Restaurant-Guide.com
hand picked restaurants

Balance is the best way to describe Thai cuisine - a subtle equilibrium of herbs, roots, spices and leaves that are carefully combined to bring out natural flavours - and at Thai Taste chef Thanaphat is the best person to understand these details. Having worked by the hobs at Novotel Hotel in Thailand, his stint at the Cromwell Road venue is much appreciated as he manages to strike the right balance using best quality seasonal ingredients.

A prime example of this is in the form of their special dishes like Thai roasted duck curry with pineapple and tomato in coconut milk and Thai herbs, and shallow fried whole sea bass in house special sweet chilli sauce dressing. Lovers of stir-fries can indulge in a gai phad med mamuang, tender slices of chicken tossed with spring onions and dried chilli, or king prawns and asparagus sautéed in a sesame infused oil and light soy and oyster gravy sauce.

The problem of selecting from a long list can be mitigated by paying attention to the set menus that offer plenty of combinations to suit your taste.

In the eyes of many it has taken too long for this Belgian bakery-patisserie-café concept to reach Britain, but Le Pain Quotidien is here now and drawing the crowds to its thirteen locations in London. The common thread running through all outlets is the communal style seating where diners can enjoy a breakfast platter, say a wide variety of breads, croissants, yogurt and coffee.

For the rest of the day think tartines, soups, salads, baguettes, fruit tarts and a selection of chocolate wickedness. The bakery also serves naturally leavened sourdough breads, patisserie and croissants and all around is the aroma of freshly baked bread blended with the coffee. In the evening the whole place morphs into romantic dinner setting with candle lights and gleaming cutlery, and the menu choices are substantial, from grilled chorizo and lemon and hot Lyonnaise salad of confit duck to granola 'parfait' with yoghurt and fruits.

In Knightsbridge's Brompton Road, Mamounia Lounge offers a choice of Lebanese, Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisines. The atmospheric ambience seeks to give guests the exotic feel of the Middle East with varied textures, quirky designs and a stunning look. The venue also showcases live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night.

Taste the delicious flavours of the different cuisines with such dishes as grilled merguez sausages served with puy lentils and brunoise vegetables; tabouleh of parsley, tomatoes and onions with fresh mint, wheat, lemon juice and olive oil, and tagine of venison with ginger, chilli, coriander and ground almond sauce. There is the ubiquitous mezze selection too, in addition to a mixed grill of lamb kofta, a medallion of chicken and lamb served with rice and salad. Finish with tea or coffee. A fruity cocktail or a glass of wine complements the selection.

Japanese food certainly needs no introduction in the UK; many books have been written and more restaurants are opening every year, their prime aim to acquaint diners with the nuances of this cuisine. Taro Sushi Noodle Bar chooses to be different from the other futuristically styled places, but still manages to charm customers with its minimalist, woody interior and toothsome cooking.

So settle in with a bowl of chicken udon noodle soup or beef ramen with bean sprout, seaweed, carrot, spring onions and sesame seeds. Chicken or salmon teriyaki are some of their popular dishes but the una ju, eel with sauce on rice, and katu don, fried pork with egg on rice are not to be missed either. How can sushi possibly be ignored, especially if you've developed a soft corner for those delicious little morsels? Here it could be a wonder roll with avocado, cucumber, salmon and crab stick with mayonnaise or chirashi sushi of fresh tuna, salmon, prawn, snapper, squid, octopus, soft clam and egg, beautifully decorated on rice.

The Townhouse is just that, a Georgian townhouse set over three floors and is both a great party place and the ideal lounge around brunch venue. First and foremost it's a bar so as you would expect the drinks list is long, including a diverse range of cocktails. On the menu you'll find delights such as quesadillas served with freshly made salsa, Malaysian chicken skewers, pan-fried scotch fillet steak, or light and crisp shrimp and vegetable tempura. American blueberry and raspberry pancakes, or smoked salmon and scrambled eggs are the perfect brunch fodder.

Reviewed by Linda Buttle

Located on the ground floor of the luxurious Baglioni Hotel in London, the Brunello restaurant is an elegant and plush dining space that offers stunning view of Kensington Gardens. Stylish and inviting, the restaurant features interiors of warm grey and gold, embellished with ornate candelabras and a grand fireplace. The Mediterranean cuisine served, is just as rich and subtly flavoured, made from the freshest ingredients including many that have been imported specially from Italy.

Chef Andrea Vercelli uses his considerable experience to create traditional Italian dishes in a unique way, incorporating contemporary ingredients and techniques without losing their inherent flavour and taste. This is evident in the a la carte menu which features starters of Zibello ham served with red wine pears and Sardinian bread, and pan fried duck foie gras served with pan brioches and dry apricots. The main courses include pasta dishes of paglia e fieno with fresh tomato and basil, fresh seafood dishes such as pan fried sea bream with escarole and red pepper couli, and robust meat dishes including succulent Scottish beef fillet with potatoes fondant and morel mushrooms.

The restaurant's stunning selection of wine includes over 500 labels from around the world, specifically chosen to complement any meal perfectly.

Located in the heart of London's shopping district, Café Montpeliano in Brompton Road in chic Knightsbridge is but a stone's throw from the delights of Harrods, Armani and Beauchamp Place. This smart Italian brasserie with attractive comfortable interiors welcomes guests for a quick bite or leisurely meal.

The contemporary menu offers a range of pasta dishes, exotic salads and hearty main courses. Begin with carpaccio Cipriani, Irish rock oysters, wild mushrooms and polenta mozzarella, tomato and avocado or smoked salmon and scrambled eggs on toast. Alternatively, select tortelloni with cream and rosemary osso bucco with saffron risotto. Then proceed with smoked pink trout salad, steak Diane with vegetables or the great focaccia sandwich. For dessert choose between tiramisu, apricot tart or strawberry cheesecake. Breakfast and afternoon tea are served here too. Takeaway and children's menus are also available. The food can be perfectly complemented by a selection from the extensive wine list.