Bistro One Ninety Queen's Gate

It's the favourable mingling of the quirky with the chic that helps Bistro One Ninety stand apart from the crowd and, once you're there, you're bound to agree that the décor with all those gilt mirrors and numerous framed pictures lends a unique sort of appeal to the place. Its location at the Gore Hotel in Queen's Gate is helpful as they have a strong line of pre-theatre fare, timed to coincide with the events at the nearby Royal Albert Hall. Even if that is not so, a visit there is justified for the sake of the delicious and wonderful food on offer amid such a lively atmosphere.

While this is not your typical bistro cuisine, Bistro One Ninety is noted for the perfect execution of whatever they choose to undertake and it's quite easy to sample that perfection in the lunch time menu which could start with duck ballontine with herb toast or mixed tomato and red onion brie tart with pesto dressing. Followed by herb crusted perch fillet with ratte potatoes and sweet dill dressing or maybe the pork loin saltimbocca with marsala sauce and egg noodles, the main course becomes a celebration of tastes and flavours.

From the extensive à la carte featuring around six choices of starters, the creamy saffron risotto with fresh seafood gets off to a splendid start while rope grown mussels steamed in cider and lemon juice served with crispy seaweed make for an interesting alternative. Smooth chicken liver pâté with homemade bread and tomato chutney follows the well trodden path and is easily a favourite amongst many.

Moving on to the mains of which there are at least eleven, there's a crispy skin sea bass on a bed of vegetable julienne, tossed in lobster butter or an unusually fruity Hampshire pork fillet stuffed with apricots and Indian spices served with coconut risotto and caramelised bananas. If you prefer more hearty options, there's always the steak, a 28 day aged rib eye, with triple cooked chips, garlic mushroom and balsamic cherry potatoes.

Don't miss the desserts particularly the apple pie with vanilla custard or the piquantly delectable rhubarb and chilli crumble with lemongrass crème Anglais. The black forest tart with black cherries and white toffee sauce is the ultimate indulgence if you've given up on counting calories.

Bar 190 is quite the most perfect place to hang out for an evening with friends over a few chilled beers or a glass of wine. Going by the buzz there, you might realise that many others, including celebrities, from the film, television, advertising and publishing world, have also reached the same conclusion. With its ornate plaster ceiling and mahogany panelled walls it's more like a private club and this world famous candle lit bar attracts its fair share of fascinating personalities.

Their VIP area is called Cinderella's Carriage and is a private area that can be booked for a pre-post theatre/dinner party or for the whole evening for a maximum of 6 people adding a whole new element to the clubbing scene. The drinks list offers a variety of fine wines, vintage champagnes, beers as well as liqueurs and cocktails. Don't miss their extensive range of mojitos, tequilas and martinis too.

Their Website provides more information about the bar, their menus, as well as special events and offers.