London: Restaurants

1 Lombard Street

You'll find no shortage of smart restaurants in London, but this City favourite still draws gasps, along with comments like “You lucky thing!”. It is truly exceptional. The menu offers contemporary French and European dishes like scallops with barigoule artichoke tortellini and lardons, and squab pigeon with chorizo and chickpea rissoles. There's a comprehensive wine list featuring regional French wines and Champagnes. The beautiful venue

Address: 1 LOMBARD STREET. | Tel: +44 (0)20 7929 6611
108 MARYLEBONE LANE

A delight in the heart of London, 108 sources many of its ingredients from local artisan suppliers. Chef Norman Farquharson's classic cuisine includes the likes of Biggles Sausages served with mustard mash and cider apple sauce.

Address: 108 MARYLEBONE LANE. | Tel: +44 (0)20 7969 3900
1901

Set in a huge room with a marble cocktail bar as the centrepiece, 1901 tries and succeeds at not looking like a restaurant. Yet the menu, divided by price and animal, serves up some delightful modern fare, such as roast venison with artichoke puree.

Address: 40 LIVERPOOL STREET. | Tel: +44 (0)20 7618 7000
2VENETI

2Veneti (pictured) is a romantic slice of Venice in London's West End. Once you've made your way through starters like courgette hearts stuffed with mozzarella, I dare you not to swoon when you try the duck in bigoli pasta: the phrase “melt-inthe- mouth” has never been more apt.

Address: 10 WIGMORE STREET. | Tel: +44 (0)20 7637 0789
ALBION

Rather than trying to impress with painstakingly sculpted microfood on massive plates, the Albion actually does impress the old fashioned way: with excellent, hearty dishes served on plates that can barely contain them.

Address: 2-4 BOUNDARY STREET. | Tel: +44 (0)20 7729 1051
AQUA NUEVA

The newest branch of Aqua's foray into London completes the trifecta: Aqua Kyoto, Aqua Spirit and now Aqua Nueva. It's Spanish, yes, but takes as much inspiration from el Bulli et al as from traditional cuisine. Start with a cocktail on the huge terrace overlooking Regent Street.

Address: 30 ARGYLL STREET. | Tel: +44 (0)20 7478 0540
BAVARIAN BEERHOUSE

Waitresses stroll about in dirndl dresses at this boisterous pubrestaurant, styled like a traditional Bavarian beer hall. In May, try their prized white asparagus with Black Forest ham, or pork schnitzel with new potatoes and Hollandaise sauce. Wash down with German beers or fig vodka.

Address: 190 CITY ROAD. | Tel: +44 (0)844 330 2005
BINGHAM

This Michelin-star British restaurant has three interconnecting event rooms, set amid landscaped gardens overlooking the River Thames. Festive feasts include turkey with apple and sage stuffing, and spiced bread-andbutter pudding with mulled pears. Check out their Oscars dinners for a night to remember.

Address: 61–63 PETERSHAM ROAD. | Tel: +44 (0)20 8940 0902

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London: Restaurants

A delight in the heart of London, 108 sources many of its ingredients from local artisan suppliers. Chef Norman Farquharson's classic cuisine includes the likes of Biggles Sausages served with mustard mash and cider apple sauce.

Set in a huge room with a marble cocktail bar as the centrepiece, 1901 tries and succeeds at not looking like a restaurant. Yet the menu, divided by price and animal, serves up some delightful modern fare, such as roast venison with artichoke puree.

2Veneti (pictured) is a romantic slice of Venice in London's West End. Once you've made your way through starters like courgette hearts stuffed with mozzarella, I dare you not to swoon when you try the duck in bigoli pasta: the phrase “melt-inthe- mouth” has never been more apt.

Rather than trying to impress with painstakingly sculpted microfood on massive plates, the Albion actually does impress the old fashioned way: with excellent, hearty dishes served on plates that can barely contain them.

The newest branch of Aqua's foray into London completes the trifecta: Aqua Kyoto, Aqua Spirit and now Aqua Nueva. It's Spanish, yes, but takes as much inspiration from el Bulli et al as from traditional cuisine. Start with a cocktail on the huge terrace overlooking Regent Street.

Waitresses stroll about in dirndl dresses at this boisterous pubrestaurant, styled like a traditional Bavarian beer hall. In May, try their prized white asparagus with Black Forest ham, or pork schnitzel with new potatoes and Hollandaise sauce. Wash down with German beers or fig vodka.