Get ready to whet your appetite and tantalise your tastebuds with our guide to eating out. And with Bookatable.com, making a reservation has never been easier!

Clos Maggiore
Cuisine: French
Location: 33 King Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8JD
Phone: 020 7379 9696
Price per head: £50    

Even in Covent Garden, the charming Clos Maggiore sits head and shoulders above its neighbouring eateries. Known as one of London’s most romantic restaurants, it certainly lives up to its reputation. An intimate conservatory adorned with blossom branches and fairy lights – with an open skylight for warmer evenings – transports you to provincial France. Everything about it has love in mind: the décor, friendly, welcoming staff and, most importantly, the evident passion that has gone into the food.

Tastebud-teasers include the amuse-bouche of black olive and anchovy tapenade with goat’s cheese and black truffle cream. Even the palate cleanser, a chilled Charentais melon soup with Parmesan and sesame soldiers, shines in its own right. The menu is wonderfully varied, while the wine list is a veritable bible, ranging from inexpensive but nonetheless wonderful wines to rare vintages, if you’re willing to break the bank. Luckily, there is a fantastic sommelier on hand to help you navigate the list.

Highlights are the starter of roasted duck foie gras and crisp confit duck leg, and – if there are two willing to share – the wood-fire-roasted, 28-day-matured Scottish côte de boeuf is divine.

Clos Maggiore offers a truly special and magical eating out experience, perfect for a special occasion with your other half.

The Pig Hotel
Cuisine: British
Location: Beaulieu Road, Brockenhurst, New Forest SO42 7QL
Phone: 015 9062 2354
Price per head: £50

This country restaurant with rooms has struck upon a winning formula. Ninety per cent of the ingredients it uses are sourced from within a 15-mile radius – whether from local farms, foraged in the forest or simply picked from the kitchen garden just outside its conservatory-style restaurant.  

If you’re lucky enough to stay in the hotel, you can join in with these foraging expeditions, explore the kitchen garden or check out the hotel’s own smokehouse in a converted garden shed. A must-try is The Pig’s home-smoked salmon; smoked for 24 hours in Brockenhurst honey, sugar, salt, white pepper and lemon zest, the flavours really shine through.

Many items on the menu change daily – sometimes hourly (from lunch to dinner, for example) – depending on what’s ripe in the garden or what forager Garry has found on his travels. Wild foraged mushrooms feature frequently – in the New Forest penny bun and ham risotto, for instance. Hotel guests who give the foraging trips a go can pick their own penny bun mushrooms the morning before.  

Other menu regulars include sirloin steak, venison and, of course, pork. But don’t worry, you won’t be eating the house pig pets! When in season, there are also mussels, trout and scallops from the Solent. Puds include a delicate treacle tart with orange cream and marigold flowers, and a mojito sorbet that packs a punch.

From the pig-adorned plates to the pots of herbs on every table, there is plenty of charm here. The laid-back atmosphere, décor and helpful, friendly service complete the picture.

Asia De Cuba
Cuisine: Asian
Location: 45 St Martins Lane, London WC2N 4HX
Phone: 020 7300 5588    
Price per head: £68    

The restaurant’s incredibly stylish interior, designed by Phillipe Starck, and vibrant atmosphere will set an exciting tone for your evening. The main dishes are designed to be shared family-style and come in really rather big portions. The mojitos are also magnificent.

The Asia de Cuba signature dish of calamari salad and beef dumplings makes a magnificent starter. The dumplings are succulent and cheeky, with mango soy sauce providing an innovative accompaniment, but this dish is all about the salad. The mix of flavours, the orange oil scent – it’s hard to describe adequately the sheer joy this salad brings when eaten.

The pan-seared ahi tuna with wasabi mash almost steals the show. It’s served almost rare – as it should be – and combined with the wasabi mash, it’s a taste sensation. The honey-rum-glazed pot roast of pork with a side of fantastic lobster mash is a gastronomic revelation. It’s amazing to even dream of such a culinary possibility – lobster and mash. Genius! All in all, Asia de Cuba is a fantastic dining experience.

Tempo
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 54 Curzon Street, Mayfair, London W1J 8PG
Phone: 020 7629 2742
Price per head: £40    

Restaurateur, Henry Togna, has created a dining experience that offers fine Italian cuisine at outstanding value. Chef Yoshi Yamada, with his Michelin-starred background, combines a passion for authentic Italian food with the occasional subtle nod to his native Japan. The coda di rospo – a monkfish carpaccio with shiso cress – is one delicious example.

The Venetian-style cicchetti are light bites designed for sharing, available both in the restaurant and the upstairs bar. The mouth-watering mozzarella with roasted peppers marinated in anchovies are a particular favourite. Other outstanding dishes from the main menu include lemon and basil gnocchi (as light as meringue) and an intense red pepper risotto perfectly balanced with pecorino and rosemary oil. The lobster linguini – a signature dish – with bisque, cherry tomato, chilli and basil is superbly creamy and perfectly cooked. Desserts included a divine lemon tart with a crispy, brûlée-style top.

It’s the details that ensure Tempo stands its ground in this exclusive area of London. From the fennel-infused grissini to impeccableflorentines, every element matches the restaurant’s understated elegance. A must-visit.

Watatsumi
Cuisine: Japanese
Location: 7 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BY
Phone: 020 7036 8520
Price per head: £45    

This stylish Japanese restaurant has an exciting menu devised by former Nobu head chef Peter Makohus. The extremely polite staff are very helpful and guide you through the menu choices.

The ‘omakase’ tasting menu allows you to experience a little of all the culinary delights on the menu.The sushi is particularly impressive, especially the signature volcano roll. Other dishes that really stand out are the blackened cod and wagyu beef. The restaurant’s signature mojito is delicious too! If you don’t have the appetite for the tasting menu, you can also order a very affordable bento box, or from the a la carte menu.

Watatsumi’s lovely tranquil atmosphere makes it the perfect venue for a quiet and relaxing meal, and would be a suitable choice for couples and small parties who appreciate beautifully presented high quality food, looking to spend an evening dining together in a calm environment but with a menu that provides excitement.

The Bingham

Cuisine: British
Location: 61-63 Petersham Road, Richmond TW10 6UT
Phone: 020 8948 8737
Price per head: £80    

Hidden down a leafy Richmond side street, the chic, elegant dining room of The Bingham Hotel is the perfect setting for a quiet evening of fine dining by the Thames. The set menu offers interesting choices, such as smoked eel risotto and squab pigeon, but, dessert menu aside, there are no vegetarian options.

The roast foie gras comes with an exotic hibiscus and blackcurrant syrup with miniature roasted sweet and sour turnips, and the braised oxtail is tender and falls apart at the touch, and is accompanied by little crispy parcels of bone marrow that add a new and interesting texture to the dish.
Mains are presented with painstaking attention to detail and look almost too good to eat. Aromatic grouse accompanied by truffle honey does not disappoint, and even the ‘safe’ cod option is decorated with sticks of crunchy squid and potato gnocchi.

The marshmallow dessert is topped with a palate-cleansing lemon sorbet and the strawberry parfait is presented in dainty chocolate parcels with black olive caramel and meringue.

A friendly and knowledgeable sommelier helps you make the best wine choice and the waiting staff are ever-present, but without any awkward hovering. If you can afford the prices, the gorgeous food definitely makes it money well spent.

Maison Touareg
Cuisine: Moroccan
Location: 23-24 Greek Street, Soho, London W1D 4DZ
Phone: 020 7439 1063 
Price per head: £35    

A North African restaurant and bar that celebrates its 25th birthday this year, Maison Touareg offers authentic Moroccan and Lebanese fusion food. The décor is reminiscent of Marrakesh, with vibrant colours, Moroccan-style cushions and dimly lit lanterns.

This is an exotic and authentic experience, with brisk and attentive service. Pastilla of chicken is a mouth-watering mezze to share – wafer-thin pastry is filled with moist, shredded chicken with a subtle hint of cinnamon. I could have smelled the beautifully aromatic lamb tagine from miles away. The light and fluffy couscous that comes with the tagine is delicious.

For those with a sweet tooth, the Moroccan baklava with almonds, pistachios and walnuts just melts in your mouth. Rounding off the meal with a cup of mint tea is a heavenly choice. The 10-minute belly dancing performance offers a side order of wow factor!

Dishoom
Cuisine: Indian
Location: 12 Upper St Martins Lane, London WC2H 9FB
Phone: 020 7420 9320
Price per head: £30    

A humble, buzzing restaurant, Dishoom serves up plates of honest, unpretentious cuisine that revives the tradition of Bombay cafés of the early 20th century. The vintage-chic décor creates an ambience of yesteryear with a modern influence, while its open kitchens offer extra excitement.

The food manages to be both traditional and extraordinary. Wholesome bowls of lentil soup – a creamy delight – and calamari fritters with just enough spice are highly recommended. The tikka is soft and succulent and the lamb biryani packed with delicate flavours. Other treats with an Asian twist are the flavoursome breads and pickles, plus innovative cocktails, such as the lychee champagne bellini and chilli martini.

Although it’s packed with theatregoers and city workers, the staff are helpful with recommendations. The hustle and bustle lends it some of the atmosphere of old Bombay in a relaxed and unpretentious setting. All in all, Dishoom is a fascinating, unusual and highly enjoyable experience.

Le Pont De La Tour
Cuisine: French
Location: 36D Shad Thames, London SE1 2YE
Phone: 020 7403 8403
Price per head: £65    

This restaurant, with a stunning riverside view of London Bridge, combines traditional yet innovative French cuisine with thoughtful design evoking Parisian chic of the 1930s. The service is warm and friendly and the interior is reminiscent of a dining room on a ship, from the pianist to walls adorned with framed pictures of ocean liners.

Starters are a sweet, refreshing bowl of chilled tomato gazpacho and a delicious plate of smoked salmon with potato and chive salad topped with a honey and mustard dressing. A stunning main dish is the duck parmentier (duck pie) with truffles, shallot and Medeira wine and a vegetarian truffle and ricotta ravioli with young vegetables is equally gorgeous. Both have light, delicate flavours.

The meal’s topped off with raspberry crème brûlée for dessert – the best dish of the night! Le Pont de la Tour is a sophisticated and elegant restaurant, great for dinner with friends or for a romantic date.

Manchurian Legends

Cuisine: Chinese
Location: 12 Macclesfield Street, Soho, London W1D 5BP
Price per head: £35    

In the heart of Chinatown, this Dongbei (Northeast China) style of cuisine is far removed from the other restaurants along this Soho strip. With a menu boasting the likes of pig knuckle and whole fish heads seasoned with chilli, this is Chinatown for the more adventurous diner. Pork and pickled vegetable dumplings offer a flavoursome initiation for Dongbei novices, with coriander and chilli sauce a refreshing accompaniment. Baked sea bass with chilli and ginger flakes off in delicate morsels and is a spectacle to behold. The golden crab makes a tasty and crispy accompaniment to the fish.

Although heartier fare, such as pig’s offal and chicken gizzards are the norm, there are other options if intestines don’t tickle your fancy. There are vegetarian options, as well as crispy duck and sweet-and-sour staples on the menu. With club classics pumping through the speakers, this is more of a party venue to kickstart a night out than a fine dining experience. Perfect if you’d like to try a different style of Chinese cuisine to what you are used to.

To book: 020 7437 8785

Bennett Oyster Bar
Cuisine: British
Location: 7-9 Battersea Square, London SW11 3RA
Price per head: £33    

This classic brasserie offers a welcoming atmosphere and the interior is warm and stylish, emanating 1930s elegance with modern touches. It prides itself on showcasing the best ingredients from around the British Isles. You can also head to the wine cellar for a tasting before you settle down for dinner. The restaurant and bar have the perfect level of background music and the place is far from empty on a Tuesday night.

The service is speedy and friendly, however, the task of deciding a starter and main might prove somewhat difficult – mainly because you might want everything! Allergy-free options aren’t highlighted on the menu but even if you’re wheat-free it won’t vastly limit your choices on this extensive menu. The food is all elegantly presented and perfectly cooked. The smoked wood pigeon starter, perfect in portion size and served with runner beans and pickled walnut, is delicious: the flavours and textures complement one another perfectly.

However, the highlight of the meal is the herb-crusted halibut. The fish is incredibly delicate – it’s served on a wonderfully creamy hollandaise mash and has a surprising sweetness that comes from the tasty hazelnut dressing.

This is an ideal night out if you want to enjoy an elegant meal in stylish surroundings without it being ostentatious or overpriced.

To book: 020 7223 5545, www.bennettsbrasserie.com

El Cantara
Cuisine: Spanish Moroccan
Location: 45 Frith Street, Soho, London W1D 4SD
Price per head: £35    

The plush Soho eatery gets busier as the night goes on and the volume of the music increases. The service is excellent, with your glasses diligently topped up throughout the meal. While the menu is varied, the vegetarian options are somewhat limited.

Starters of olives, hummus, Moroccan salad and garlic bread are delicious and appealing to the eye, as is the sea bass with couscous. The mixed grill and spicy patatas bravas are a highlight, with the patatas bravas cooked just right and not too spicy. The sea bass is cooked with a crispy skin, giving it extra juiciness. Couscous is light and fluffy and the meat juicy, tender and cooked to total perfection!

For dessert, the date and chocolate pudding topped with chocolate ice cream looks magnificent, and the taste leaves as much of a lasting impression as when the dessert is sitting enticingly on the plate.

There are many reasons to recommend this restaurant: the atmosphere and surroundings, the music and, above all, the food. The ingredients are fresh and the dishes flavoursome.

To book: 020 7494 9008, www.elcantara.co.uk

So Restaurant
Cuisine: Japanese
Location: 3-4 Warwick Street, London W1B 5LS
Price per head: £35    

Just off bustling Piccadilly, So Restaurant is an oasis of calm. Most of the diners are Japanese – a good sign that you can expect an authentic meal.
There’s a bar fashioned from a log of wood with sage-green leather seats where you can eat sushi on the go. In a bow to the traditional Japanese eating style, there’s also a low table for eight with legless stools, as well as conventional black tables. The sushi to share is truly delectable.

Combining three different types of sushi – maki (strips of fish rolled in rice and wrapped in seaweed), nigiri (a strip of fish with rice) and raw fish sashimi – the fish tastes as fresh as if it had just been hauled from the ocean. Blackened cod is served with tiny rolls of spinach and florets of broccoli, and the pièce de résistance is the grilled wagyu beef marinated in miso. Incredibly tender, it has a rich and buttery flavour.

The dessert menu includes exotic treats like yuzu – a Japanese fruit – served in a flan, which is a tangy, zingy delight, or tofu cheesecake which, combined with toffee ice cream is the perfect finale to any meal. Finish up with some green tea.The experience is ‘subarashii’ – ‘magnificent’ to you and me!

To book: 020 7292 0767, www.sorestaurant.com

Sushi Gaga Korean
Cuisine: Japanese, Korean
Location: 16 Lisle Street, Soho, London WC2H 7BE
Price per head: £35    

From the outside, this restaurant looks more like a ‘quick bite’ place, but you will be pleasantly surprised. The gourmet sushi restaurant is open plan so diners can see the chef cooking, a very refreshing aspect – it’s good to see the kitchen is as clean and well-kept as it is frenetic.

The waitresses are on hand to explain everything on the menu, recommending specialities and traditional food. There’s a wide choice, with plenty for vegetarians, plus cooked meats as well as raw. The sushi is super fresh and made to order, and the fish comes from sustainable sources. Waitress queries on diners’ food allergies are a thoughtful policy. The portions are generous and they make an effort to make the presentation beautiful using traditional oriental plates and dishes, which adds a nice touch. The food is delicious and flavoursome, the décor pleasant with fun and colourful lanterns on the ceiling and music that’s more Western than Oriental.

Good for both big groups and couples, this offers an authentic Japanese experience in the heart of London’s Chinatown.

To book: 020 7287 6606, www.sushigaga.com

The Dining Room
Cuisine: British
Location: Park Road, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire SL2 4PG
Price per head: £70

Stoke Park is a magnificent country house set within 350 acres oflandscaped, historic gardens. You may recognise it from the films Goldfinger, Bridget Jones’s Diary and Layer Cake. If you aren’t able to stay there, eating at The Dining Room (now open to everyone rather than just the hotel guests) allows you a taste of the menu by excellent chef Chris Wheeler while taking in stunning views of the house’s beautiful grounds.

The grand Dining Room is spacious, yet elegant and warm. Sitting next to one of the huge windows, you can look out over the stunning gardens while pondering the menu. There’s not a long list to choose from, but it’s worth taking your time to peruse each delectable-sounding dish from this award-winning chef.

Starters include Dorset crab, which is arranged to look like a piece of art with a soft-boiled quail’s egg at the very top, crowned in caviar. Exquisite. The royal Berkshire pork is also beautifully cooked and wonderfully presented.

The mains and dessert are just as divine, each mouthful deserving an exclamation of pleasure. The service is attentive and not overbearing, making it really pleasant evening. And for a feast of three courses, this is an experience you’ll want to relive again and again!

To book: 01753 717171, www.stokepark.com

* Prices are based on an average three-course meal including wine.

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