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This unique restaurant is tucked away in a little one-way street by Kensington Fire Station; close to the popular retailing area of Kensington High Street and the antique shops of Kensington Church Street.

It is reputed to have been named after Princess Margaret, who, when she got married, became Margaret Armstrong-Jones - geddit; in fact they used to go out there for dinner when they were courting. She lived just round the corner in Kensington Palace, which is more famed for being the last home of Princess Diana.

Maggie Jones's has been a Kensington stalwart for many a year, and lots of people find that it is their kind of English restaurant, warm and comfortable in atmosphere; though others think that it could do with a little bit of updating, but then that is possibly the secret of its charm.

They tend to keep the lights slightly at a twilight level, though it can't be to prevent you seeing what you are eating, as its generous portions, from a very British menu, normally impress.

Their devotees, many of whom have been dining there for years, including visitors from all over the globe, particularly America, find it fun and go back in droves.

In the evening they offer a very full menu featuring some real English favourites, from Cornish smoked mackerel with gooseberry mayonnaise to potted shrimps, and mains like steak and kidney pie to poached or grilled salmon with hollandaise sauce with vegetables or salads as extras. Lunchtime prices offer excellent value from a slightly more restricted menu.

Whatever you do, don't try to be clever and go in asking if Maggie is there, it has been done before! They have a £1 cover charge and add on a discretionary 12.5 per cent service charge.

A visit to Best Mangal definitely requires you to have a healthy appetite. The set menu consisting of two mixed meze options priced at either £11.25 or £13.75, gives a good variation of dishes and certainly makes for easy ordering. Otherwise the vast menu includes delights such as stuffed vine leaves, chicken wings, varied kebabs, grilled quails on skewers, lamb sweetbreads and a selection of interesting salads. The Turkish wines are great value at just £7.50 a bottle, but the wine list covers many different countries, giving you all the choice you want at sensible prices.

Reviewed by Linda Buttle

Situated in the heart of London's Notting Hill area and a stone's throw from Kensington Gardens De Amicis has been serving fine and authentic Italian food using fresh and seasonal ingredients for over 15 years. The friendly service and usually buzzing and bustling atmosphere of the restaurant have made it a popular destination for all types of occasions. On a busy night the open plan kitchen adds a special vibrancy to the restaurant demonstrating the passion and energy the chefs bring to the dishes.

Avocado prawns and parma ham and melon make a great combination to kick-start your meal. A whisked egg and parsley in clear consommé soup later, you can indulge in some pasta by ordering spaghetti Bolognese with meat sauce. If you prefer seafood try pot cooked haddock fillet with bay leaves, garlic, olives, tomatoes and white wine before ending the meal with short-crust pastry filled with crème patisserie and topped with pine nuts.

Classic French cuisine is often thought to come at a price but La Sophia in Notting Hill surprises with good food and prices within reach. This chef-owned French and Mediterranean restaurant, a stone's throw from Portobello Road and Ladbroke Grove, strives to please. Its signature dishes, with distinctive flourishes, are ample evidence of chef Ali?s expertise and wide ranging exposure to various cuisines internationally.

La Sophia's Moorish ambience and friendly service set the tone for a delightful evening. After having enjoyed a cocktail at the bar downstairs, start the meal with the goat cheese soufflé with mango and apricot chutney or the pan seared foie gras served with toasted brioche. Then move on to wild mushroom risotto with saffron, pan seared duck breast and dried cranberry or the pappardelle with pecan and Argan oil pesto. Lunch specials include steak frites classique, smoked salmon with egg and hollandaise sauce, pasta primavera and pan seared lamb chops. To assist digestion and pleasure take a close look at the good choice of classic white and red wines.

Fish sadly is an expensive commodity these days, but at this exceedingly French seafooder - they handle it well at Chez Patrick (formerly called Stratford's for many years, but basically unchanged apart from the name) and it is always fresh.

You should introduce yourself to the manager/owner Patrick, and then follow his recommendations over what is the best of the good selection of fish on offer.

Many of its patrons seem to feel that it should be even more popular than it is, but possibly the fact that it is in a little backwater in Stratford Village, between Cromwell Road and Kensington High Street has something to do with this. However, it certainly has a devoted following of long-time fans.

They have a very simple system, you choose the fish and then how you want it cooked, accompanied with a straightforward selection of sauces. The monkfish roasted with garlic is absolutely wonderful.

Naturally their wine list is mainly French with good examples in white from teh Loire, and do enjoy a great glass of Muscat de Rivesaltes with your dessert. There is only a rather short list of puddings, but do note that the chocolate mousse and crème brûlée are to die for, whilst they also have excellent sorbets.

Beware of one thing though, they do levy a fairly hefty 15 per cent service charge.

BARGAIN: At lunchtime they offer one of the best value menus in London, three courses for £12.50 of sublime food, superb value, but plus that 15 per cent service charge.

Chic and contemporary with subtle shades of light green interspersed with dark woods, the Kensington Square Kitchen emanates delicious vibes of traditional home cooked British food with the much anticipated twist. This relaxed restaurant is open all day, so drop in for a quick and tasty snack or a delicious meal; the friendly, welcoming service will convince you that it was a good decision to visit. The menu brings forth seasonal dishes with locally sourced ingredients and what appeals most to customers is that there are no fixed rules about what you can eat at a particular time.

For the first meal of the day, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon bolsters you with enough sustenance to see you through the day, and afterwards they have an all day brunch where favourites could include homemade Aberdeen Angus beef burgers with cumin coleslaw and BBQ sauce. Freshly baked cakes are some of the choices for dessert while teas, coffees and an excellent wine list preclude any worries over what to drink.

Perhaps the period of social and political upheaval in China may be the inspiration behind its name, but in Islington, King's Road and Notting Hill, they've created a different revolution of sorts, prompting Londoners to explore flavours from the Northern Chinese territory and possibly win over those who cringe at the idea of a noodle-dumpling meal. New Culture Revolution also does well to restore faith amongst health experts and their ilk by eschewing MSGs and artificial additives.

Jiao ji - boiled dumplings served in a broth - is a good way to start, with stuffing that include pork and Chinese leaves, chicken, and cod fish and spinach, or choose their slightly more calorific counterpart, the pan-fried guotei. A subsequent order of chilli beef and aubergine on a nest of crispy noodles, or quick-fried cut fillet of red bream and mangetout fused with ginger and garlic may find yourself admiring how simple ingredients put together in a proper manner help create a delicate balance of flavours. A steaming hot cup of jasmine green tea helps to round things off nicely.