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Tucked away just behind the Farringdon Road in London's trendy Clerkenwell area, is The Easton. Despite its less than obvious location it attracts a solid crowd of happy regulars who are more than pleased with their revamped local. This popular pub is a relaxed place to enjoy a few drinks but is perhaps best known for its particularly good pub food. On the menu you'll find a good choice of regularly changing specials that make the most of seasonal ingredients with dishes such as, fillet of sea bream with sorrel aioli and baby beetroot, in other words a far cry from your average pub menu.

Reviewed by Linda Buttle

Formerly an East London strip joint, the Easton has now taken a giant step upwards by joining the area's ever growing ranks of quality gastropubs.

Described as 'Australian country style cooking', a lot revolves around the use of the charcoal grill; dishes are chalked up on a blackboard and choices change frequently. Starters could include: Roast garlic and almond soup; linguine with chorizo, thyme, spinach, breadcrumbs and preserved lemon or blood orange, beetroot, green beans and goats' curd salad.

With main courses like: Chargrilled skate wing with a lemon and dill pilaf and salsa romesco; rack of Iamb stuffed with figs, walnuts and goats' cheese, served with morcilla, tomato and butter beans; rabbit, prune and pancetta pie with roast garlic mash and parsnips or Merguez sausages with couscous, harissa, yoghurt and lemon rocket.

Fresh strawberries, raspberries and blueberries with mint and white chocolate sauce; vanilla panna cotta with shortbread or mascarpone and chocolate tart could help you finish off the meal with style.

Richard Bradford

Set at the junction of Upper Woburn Place and a delightful Dickensian walkway, Number Twelve provides a relaxed atmosphere to diners who wish to engage in deep conversations without worrying about being overheard or disturbed. A neutral décor with pillar-box red accents and a stylish interior gives a modern, clean feeling to the dining area.

The kitchen takes advantage of the best produce the market has to offer and chef Stuart Lane has devised an impressive menu that covers a whole range of locally sourced ingredients from seafood, fowl, vegetarian and meat. Contemporary British cooking with an Italian undertone is on offer and you may expect the likes of poach sole fillets with herb crust, puree potato and garden vegetables or baked sea-bass served with new potato, green bean and pesto salad.

The well-travelled wine list has over 15 selections available by glass or by carafe to complement your meal.

North Sea Fish Restaurant has now become something of a classic in the fish and chips genre and its location on Leigh Street is significant as London's black cabdrivers seek to familiarise themselves with this landmark site whilst pursuing 'The Knowledge'. The abundance of black taxis outside maybe a good sign bettered only by the sight of some flavoursome fish and chips.

The small menu opens with starters of avocado vinaigrette, fresh melon and homemade vegetable soup or three large sardines grilled to perfection with a salad garnish. Then Dover sole, Scotch salmon, rainbow trout, skate, and fillets of cod, haddock or plaice could follow, all coated in a crispy batter, or in egg and matzo meal and then deep-fried. Those with a hearty appetite have the option of a jumbo portion, which can also be grilled. For an indulgent ending to a meal at North Sea Fish Restaurant you could count on a dessert of sherry trifle, tiramisu or crème caramel.

This landmark address is just as irresistible now as it was in those days when it served as a regular haunt for the Bloomsbury set of writers, intellectuals and artists. Today, following a £25million refurbishment and under the chic Radisson Edwardian brand, it still continues to be one among the most sought after hotels for the modern day Bloomsbury set.

The Bar and Restaurant is place where you could find guests enjoying the Bloomsbury style of hospitality in one way or the other; whether it's a cup of morning coffee, a working lunch or a cocktail before dinner in the evening. The well-presented menu offers plenty of choice ranging from duck liver and foie gras parfait with fig chutney and pan-fried fillet of sea bass with crab crust, puff pastry, cucumber spaghetti and spinach, garlic cream, to desserts like rhubarb stem ginger rice pudding with a jug of lime custard.

London's West End has its fare share of Japanese dining establishments, and Hakuba is one of the more stylish and sophisticated restaurants located on Great Russell Street. Its subtly lit interior reveals dark wood panelling and metal lampshades on the table and the walled booths are pleasant places to spend an evening with friends without intruding on other diners.

The menu encourages diners to share and after you're done with maki rolls such as kumo with a centre of crunchy soft shelled crab with avocado, cucumber, crab salad and a smelt roe sprinkle, or cocktail roll of tiger prawns, lettuce, avocado and a spicy sauce, move on to try their signature dishes like Polynesian style sashimi marinated in a poke sauce, or grilled papaya stuffed with prawn, scallop and peppers. Main courses are more about teriyaki, with grilled chicken, salmon, beef and pork versions, and in the end save space for a light dessert of green tea flavoured crème brûlée.