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hand picked restaurants

Situated in Central London's Marriott Hotel, Fratelli Grill offers guests a relaxed dining experience in a cosy and friendly atmosphere. The venue has an open kitchen and serves simply grilled food with vibrant hospitality. The interior features bright colours and contemporary seating.

Rustic fishcake with pepper aioli, carpaccio of air dried bresola beef with curly endive, pesto and shaved reggiano, and grilled tiger prawns served on marinated vegetables and roast garlic dressing are some delicacies that first attract attention. Specialities here include dishes such as char grilled tuna steak served on a warm niçoise salad with egg, new potatoes, tomatoes, green beans, red onions and marinated anchovies, and spinach mascarpone lasagna with mixed garden salad.

For those with a sweet tooth you really should  try the passion fruit crème brûlée, or perhaps a banana split with almonds and chocolate sauce, or rhubarb and strawberry cheesecake.

Gourmet Burger Kitchen was the brainchild of three New Zealanders, who craved after the way that food tasted back home. The chain was instrumental in changing the perception of many people who saw the traditional burger purely as a fast food option; instead they are now seen as more sophisticated products, made using fresh, good quality ingredients.

Their first outlet opened in Battersea and today there are forty-one serving scrumptious burgers. Chef Peter Gordon believes in using innovative combinations, with good quality English chicken and Aberdeen Angus Scotch beef among the ingredients, to make nutritious and convenient to eat fare. They offer chorizo and sweet potato, lamb and minted relish, or the vegetarian portabella mushroom among others. GBK sauces and accompaniments add to their taste.

The menu has nearly thirty different choices and if you feel like biting into pure beef, do try their classic burger with salad and relish - available with or without cheese, this is served with sauces like smoked mayo, spicy satay, fresh chilli and Thai red curry, lending the meal varying degrees of spice.

Some, like the Kiwi, are made using unusual raw materials such as beetroot, fried egg and pineapple, while for fans of chicken, the grilled breast with streaky bacon, salad and avocado is a delicious combination. There are a surprising number of burgers suitable for vegetarians with versions made from puy lentils, potato, green curry or aubergine served with goats' cheese and sun blushed tomatoes. Fresh fruit juices, soft drinks and milkshakes are alcohol free options.

A welcome list of wines and beers complete the picture of a relaxed and modern environment as Gourmet Burger King excels in making the humble burger taste so good.

One of the most consistently successful and highly regarded Indian restaurants in London for many years now; it is still gaining a top rating in Harden's Guide for its food, and was included in the Round Up section of the 2003 Good Food Guide.

Whilst the décor is not everybody's cup of tea, it certainly provides an exotic setting for their marvellous dishes, which could include: escalopes of chicken breast cooked in rich saffron flavoured sauce; tiger prawns marinated in ginger, yoghurt, chilli oil and spices or vension cutlets with mustard oil, homemade Indian fivew spice, roast garlic and button onions - not exactly standard Indian fare.

It's an idea that has been brewing in Tony Kitous mind for some time. As he says, 'it's something I've always wanted to do'. Comptoir Libanias means Lebanese counter and that's exactly what it is: somewhere you can eat casually with no fuss. The first restaurant opened at Westfield Shopping Centre and now Tony has brought his signature design and style to the West End. The interior is fresh and modern, with a little touch of the souk, with embroidered handbags from Marrakech and ingredients to cook at home, and the ambience is light and airy.

The menu offers everything from dips to mezze bites, savoury flatbreads, tagines, wraps, salads through to pastries and cakes. Pick a few dishes and share them with friends. Forget the knife and fork - mezze is finger food. Or put your feet up after shopping, and indulge in rosewater macaroons and homemade lemonades.

Situated at the top end of Kings Road near Chelsea football ground The Hand and Flower is a striking Victorian pub offering authentic British pub food. The interior features dark wooden tables and chairs, an oak panelled dining room with large glass apex roof and stunning chandeliers. In addition there is an al fresco dining option on the pavement area in front and a Mediterranean themed garden at the back.

The kitchen offers seasonal and fresh produce with an innovative and ever changing menu. Glazed pork cheeks with lentils and honey, gateau of baby leeks, butternut squash and goats' cheese, Adnams ale battered haddock, caramelized onion, potato and brie tart, and 28 day dry aged rib-eye steak served with chips, green salad and béarnaise are worthy options that you might come across at The Hand and Flower.

The pub serves real ales and selected wines from around the world by the glass and that too, without costing you an arm and a leg.

The enchanted kingdom that is Blue Elephant is one of the UK's leading Thai restaurants. It is a great testament to the restaurant's consistent high standards in both the quality of food and service that, since opening in 1986, it continues to be one of London's most popular dining experiences and is indeed the jewel in the Blue Elephant Group's crown.

Visit the Blue Elephant in Imperial Wharf and enter the heart of lush jungle, exotic blooms and thatched Thai dining "Houses". Bundles of redolent orchids, freshly imported from Bangkok's famous floating market, fill the light and airy interior. The unique atmosphere, created by an eclectic mix of diners, makes the restaurant the perfect destination for any type of occasion.

Located just off the restaurant, the Blue Bar's interior is set upon a visit to "old Bangkok". The bar itself is a reproduction of the Suphannahong, the Royal Barge of Thailand. Master craftsmen laboured for over 4 months on the bar. The intricate feathers were painstaking carved then applied with 50,000 sheets of gold leaf and inset with over 3,000 pieces of stained mirrored mosaics, giving a shimmering effect as if it were actually afloat.

Their menu descriptions are quite eloquent also, however, the food does not always taste quite as good as it sounds, as results are a bit westernised, rather than always being truly authentic. But it certainly provides a great and very different evening out.

The first Café Rialto opened in 2001 at South Street, Dorking and very soon became popular for its food, drinks and service; it has subsequently opened in Fulham and Battersea. The venue offers freshly prepared dishes using seasonal produce in a chic and delightful setting.

Mushrooms in breadcrumbs filled with garlic and butter, calamari fritti with lemon and tartar sauce, spaghetti alle vongole - with fresh clams, white wine, tomato and garlic sauce, ravioli ai funghi are some of the prized offerings here. If you are a pancake lover then you would not want to miss crespoline fiorentina - rolled pancake with ricotta cheese and spinach with cream and tomato sauce. Rice lovers, too, are in for a treat with dishes such as rice with mushrooms, courgette, spinach, peas, asparagus, and green peppers in cream, garlic and thyme mush, and risotto ai funghi featuring on the menu.

The carefully chosen wine list offers Italian wines, beers and classics.