +44 (0)20 7985 0900
This upmarket Notting Hill offering serves traditional New York breakfast from 8.00am during the week as well as NY style deli sandwiches for lunch and steakhouse style cuts of beef for dinner – all surrounded by a funky, yet comfy, decor. Live soul, blues and hip-hop are played in the bar until 2.00am Mon-Sat.

East London

Great Bistrotheque ££
Address: 23-27 Wadeson Street, E2
T: +44 (0)20 8983 7900
This minimalist yet contemporary restaurant brings sophistication to East London combining French and British cuisine in dishes such as whole lobster with chips and veal t-bone with corned beef hash for main and apple and mango crumble with butterscotch sauce for dessert. Set in the unlikely surroundings of Bethnal Green this unusual restaurant has an air of fun to it. Combining entertainment with dining the restaurant features it own cabaret room with performances most nights of the week, definitely a great night out for those who prefer a rather different post dining experience. 

Great Eastern Dining Room ££
Address: 54 Great Eastern Street, Old Street EC2A 3QR
T: +44 20 7613 4545
With a great looking venue and fantastic Pan-Asian food, the Great Eastern Dining Room has staked a worthy claim in fashionable Shoreditch. This lively space is decked out in a modern, minimalist style with dramatic lighting and lots of comfortable funiture. Whats cooking? Loads of Asian favourites such as dim sum, sushi and tempura to Thai favourites.

Rhodes Twenty Four £££
Address: 24th Floor, Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, London. EC2N 1HQ
T: +44 (0)20 7877 7703
This 24th-floor and restaurant is always packed to the rafters, and this is not just down to it’s stunning views of the city. With Gary Rhodes in the helm as Head Chef, the menu offers a wide range of modern European food with a distinctly British twist. With an extensive wine list poured by approachable staff, this restaurant is a must for those who prefer their room with a view.

North London

Fredericks ££
Address: Camden Passage, Islington, N1 8EG
T: +44 (020) 7359 2888
In the heart of the famous Camden Passage antiques corner lies this modern yet family run restaurant. One of Islington’s longest-serving eateries Frederick’s provides consistent high quality food and friendly service. You can dine in the garden room underneath the stunning glass vaulted ceiling or in milder weather enjoy you food and drinks on the patio or in the restaurants own garden. House specialities include: Roast fillet of sea bream, smoked garlic mash and oyster mushrooms and Dover sole with roasted beetroot. For dessert why not try Tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream or Mango créme brûlée with biscotti.

Gilgamesh ££
Address: Camden Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AH
T: +44 (020) 7482 5757
One of the most unique, dramatic and visually striking conceptual venues in London 
Gilgamesh exudes glamour and opulence with its velvet seating, carved walls and retractable roof panelled ceiling. The huge venue which can accommodate over 800 people is divided into four distinct seating areas including the Pan Asian Restaurant, a Tea House terrace, a Bar and lounge and a VIP ‘Babylon’ lounge bar. The menu offers a wide selection including Dim Sum, Sushi and set ‘taster menus’ offering an eight course selection of varied dishes. There is also an extensive drinks list covering wines, champagnes, spirits and a whole host of cocktails with all this choice on offer there is no excuse not to visit this restaurant which provides an experience within itself.