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In the heart of the shopping capital of England, sandwiched between Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, Browns Mayfair provides a welcome oasis from the stresses, some of them pleasantly self-inflicted, of London life.

In keeping with the tradition established by Browns when considering their restaurant sites, this beautifully converted Georgian tailors has a wealth of history, for those who spent their working days there were responsible for outfitting such dignitaries as Winston Churchill and Clem Atlee into a state of sartorial elegance, before Browns restored the building.

Lunch times are frantic as those working locally wine and dine with friends and clients, while the afternoons and evenings are a more relaxed affair as weary shoppers and ebullient theatre-goers meet for quality food and drink. In addition to the restaurant there is a separate cocktail-wine bar and private dining rooms for a more secluded event. Those who haven't been to Browns Mayfair are missing out on one of the area's classiest restaurants.

The weekends tend to be an oasis of calm by comparison as shoppers, tourists and local residents escape form the hectic bustle of the West End. Saturday has its own buzz as people meet for a spot of supper before going on to one of the many near-by theatres, or simply relax with friends over a cocktail and a bite to eat.

Browns is a classic English restaurant with a menu that has evolved rather than changed over the last thirty years. It offers a genuine value for money experience and can also cater for large parties with a more expansive budget. A plate of appetisers to share comes in vegetarian, seafood or Italian meat form, and there are thin and crisp flatbreads topped with such delights as prosciutto, chorizo, mozzarella and roasted peppers.

Starters cleverly re-invent some of the classic brasserie dishes; expect to find crab and avocado salad, baked Scottish langoustine with spinach, cream and Emmental, and a fine selection of freshly made soups depending on the day.

Fish dishes include salmon fillet marinated and baked in soy sauce, with shitake and button mushrooms served on a char-grilled pak choi. Mains take in beef and olive ragu in a tomato sauce tossed with pennette rigate, and tender roasted four bone rack of lamb with a red wine jus, sprouting broccoli and dauphinoise potatoes. Brioche bread and butter pudding and Pimms jelly with strawberry coulis and apple and fresh mint combine traditional with new classic, but the fact is that after years of experience in the field of what might be termed comfortable eating, Browns have it pretty well stitched up.

There is a full wine, cocktail and champagne list with the champagnes being particularly notable for their sensible pricing. For further information, including their full menu and details on private dining, visit their Website.

Located in the vibrant heart of Soho, Bistro du Vin on Dean Street offers a high quality modern British cuisine menu in stylish contemporary surroundings. The comfortable well-appointed interiors are dotted with pale olive leather banquettes and distressed oak tables. Individual touches such as antique deli items and signs give it a quirky charm of its own, making it just the place for a lively pre or post-theatre dinner with family and friends.

Bistro du Vin places great emphasis on using fresh home grown produce where possible, especially naturally reared and traditionally matured beef, pork and lamb from master butchers Donald Russell, organic shellfish from Maldon Oysters, high quality smoked salmon from Scotland, artisan bread from The Bread Factory and the best farmhouse artisan cheeses from La Cave à Fromage.

Starters of foie gras and chicken liver parfait, rabbit terrine with leek and hazelnut vinaigrette, coconut and cauliflower soup with curried scallops or Cornish rock oysters served with shallot vinaigrette, Tabasco and lemon whet the appetite. You could also try a cheese and charcuterie plate or Parma ham with fig and gorgonzola.

Follow with substantial mains of steak and oyster pie with pomme purée, pan fried black bream with pomme mousseline and roasted garlic or gnocchi with goat's cheese sauce and wild mushrooms. The choice of succulent steaks from the state-of-the-art Josper grill includes 250g Cumbrian rare breed rib eye, côte de b?uf, a 300g belted galloway sirloin or a 35-day aged long horn rump, all served with sauce of your choice and chips. There's also a selection of hot roasted shellfish including lobster, crayfish, razor clams, Queenie's scallops, oyster, crab and mussels.

The constantly daily specials could include enduring favourites of beef stroganoff with basmati rice, roast mallard with spiced poached pear and spinach and roast pork with fondant potato. A lounge menu is also available if you feel like a snack.

Round off the meal with decadent dessert of chocolate tart with crème Chantilly, strawberry vacherin sundae or Belgian waffle with fresh strawberries and Valrhona chocolate sauce. An artisan cheese and charcuterie plate could be an equally delicious alternative and guests are welcome to sample cheeses before ordering their plate.

Bistro du Vin offers a comprehensive global selection of 200 premium whites and reds including a Château Simone from Provence, a Casal Novo Godello from Spain and a Dominus from Napa Valley. A master sommelier is at hand to take you through the carefully compiled wine list. A 'wine by the glass card' allows you to sample as many wines as you would like before ordering a bottle. You could also look forward to regular wine tastings here.

Private dining options at Bistro du Vin include 'the meat cellar', a well-appointed fully glazed dining room which can seat upto eight guests and 'the whiskey snuggle' a cosy room which can seat up to 12 guests and comes with an original wood floor and 42-inch plasma TV.

To gain further information, just visit their extremely comprehensive Website.

The Montagu offers tranquil views over one of London's most picturesque gardens, yet provides a vibrant setting to relax and indulge in a wide range of modern British, seasonal dishes, all of which are prepared in a striking open kitchen. Located at the Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill - in Portman Square the restaurant prides itself on being a neighbourhood restaurant, which serves up a wide selection of wonderful, fresh dishes, with a mission to provide relaxed eating for all those whose lives bring them into contact with the hotel and its neighbourhood.

Awarded the prestigious Tea Guild's Award of Excellence 2010, The Montagu offers a full afternoon tea service from 3:00pm to 6:00pm which is the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street. The Montagu Afternoon Tea offers elegant tiered stands bearing a selection of traditionally British, thinly sliced finger sandwiches and warm fruit and plain scones with strawberry jam and Cornish clotted cream. The Patissier's selection includes pretty French pastries and fruit tartlets and mini desserts. Also served is a fine selection of exquisite teas.

In homage to Sir Winston Churchill, The Montagu has just launched The Churchillian High Tea, the perfect Winter treat. Start with smoked salmon, potted shrimps served on toast with a drizzle of lemon juice, cheese on toast, and toasted crumpets with butter. Follow with hot favourites such as a warming vegetable consommé, a mini shepherd's pie and Sir Winston's beloved traditional tender roast beef with a Yorkshire pudding and horseradish sauce.

Puddings include treats such as treacle tart, fruit cake and sherry trifle. Sir Winston's love of French food is highlighted with delicious chocolate éclairs. This is served with a fine selection of exquisite teas, all of which reflect the unique and fine qualities of Sir Winston Churchill.

The Montagu's Chef's Table is a foodie experience with a 5-course menu, prepared and delivered by the chefs, right before your eyes. An extensive wine list offers 70 labels covering mix of New and Old World wines, with numerous selections available by the glass. Until December, enjoy the Chef's Table in collaboration with the iconic winery Cloudy Bay, pairing food and wine together for an unforgettable culinary experience.

For those with time to linger at lunch or having dinner, the choice is wide and focuses on ingredients that are in season. Try the court bouillon poached prawns with cocktail sauce and avocado, or the Dover sole with roasted potatoes and drizzled with lemon butter. Or for those who prefer something meatier, choose from a stunning beef tenderloin with bone marrow crust and braised shallots, or a herbed lamb rump with celeriac mash and glazed carrots.

And for pudding, it is difficult to resist The Montagu's tempting selection. Indulge in a plum crumble with red wine ice-cream and vanilla pod sauce, a spiced hot chocolate with caramelised homemade marshmallows, or a scrumptious sticky toffee and date pudding with toffee sauce and vanilla ice-cream.

The Montagu in some ways echoes the grand style of a gentleman's club but one that is shorn of its pomposity and sepulchral silence, instead they are replaced with jollity and laughter, a real fun place to be not least because of the quality of the food and surroundings, and providing a real lift to the area.

However, the best way to find out all about The Montagu and the Hyatt Regency Hotel - The Churchill, one of the most elegant in London, is to visit their Website.

It's not every day that a new restaurant opens on Park Lane, and 140 Park Lane Restaurant and Bar at the London Marriott Hotel Park Lane brings a delightfully fresh approach to this exclusive avenue.

Accommodation there is of a high order, with 157 spacious and elegant air conditioned guest rooms with luxury bedding. Executive rooms and all suites have a sofa bed in each room; Club Rooms and Executive rooms are given access to the Executive Lounge. The Marriott bedding package includes luxury cotton bedding, down mattress topper and duvets. Minibars, cable-satellite TV, separate tubs and showers, bathrobes are only some of the host of amenities that you would expect - and will - find in this superb hotel.

The modern British-European menu at 140 Park Lane has been praised by the Square Meal Guide for its 'craftsmanship' and 'artistic flair'. Be sure to arrive early to sample the Bruised Apple - their exclusive, signature cocktail.

A novelty at 140 is the open plan kitchen, not normally a feature of a restaurant of this quality, but none the less welcome, bringing a sense of involvement as well as heightened interest. Equally welcome is the fine wine display, creating an image that can hardly be anything other than tempting.

Sunday brunch is an institution at 140, with a menu that would not disgrace a decent brasserie and then some. Starters of chicken Caesar salad with fresh chicken breast strips, anchovies and croutons, smoked salmon accompanied by minced onions and capers, or potato salad crumbled with crispy bacon and spring onions, precede a good variety of main dishes of which the undoubted champion is the Sunday roast beef.

The à la carte menu opens up a range of dishes that demonstrate only too clearly the versatility of the team, with starters of guinea fowl consommé with winter vegetables and rosemary oil, and crab and prawn cakes with apple and fennel slaw, garlic spinach roasted pepper remoulade and petite salad, to name but a few.

The growth of sea bass as a leading menu item has been part of the fall out of over-fishing, and though line-caught fish can still be had, most are now farmed, and make a very sound meal, Usually baked it is served here with lemon and dill cream. Roast rack of lamb is another popular dish, the culinary equivalent of a 'safe pair of hands' and the accompaniment of glazed onions and asparagus is traditional.

Penne with grilled chicken artichokes, courgettes and tarragon cream is a step towards vegetarianism, but you can go the whole way with goat's cheese gnocchi garden peas and beetroot, a dish rich in flavour contrast and interest. Going to the other end of the scale, the dish that no self respecting menu could be without, here in 10oz form the 100% grain fed Angus, served with Marriott steak butter.

The beauty of somewhere like 140 is its ability to provide contrast, both in food and setting, so that a restaurant which is never far from the benefits of traditionalism can still hold hands comfortably with one of the most up to date and well run hotels in the world's greatest city. Their Website should help to prove this to you.

A real taste of the Mediterranean is to be found at Terra, with dishes that have their origins in Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey and onwards. Located where it is it makes an ideal setting for business lunches, romantic rendezvous, dinner with colleagues or a great place to entertain that creaky relative who is considering making you his principal beneficiary. With theatres all round Terra is a great place for the pre or post suppers that set their seal on a successful evening out.

A menu that will instantly impress your companion with your sagacity and worldliness sets the ball rolling with a choice of 10 or more starters, the diversity of which has been known to change the nature of meals to a tapas party. Among the delights that await, look for pan-fried squid on a bed of mixed leaves with chilli and garlic dressing, or spiced meat balls served with tzatziki dip.

Salads abound as main courses, with basil, feta cheese, tomato, cucumber, olives and peppers as some main ingredients. The grill and griddle starts off with a lamb, sirloin, rib eye or ostrich steaks, possibly overshadowed by escalope Montenegro, char-grilled pork fillet, stuffed with Parma ham and feta cheese. If you have a somewhat jaundiced view on the limited appeal of risotto spare some space for their seafood version with calamari, clams, prawns and mussels, cooked in homemade tomato sauce.

Lest you think Italy may have been overlooked run an eye down the list of pasta dishes, including a tagliatelle alla Terra with wild rocket, scallops and white clams in a white wine sauce. See Terra and live! Desserts are as naughty as you had hoped for, and there are no reports of disappointed diners on record.

A short but punchy wine list may be limited on choice but the ones that matter are there, with house champagne well within limits, house wines that make comfortable drinking possible by the glass or bottle.

Their special offers make for smiley faces, and so make best use of your time and your wallet. For details of offers, menu changes and other good news click on their Website. A taste of the Mediterranean seldom comes at such good rates as these.

Offering authentic Turkish cuisine in central London, Ozer on Langham Place is a well-appointed and elegant restaurant that mixes tradition with modernity. Sporting a stylish ambience with rich furnishings, the vibrant dining space offers patrons indoor as well as al fresco dining options. The restaurant serves a variety of dishes, drawing inspiration from Ottoman Empire classics, using locally sourced and organic ingredients wherever possible. Just off bustling Regent Street, the venue is close to Oxford Circus Tube Station and BBC Broadcasting House on Portland Place.

The brainchild of acclaimed Chef Huseyin Ozer, the restaurant's extensive à la carte menu has something for everyone. It reflects his emphasis on healthy high quality options with genuine Turkish flavours. Light and fresh meze dishes include prawn tempura with cacik and pomegranate; salmon satay marinated in olive oil, soy sauce and herbs and served with cress; lahmazza, a traditional Turkish precursor to pizza with minced lamb and pine kernels; battered squid marinated in vodka or lamb's liver and red onions all make for a perfect beginning to the meal. Mixed platters and a variety of light dishes are also available.

For the main course, the seafood lover can choose between black cod marinated with white miso; mackerel fillet grilled and served with cress or spicy fish pot with a selection of fresh fish cooked in coconut cream and an onion and ginger based sauce and served with basmati rice. Vegetarians are well catered for with a range of choices that could include vegetarian moussaka; penne with rocket leaves and dolce latte cheese or spinach stew cooked with chickpeas and baby potatoes and served with basmati rice and yoghurt.

A variety of succulent meat dishes such as grilled lamb kidney served with potato puree; grilled beef sirloin steak served with potato wedges and cress; spicy meatball pot with chicken, lamb or beef meatballs cooked with red peppers, coconut cream, onion and spices and served with basmati rice or marinated chicken pieces, skewered and char grilled, will satisfy the committed carnivore. House specials of lamb tagine, kuzulu begendi, sautéed fillet of lamb with smoked aubergine caviar, or aubergine stuffed with minced beef, onions and herbs and served with basmati rice pamper the palate further.

A chef's special menu offers an assortment of twelve dishes per person. Guests can also choose from breakfast, lunch and pre-theatre menus.
 
Tempting traditional dessert of kunefe, a warm shredded pastry filled with cheese, pistachio and syrup; rice pudding enriched with coconut milk and garnished with almonds or su muhallebisi, cubes of milk pudding and rose syrup with berries and nuts, bring the meal to a delicious conclusion. Alternatively, choose chocolate torte with raspberry sorbet or crème brûlée with saffron to satisfy even the sweetest tooth.
 
The wine list offers a range of New and Old World wines including Turkish varieties and popular labels such as Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, Piropo Pinot Blanc from Argentina, La Serre Cabernet Sauvignon from France and Branch Creek Shiraz from Australia.

More information can be found on their Website.

In the heart of London's Mayfair, The Gallery Restaurant offers all-day dining, serving Mediterranean cuisine in a sophisticated and elegant setting. Period French décor with silk upholstery, chandeliers, gilt and mirrors lends the restaurant a luxurious but not overly formal ambience. Housed in The Westbury Hotel on Conduit Street, the Gallery is a stone's throw from the boutiques of New Bond Street and is the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street. All the attractions of Soho and Theatreland are short walk away as are the leafy environs of Green Park and Hyde Park.

Inspired by the cuisines of the south of France, the French Riviera and Northern Italy, head Chef Brian Fantoni, formerly of Claridges and The Savoy, has prepared a mouthwatering range of classic Mediterranean dishes using the finest ingredients in an unfussy manner. Dinner could begin with starters of pork and pistachio terrine with Italian lardo and mustard fruits or ballotine of foie gras filled with prune and Banyuls wine and served with toasted brioche.
 
Main courses could include fillet of red mullet with aromatic couscous, green olives and almond tapenade or lobster with baby leeks, potato gnocchi, kumquat and lobster dressing. Committed carnivores have equally delicious choices such as poached black leg chicken breast with spinach and girolles fricassee or rabbit wrapped in speck with fried polenta, pine nut and raisin dressing. A variety of succulent steaks served with field mushroom, Provençales, tomato and a sauce of your choice also tempt the palate.

The pasta section offers pappardelle with wild boar ragout, cooked in red wine and fresh herbs or velvety langoustine ravioli with fennel and tomato confit.

An incomparable dessert selection includes almond-infused pannacotta with macerated cherries, amaretti crumble and sour cherry sorbet; and Valhrona dark chocolate and olive oil parfait with caramel cream and warm honeyed figs. A selection of farmhouse cheeses served with homemade jam, toasted bread and crackers or Banon AOC with lavender honey is a delicious alternative.

The Gallery also boasts a casual bar that is the perfect setting for a leisurely lunch along with a selection of fixed price options and daily specials. Alongside other fine dining venues including the Alyn Williams at The Westbury; the Polo Bar and the Tsukiji Sushi, the Gallery Restaurant confirms the Westbury Hotel's reputation for fine dining and peerless hospitality.

To gain further information, just visit their extremely comprehensive Website.

Zizzi Paddington Street offers a bright and relaxed setting to enjoy a delicious Italian meal just off Baker Street. With ample al fresco seating and a warm, contemporary interior, Zizzi is ideal for an intimate dinner or a large gathering with friends.

Less than a minute walk from the Everyman Cinema, the restaurant is perfect for a pre or post-film meal. Zizzi is also just a short walk from popular attractions such as Madame Tussauds and the Sherlock Holmes Museum.

The bustling open kitchen at Zizzi turns out freshly prepared, tasty fare. The extensive à la carte offers distinct sections of antipasti, salads, pizza and calzone, pasta, risottos and mains of seasonally changing meat and fish dishes with a variety of tempting desserts to finish.

Zizzi's special antipasti platter has mixed Italian meats with buffalo milk mozzarella, marinated sun-dried tomatoes, mixed olives and red onion focaccia bread. There's also choice of arancini, crispy risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella and peas and served with a tomato chilli sauce as well as gnocchi gorgonzola, potato dumplings in a creamy gorgonzola and spinach sauce seasoned with nutmeg and black pepper, setting the tone for a hearty meal.

For a delicious pasta or risotto choose between penne vodka, king prawns, chilli, peas and Grana Padano in a creamy tomato and vodka sauce; ravioli di capra, goat's cheese and spinach ravioli served with tomato sauce and topped with pesto and pine nuts; zucca e pancetta, pumpkin, pancetta, spinach, sage and Grana Padano topped with mascarpone and rigatoni con pollo e funghi, chicken in a tomato, onion, rosemary and mushroom sauce. Gluten-free pasta is also available on request.

If you prefer a pizza, then you could try Zizzi's speciality pizza rustica, which couples extra thin and crispy bases with a range of toppings such as bufala, buffalo mozzarella with sunblush tomatoes, basil, rocket and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or mare e monti, one half topped with tiger prawn, courgette and mozzarella and the other with spicy sausage, tomato sauce and chilli, all finished off with a rocket and crème fraîche. The carne piccante calzone has marinated chicken, meatballs, Bolognese sauce, mushrooms, chillies, tomato and mozzarella while the clarissa version, has aubergine, and red pepper caponata, olives, goats' cheese, rocket, pine nuts, tomato and mozzarella. Zizzi's calzon'pizzas, half calzone and half pizza, add an interesting twist to the meal.

Sumptuous mains include agnello con peperonata, roasted lamb shank served with basil, roasted vegetables and a little pot of potatoes with tomato, red onion and Grana Padano; duck arrosto, slow roasted whole duck leg in a balsamic, olive and pancetta reduction served with Tuscan potatoes and green beans; and sea bass al vino, sea bass pan fried with wine, garlic and baby plum tomatoes and served with herby potatoes.

The scrumptious dessert list offers torta cioccolata with its thick hazelnut chocolate base topped with rich chocolate torte and served with vanilla mascarpone; homemade tiramisu; creamy vanilla pannacotta with fruit compote and torta Zizzi, an almond-based plum and fig tart topped with pistachios and icing sugar and served with gelato.

The wine list is dominated by a range of Italian wines from regions such as Veneto, Lazio, Sicily, Tuscany and Lombardy. Also on offer is an assortment of beers, and spirits as well as a range of soft and hot drinks.

More information can be found on their Website.

To the melodious tunes gently emanating from the baby grand piano enjoy a sumptuous treat at The English Tea Room at Brown's Hotel in Albemarle Street. It serves one of the most famous afternoon teas in London and a selection of lighter meals, including breakfast, throughout the day. Relax in a sophisticated and stylish interior with original wood panelling, fire places and Jacobean detailed plaster ceiling alongside contemporary style fittings, fabrics and original artworks.

Treat yourself to traditional afternoon tea with a selection of finger sandwiches, an assortment of delicate pastries, fruit and plain scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, as well as freshly baked cakes from the trolley. A choice of 17 teas includes Brown?s afternoon blend, Assam, Darjeeling, Ceylon, Cornish grown tea, silver needle, jasmine pearls and organic Dragon Well green tea. A glass of Tattinger champagne lends celebratory air. If the appetite demands more sustenance, the menu offers rock oysters, crab salad, potted shrimps on toast, fish fingers with chips and mushy peas, steak sandwich and toasted crumpets with butter.

To gain further information, just visit their extremely comprehensive Website.

Located on Dean Street, in the heart of London's vibrant Soho, Cay Tre offers authentic Vietnamese cuisine in a stylish contemporary setting. Just a short walk from Oxford Street, the restaurant is the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch after a shopping expedition, and with Theatreland on the doorstep Cay Tre is ideally located for a pre-theatre dinner before taking in a performance in the West End.
 
The varied menu uses British produce wherever possible as well as authentic Vietnamese ingredients and offers a selection of delicious small plates, wraps and rolls, salads, noodle bowls and rice plates, pho dishes and mains. Whether it's small plates of grilled aubergine topped with brown shrimps, crabmeat and scallions; lemongrass skewered rib-eye beef served with fermented soy sauce or delicious rolls of wild shrimp, white crabmeat or crispy pork, each dish combines an array of delicious flavours.
 
A hearty dish of lemongrass marinated pork loin with rice vermicelli, crispy pork spring rolls, daikon and herbs or a Tiu Bowl with chicken, beef, charsiu pork and pho noodles in a tangy sour sauce is a meal in itself. A spicy pho dish of Hanoi Pho, a modern version of pho with flash-fried hanger steak and roasted garlic could be equally satisfying.
 
Mouth watering mains include roast baby chicken marinated in honey, five spice and dried Vietnamese herbs; claypot simmered Mekong catfish caramelised in anchovy fish sauce and roast Tamworth pork belly stuffed with sweet curry leaves from northern Vietnam, honey and lemon roasted and served with dried shrimp chilli oil.
 
Tasting menus for a minimum of two people have to be ordered 48 hours in advance and includes platters of stewed mallard, BBQ wild boar and lemongrass salt baked sea bream as well as whole suckling pig, lobster curry, roast guinea fowl and steamed sea bass. Set lunch and takeaway menus are also available.
 
An expertly compiled wine list offers a global selection of whites and reds that complements the food perfectly.

To gain further information, just visit their extremely comprehensive Website.