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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.

Head to the corner of Delancey Street and Arlington Road, watch out for a logo of a staid-looking goose wearing a crown, and walk through the inconspicuous façade between the hanging baskets for a full on Crown and Goose experience. Inside you will find a traditional pub that's almost always busy with a distinct warm and friendly atmosphere.

The menu lists standard gastropub fare with a few surprises thrown in, so there could be pan-fried pigeon breast on pearl barley risotto and pea shoot salad, and nero pappardelle with baby pumpkin and tomato fondue. Main courses are presented with equal gusto, inside out braised bacon and cheese burger with triple cooked chips, tomato and chilli relish, and crab and smoked salmon fishcakes with mango and pawpaw salsa. Lime and lemon grass crème brûlée and black and blueberry Pavlova with jasmine tea sauce make for a fitting finale.

Tikino in Hurdwick Place offers a selection of Italian food in a pleasant comfortable setting. Its informal ambience of tiled floors, neutral décor and ornate wrought iron tables makes it ideal for a laidback meal.

Begin lunch or dinner with bruschetta with wild mushrooms, king prawns in a jalapeno, chilli and tomato sauce, deep fried breaded mozzarella or smoked salmon and avocado. Continue with pizza with toppings of tomato, mozzarella and fresh Italian pork sausage, spaghetti with clams in a white wine sauce or risotto with a selection of seafood and tomato sauce. Mains options include grilled seasoned fillet of beef with wild mushroom sauce, pan fried veal with white wine and lemon juice, lamb cutlets with mint sauce or grilled sausages with polenta topped with tomato sauce and fresh basil. Top a satisfying selection with tiramisu, cassata Siciliana or tartufo Nero. The house white or red wine refreshes the palate.

A recently opened pub in Islington, just round the corner from Tony Blair's former pad. The interiors are unshakeably Georgian, but outside is a fine garden based on the way it appears in pictures taken during the 1930s. This is a wonderful place to enjoy a few pints and pretend that the lush greenery around you is entirely of your own making and you are merely enjoying the fruits of your labours.

However, in those years when we have a summer the floral fragrance tends to be flavoured with that great British institution, the barbecue. Not that they are anything but very good barbies, it's just that nobody has yet devised a suitable method of fume extraction.

Inside, against a background of silk sofas, comfortable arm chairs, with wooden floors, good British food is served, along the lines of roasted mackerel with Jersey Royals, Cornish crab soup, slow roast Gloucester Old Spot with honey roast parsnips and sweet red cabbage, a very nifty shepherd's pie with pea shoot salad, whole roast suckling pig and rhubarb crumble with ice cream.

This is a jolly place with a minimum of formality, good value for money and a real oasis for Islington.

For a contemporary Indian dining experience, in the heart of London, one needs to look no further than Zeen. Drawing inspiration from modern Indian culture and London's eclectic culinary mix, this restaurant fuses the freshest ingredients with a passion for innovation that creates a menu with many outstanding dishes. Vibrant interiors create a warm ambiance in the restaurant and bar areas and the staff's commitment to service ensures every visit is a pleasure.

Duck tossed with onions and peppers in spices and crab cooked with garlic butter sauce offer you quite a variation within the starters. An order of Kashmiri rogan josh brings to the table succulent pieces of lamb prepared with a secret mix of spices from the land of the valleys. The staples of wheat and rice are present in abundance, providing choices such as lemon pilau, garlic rice and traditional breads.

Public House on Islington Park Street seems to have a good dose of modern and unconventional decor set off by their brooding traditional atmosphere that makes it such a favourite amongst Londoners in this part of the city. Dark wooden floors gleam in the low lit atmosphere, creating a convivial mood that's best for a bout of drinking or dining with friends. It's the kind of place that's quirky without being obvious about it, a fact that is as endearing as it's exciting, perfect for after work meetings with friends.

The menu combines modern European fare with a slight casual twist, giving you starters such as ballotine of foie gras with pear chutney and homemade pistachio and almond bread followed up expertly by a main course of lamb cutlets with caponata, figs and rocket salad. Finally, finish with the exotic bourbon flambéed banana with cinnamon cream while the cheese plate is also an excellent alternative. Choose your tipple from an extensive range of wines, beers and champagnes alongside some fancy drinks and cocktails.

If pop music, pizza and a party atmosphere is what you're looking for, then head to one of the five outlets of La Porchetta spread across Central London. Although each branch is designed differently, they rely on the tested formula of providing good value food and plenty of it, at down to earth prices that keep diners coming back for more.

There are lots of pasta dishes on the menu, but it's the pizza that La Porchetta really excels at with huge but crisp bases, a great range of toppings all cooked to perfection. Tomato sauce appears to be a mainstay, but then there is also a rucola version with mozzarella, rocket and Parma ham, and calzone pollo with pesto sauce. Tuna is good to savour as a starter with beans, chopped onions and parsley, drizzled with olive oil and vinegar, followed by perhaps chicken Milanese, rib-eye steak or shin of pork with garlic, onions, porcini mushrooms and white wine, served with rice and salad.

At the very heart of South Asian cuisine is the ubiquitous masala, and Massala Hut celebrates this concept in many ways, sometimes it's the bhuna style with spices gently fried in oil, or the cardamom flavoured rogan approach. Whatever method they might follow, the locals seem to certainly approve, judging by the crowds that invade the Hut at lunchtime and evening.

The leather seating, tiled flooring and delicate lighting create a striking atmosphere where you sip on a campari or nibble on chicken tikka, onion bhaji or tandoori king prawn. House specialities are invariably satisfying, try the mildly spiced mughlai chicken cooked with cream and egg and garnished with almonds and pistachio nuts, or the medium-hot chana gosht, lamb flavoured with chickpeas, made even better by the accompanying garlic or Peshawari naan or pilaf rice.