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hand picked restaurants

The growing interest in Mediterranean cuisine cannot be underestimated, and much of its popularity lies in the flexible cooking techniques, its range of ingredients and regional variations. It's also heartening to note that there are still a few places in London cosy enough to bring a smile to a diner's face, and where the chefs know how to balance flavours with care. Mem and Laz is one such restaurant, doing brisk business on Theberton Street for over ten years, with their longevity revealing that they must be certainly doing a few things right.

The quality of the food is certainly among them and the kitchen clearly harbours a soft spot for Turkish cuisine, evident in the pepper dolma stuffed with toasted pine kernels, aromatic rice and black currants, whilst Greece makes an occasional appearance with lamb kleftico and moussaka layered with potatoes, aubergine, mixed peppers, courgettes and carrots. The dessert course at Mem and Laz migrates to the British shores with a banoffee pie and bread and butter pudding.

A refreshingly different fusion of Mediterranean, European and Moroccan influences tinges the menu favourably at Cruse 9 on Halliford Street. The simple and almost austere interiors counterpoint the colourful food that appears from the kitchen. Chef Taher Djeebet fuses different tastes and textures in seemingly odd combinations, presenting them with panache.

For starters, fresh mussels steamed in Aspall cyder and lemon juice with dill and crispy seaweed is an example of just one of his unusual combinations while an assiette of duck with duck magret, stuffed leg and seared foie gras served on caramelised apples with calvados and a white port sauce is an interesting choice amongst mains. Vegetarian options are worthy of note, with spiced butternut squash with minted yoghurt and fragrant basmati rice. The fusion theme extends to the desserts with the dark chocolate torte with wild berries and a berry coulis to share making an upbeat appearance.

The name might bear some resemblance to the capital city of Ethiopia and so does the décor but the idea of serving starters before a meal veers in a different direction. Usually an Ethiopian meal eschews the concept of appetisers, but Addis Restaurant chose to buck the trend and go all out to offer small nibbles that prepare the palate for delights that follow. The decorative elements intermingle well, with artefacts and hand-woven tables set against sunset coloured walls, and the atmosphere speaks of festivity and joyful bonhomie.

Delicately flavoured sardines stuffed with fresh herbs and spices, and deep fried aubergine salad, covered in rich tahini and yogurt butter sauce make an appearance first, and then turn to a special kitfo, lean minced beef prepared with spinach mixed with cottage cheese and Ethiopian butter, or bozena shiro, chickpeas prepared with special spices and cooked with lamb cubes.

Finally don't miss out on Addis' full Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

Jamon Jamon on Parkway serves authentic Spanish tapas in the heart of Camden Town. Ham is the restaurant's signature dish and hence the name, which in Spain also denotes vigour and the passion for life Guests dining here can relax and unwind in a pleasant, sociable atmosphere while enjoying great food at very reasonable prices. 

The menu includes a range of vegetarian, meat and seafood tapas with tempting dishes such as Galician green peppers sprinkled with sea salt, large bread crumbed mussels stuffed with squid, onion and peppers, prawns cooked in olive oil, garlic and chilli peppers, stir fried pork loin marinated in white wine, garlic and oregano and beef casserole. Other options include traditional Spanish tablas which offers a selection of thinly cut meats and hams as well as Manchego cheeses, all served on wooden platters, and the restaurant makes its own special paella fresh to order every day.

A range of fine Spanish wines including red and white Rioja, Tempranillo and Castellblanch rosé quench the thirst. A variety of authentic Spanish coffees rounds off the meal nicely.

Comfort, luxury and style are but a few of the plus points one expects to find in a hotel and Melia White House in Regent's Park manages to tick all the boxes. The bedrooms have been furnished to a high standard infusing classic and contemporary elements, but the mood at the Place Restaurant is slightly more informal with a brasserie style atmosphere.

There is a good range of tapas such as grilled king prawns, Parma ham with grissini, and calamari with tzatziki dip. Chef's specials include beef or chicken fajitas, beer battered cod and chips, and lamb or chicken curry with basmati rice, and the desserts excel too with caramelised apple sponge with mascarpone and spicy sauce, and rich chocolate bant with crème fraîche and mango coulis.

Melia White House is also well-placed to provide easy access to some of the most famous tourist sights and shopping streets in London.

The Drapers Arms at Barnsbury Street has all the makings of a neighbourhood pub, and it now arrives completely repackaged to keep the gastro flag flying high. This Ben Maschler-Nick Gibson venture seeks to draw the Islington crowd into it's clean Georgian interior spread over two floors - the bar area which extends to the garden at the ground level and the first floor dining room.

The daily changing menu is a tribute to the seasons and bounty of the earth, and Head Chef Karl Goward and his team manage to awaken palates with starters of potted pork and pickles, brown crab on toast and globe artichoke with vinaigrette. Main courses of asparagus, duck egg and chives; roast 'saltmarsh' lamb with courgettes, saffron and garlic, and pot-roast guinea-fowl with bacon and lettuce, confirms your admiration for traditional cooking.

With names like Harvey's, Spitfire and Black Sheep staging an appearance on the drinks list, there's no better way to explain the no-frills philosophy at The Drapers Arms.

This friendly Italian restaurant has enjoyed good trade ever since opening its doors back in 1998. Pasta Plus is conveniently close to Euston station, thereby making it a good stop-off point for those meeting friends off a train after a long journey, but they also welcome those who are seeking a light afternoon or evening meal.  Tables situated in the light and airy conservatory are particularly well sought after and worth booking.

The menu is littered with tasty pizzas as well as plenty of rich risottos and plentiful pasta, such as the ever-popular spaghetti al ragù and the classic cannelloni. Those who love piscatorial pursuits without having to actually move too far from the table will be content with the seasonal monkfish escalope in a saffron and prawn sauce, and pan-fried fillet of sea bass.

Lina's special wine selection at Pasta Plus features one of the best wines from Tuscany, a Tignanello, which is a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Carluccio's was started by Antonio and Priscilla Carluccio as a small café and shop stocking Italian food and ingredients in 1991, and grew into a restaurant serving authentic cuisine at sensible prices in 1999. Antonio is an expert on food and has been a wine merchant, restaurant manager and owner, cookery expert on television and author of twelve cookery books. It is therefore not surprising, that today Carluccio's has over fourty-nine outlets across the UK.

Antonio believes Italian cookery involves minimum fuss and maximum flavour. This is exactly what his restaurants try to do by using fresh produce, and working largely with families who make things the traditional way - with care. Their passion also translates into special events like hands-on cookery classes and recipe sharing, Antonio and his team regularly organise for interested guests. They also offer takeaways and a catering service.

The breakfast menu offers croissants and breads served with butter and preserves or honey and free range eggs, either scrambled or fried and served with pancetta or ciabatta. They also have long cured Parma ham and healthier options like muesli and fruits. These are best had with coffee, tea or freshly squeezed juice. Carluccio's offers an impressive list of white, red, rosé and sparkling wines which complement your meal.

The restaurants offer a range of soup and salads which give your meal a nutritious start before moving on to the mains. If you like pasta, enjoy the small filled parcels served in a ham and cream sauce, or sample the Neapolitana spaghetti with whole fresh clams, garlic, herbs and chilli. The branzino con salsa e patate, fillet of pan fried sea bass served with tomato salsa and sautéed potatoes and Somerset rib-eye steak with rosemary potatoes, called bistecca di bue con patate, are good options too. If you are looking for something lighter, you could opt for the numerous sides called contorni and panini.

In the Tuscany region of Italy, meals end simply with almond biscuits dipped in a sweet local wine, Vin Santo and eaten. You can enjoy that experience at Carluccio's, or settle for a more conventional dolci of tiramisu, warm chocolate and kahlua pudding, your choice of Italian cheeses or gelatos in different flavours.

The Lord Stanley on Camden Park Road has all the elements of a classic English pub with an informal atmosphere and no-frills cooking. Panelled walls, minimalist furnishings and a cosy ambience contribute to the laid-back feel, and in summer months punters can enjoy an outdoor meal in the private walled garden, which offers an oasis of calm in the bustling heart of Camden.

The menu is classic Mediterranean inspired gastro pub cooking, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and herbs to create flavoursome dishes. Noteworthy dishes include prosciutto and gorgonzola risotto with sage, crispy pork belly and frisee salad with roast garlic and croutons, and roast cod with rosemary, split peas and roast red onion. A dessert of chocolate and almond cake with passion fruit, or lemon posset and shortbread could provide a fitting finale. An expertly chosen wine list features a host of tasty new and old world bottles.

At weekends The Lord Stanley is also open for breakfast from 9am to 11.30, offering a hearty traditional fry up or healthier options such as yoghurt, fruit salad and homemade granola.