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Nestled in the heart of London in the bottom end of Shaftesbury Avenue where the road curves into New Oxford Street, is a true blue British bar and dining that goes by its street name, Shaftesbury. The place instantly comes across as friendly and personal attention is a given, while the culinary accents tend more towards traditional English flavours rather than modern. Tucked within convenient distance from London's shopping hub and The Shaftesbury Theatre, the restaurant attracts shoppers and show-goers with its authentic dishes, comfortable ambience and a pre-theatre menu.

Come here for smoked haddock fishcakes with tartar sauce, Kent lamb hot pot, pan fried pork chop with braised red cabbage and apple, mussels cooked in English cider and cream, the Shaftesbury pasty and the very berry sherry trifle. Pick a wine or champagne to go with the meal if time permits, and get a good deal between the show and shopping.

La Perla is a small chain of friendly bars, which have been treating Londoners to the flavours of Mexico for over thirty years. Their outlets in Covent Garden and Charlotte Street are great for a fun night out, and you might while away a good hour or two at the well stocked bar, before taking up a table in the restaurant.

They serve world class Margheritas, tropical cocktails along with unusual tequilas and rum that are house specialities. The kitchen puts together classic fare and chargrilled dishes that taste home cooked. On the menu, favourites such as tacos and enchiladas appear alongside modern dishes made using less typical ingredients yet keeping to the Mexican theme.

Their starters range from simple nachos to smoked chicken quesadillas or carnitas de puerco, oven baked pork shoulder with chilli and onions and served with grilled tortillas and salsa verde. The fresh salad with king prawns, mixed baby leaves, red onions, tomatoes, Thai asparagus, and artichoke hearts in an orange, citrus and avocado dressing is suitable for those wanting tasty but healthy food.

Fajitas are served with a variety of fillings and other options include steaks, pork chops and grilled fish, not exactly what you think of as standard fare. Vegetarian mains could include spicy enchiladas and molcajete made from red and green peppers, onions, crushed corn tortilla chips, jalapenos and melted cheese served on a hot skillet with guacamole and sour cream. The chimichanga, a sun-dried tortilla, deep-fried, filled with beef and cheese and served with rice is an innovative offering.

Among desserts, they have the framboisier - raspberry sorbet with vanilla mousse and a meringue core - topped with strawberry coulis. And to add that special finishing touch, try the vinsanto con almendritos, a dessert wine served with almond biscuits.

Terms like art and café are now inextricably linked, and the bright and spacious Photographers Gallery - believed to be the largest public gallery in London dedicated to photography - demonstrates this bond real well. The communal style seating provides an opportunity to rub elbows with like-minded folk whilst sipping on a hot cup of coffee and gazing at the photographs on the walls.

The menu is appropriately diminutive in size and devised to keep your mind more on photography, but their cakes are a pleasant distraction, so go on choose a lemon drizzle, coffee and walnut, chocolate fudge brownie, fruit or carrot topped with cream cheese icing. Granary rolls filled with tuna mayo, brie and spring onion, salmon mousse and cheese and pickle are satisfying too. You could also swing by after a day at work for a refreshing Fentimans traditional ginger beer or a hazelnut latte.