Piragua, La

Most people consider that a visit to La Piragua definitely warrants meandering off the normally well-beaten tourist route by taking a safari to Islington, the North London Borough that was formerly the home of the family Blair - the Prime Minister, I mean.

The locals would all beg me not to reveal the secret of where they go to enjoy very reasonably priced Latin American food; they also find that the steaks, wonderful Argentine beef, are fantastic value.

Much of the menu is deliberately kept quite simple, with some old favourites like Chilli con carne, but also with more unusual dishes like Sancocho - chicken in a rich broth with plantain, cassava & avocado, or Cazuela de mariscos, seafood stew. When the quality is maintained at such a high level, who needs anything too complicated?

Friendly service compensates for the fact that there is not a lot of elbowroom, whilst the place positively oozes character. Altogether it is great fun, excellent standards, a sensible bill, you really couldn't ask for more and it is thoroughly recommended by many as a good spot to meet up with a group of friends - even if the proprietors would possibly prefer rather less riotous parties.