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From being a small pancake house in London's West End in 1958, My Old Dutch chain has come a long way and continues to serve sweet and savoury pancakes as well as a selection of salads, Dutch starters and desserts in all of its restaurants. With outlets in Kensington, Holborn, Chelsea and Ealing, the interior of light walls and scrubbed pine chairs certainly have something to do with the warm atmosphere inside, making it a perfect place to enjoy tasty food with the family or friends.

The menu takes in dishes such as starters of marinated herring fillets with beetroot, gherkins and green salad, and Dutch meatballs with mustard sauce. Their renowned pancakes include a variety of fillings such as chilli con carne, sautéed apple and smoked bacon, honey and slices of lemon, and a selection of seafood.

My Old Dutch also offers specialized beers such as Amstel, Hoegaarden, Grolsch alongside exciting real fruit beers, milkshakes and smoothies.

A casual laidback ambience set with long communal tables makes Bloody French just the place to go to for a leisurely lunch or celebratory evening meal. Seating is well spaced so guests won't be knocking elbows and the food is traditional French. Located in Westbourne Grove, it has an unmistakable Parisian bistro air. An additional incentive to dine out here is the fact that customers can bring their own wine from Sunday through Tuesday.

The concise menu's Gallic stamp is evident with dishes such as ballotine of foie gras rolled in pistachio and glazed with maple syrup and pan fried scallops with salsify and cauliflower purée. The main course comes alive with slowly braised lamb shoulder stuffed with rosemary and apricots as well as roast salmon and vegetables in puff pastry papillote. More options in the form of parmentier of duck confit, b?uf bourguignon and confit leg and roast breast of pheasant reveal the full extent of the chef's repertoire. Appletini granité or white chocolate crème brûlée conclude the meal graciously. Set meals offer more options.

This simple and unassuming little Portuguese café has an undeniable charm. The furnishings are little to write home about but the laidback atmosphere makes it a pleasurable place to enjoy an interesting selection of dishes, be it for lunch or an evening meal. The menu is varied but specialises in fish and seafood including some excellent prawn and sea bass recipes. Expect to pay anything from £6 to £12 for a main course and remember to take cash with you, as Casa Santana doesn't accept credit cards.

Reviewed by Linda Buttle

Set on the cusp of Notting Hill, on Westbourne Park Road The Oak has a rustic and ambient atmosphere. The venue is popular for their wood fired pizzas, and the fantastic but seasonal and extensive menu. The kitchen draws its inspiration from Mediterranean, Italy and Spain as well as Southern France and the cuisine reflects love of honest and wholesome food and flavours.

After D&D London acquired Launceston Place, it was re-launched in March 2008 and has once again become the hub of good eating in Kensington. Now even the AA inspectors are impressed, by awarding a three AA Rosette in recognition of its high quality cooking. The influences of head chef Tristan Welch, who moved in from the two Michelin starred Petrus, are evident on the menu which offers modern British food in a delightfully contemporary setting.

Fresh and seasonal ingredients come together to create numerous classics and old favourites with a touch of the new, so at lunchtime expect to see dishes such as watercress soup, smoked eel and poached quail eggs, or warm heirloom tomato salad with homemade ewe's curd. The main courses could include breast of smoked mackerel with mussels and coastline vegetables, or pork crubeens, pea and carrot salad with pickled walnuts. To finish, there's treacle tart and crème fraîche ice-cream or gooseberry fool with cobnut sponge.

As evening approaches, the meal could become an elaborate affair, with dishes such as roast chicken consommé with bread sauce dumplings, or West Coast scallop roasted with aromatic herbs from the coast line highlighting the starters. The baked lemon sole, shrimps, coastline vegetables and early potatoes is mild but attractive in its tasteful simplicity, and salad of Herdwick lamb butter head lettuce and Berkswell is another excellent choice for the main course. Dishes are presented with a theatrical flair that is pleasing as well as invigorating.

To finish, there's a range of delectable puddings such as apple tart tatin with clotted cream ice cream, or baked cheesecake with English strawberries and for those who cannot resist anything with chocolate in it, the dark chocolate soufflé with Laphroaig whisky ice cream is nothing short of bliss. The wine list brings together a wonderful selection of Old World classics and New World favourites along with some of the finest champagnes, spirits and liqueurs.

In addition to its 60 seat restaurant, Launceston Place boasts a semi private room, 'the chef's office', where tables of up to ten are invited to dine overseeing the activities of the kitchen via a plasma screen. In addition Tristan is on hand to create a bespoke menu for the diners as well as answer any questions they may have.

However, you don't need to take our word for it as there is a lot of information on their Website including details of the menu, wine list and holding private parties there.

Situated on the fringes of Notting Hill and just moments from Portobello Road, The Clarendon is perfectly positioned on a quiet residential street, providing a welcome oasis of calm. With a stunning cocktail bar, ground floor restaurant, and large roof terrace, it is a perfect spot to relax with a cocktail, re-energise with a delicious brunch, sunbathe on the terrace or have a party in the private dining room with family and friends.

The seasonal changing menu offers a wide choice of dishes to suit every palate. The grill features strongly, with a range of fresh fish, steaks and the ever popular chateaubriand. There are seasonal dishes to warm the cockles on a winter evening. Pork belly with amazing crackling, and lamb shank are frequently seen  on the daily changing menu. For a more filling option you could try traditional shepherd's pie with glazed honey and parsnips or asparagus and pecorino risotto.

Tucked away in trendy Notting Hill, Cafe De Thai in All Saints Road offers guests a window into the world of exquisite flavours and textures of the delicious Southeast Asian cuisine. They can relax and unwind in pleasant interiors with friendly service.

The meal gets going with starters of crispy wanton filled with marinated minced chicken and prawns, char grilled marinated spare ribs with sesame seeds, steamed scallops with ginger, spring onions and homemade soy sauce and deep fried tofu with sweet chili sauce and cucumber relish. Now get to the heart of the matter with sliced duck breast with seaweed and plum sauce, steamed fillet of sea bass flavoured with lemongrass and fresh lime juice, jungle prawns curry and green curry with coconut milk, aubergine and sweet basil. Flat rice noodles with eggs, vegetables and soy sauce or pineapple rice with prawns and coconut cream accompany the main course dishes. Desserts of pandan assorted pancake with vanilla ice cream and banana fritters with chocolate ice cream round off the meal nicely.

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.