Dining in London

It may surprise you to hear that Britain´s favourite food is ... Chicken Tikka Masala! The popularity of Indian cuisine, or the British version of it, means that you will find Indian restaurants in practically every neighbourhood in London. but Brick Lane is the most known area. Traditional English restaurants are much rarer (if you want roast beef or saddle of mutton the best bet is still Simpson´s-in-the-Strand, 100 the Strand, WC2, tel. +44 (0)20 7836 9112). Although English cuisine has seen a revival and a renewal in the restaurants and recipes of celebrated chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White and Fergus Henderson. Between the curry and the Welsh rarebit, just about every other cuisine in the world is represented in London, and often at a world-class level. This is particularly true of major cuisines such as Italian, Chinese, French and Indian.

Locanda Locatelli
Undoubtedly one of the best Italian restaurants in London at present. Locatelli's culinary style can be described as rustic regional food delivered with urban panache. One of their best dishes is the tagliatelle al ragù di capretto, handmade tagliatelle with kid goat ragù.
Address: 8 Seymour Street, W1.
Subway: Marble Arch.
Phone: +44 (0)20 7935 9088.

J Sheekey
Situated in the middle of London's Theatre land, this has long been the before-and-after-theatre restaurant, discreet and also very elegant. It's also London's best restaurant for seafood - dressed crab with grated egg and parsley, delicately flavoured sea trout, shrimps with brown butter. J Sheekey attracts a lot of A list celebrities these days, so booking is absolutely essential.
Address: 28-32 StMartin's Court, WC2.
Subway: Leicester Square.

Shepherd's
The interior of this power restaurant (near the Houses of Parliament) resembles an old fashioned club and the food consists of traditional English dishes such as juicy marinated lamb, Cumberland sausages, fish cakes and an impressive assortment of pies.
Address: Marsham Court, Marsham Street, SW1.
Subway: Pimlico.,
Phone: +44 (0)20 7834 9552.

Haandi
One of the best and certainly most luxurious of London's many Indian restaurants, it's also conveniently close to Harrods's, Harvey Nichol's and Sloane Street. The cuisine is a modern take on traditional dishes from the Punjabi region of North India.
Address: 7 Cheval Place, SW3.
Subway: Knightsbridge.
Phone: +44 (0)20 7823 7373.

Duke of Cambridge
At the rustic Duke of Cambridge in Islington, there are no fast Asian fusion dishes - only slow and carefully prepared meals with organic ingredients. Most dishes go well with a pint of Saint Peter's Organic Bitter.
Address: 30 Saint Peters Street, N1.
Subway: Angel.
Phone: +44 (0)20 7359 3066.

Destino
A hip and very nice South American restaurant. Try the duck tortillas and grilled lamb in banana leaves.
Address: 25 Swallow Street, close to Regent Street, W1.
Subway: Bond Street.
Phone: +44 (0)20 7437 9885

Mr Chow
An institution and simply the best Chinese restaurant in London. The interior positively oozes discreet glamour, with smoked mirrors and walnut furniture, and the dishes are even better than rumoured: hand-pulled pasta served with minced pork and sweet bean sauce, Beijing Chicken with walnuts.
Address: 151 Knightsbridge, SW1.
Subway: Knightsbridge.
Phone: +44 (0)20 7589 7347.

The Wolseley
Regarded by many as the best of the latest crop of new restaurants in London. Housed in a former car showroom, it has been turned into an elegant old-style "Grand Café." The food is a mix of modern European and classic brassiere food: omelettes aux fines herbes with frites, marinated herring with potato salad.
Address: 160 Piccadilly, W1
Subway: Green Park
Phone: +44 (0)20 7499 6996