Restaurant-Guide.com
hand picked restaurants

Mobeen has a legendary local reputation for serving some of the best value Indian food in London. As with most bargain basement restaurants you can't expect the place to really look the part but by keeping the appearance clean and simple they can turn their attention whole heartedly to the food. Main courses are priced from a remarkable £2.50 and at just 50p for a tasty samosa it would be criminal negligence not to indulge. Mobeen operates on a self-service basis giving it a work's canteen feel, so not the place for an intimate dinner for two but ideal for satisfying the hunger of the local work crowd. Please note that Mobeen does not serve alcohol.

Reviewed by Linda Buttle

Zeera is a brightly decorated and highly elegant Indian restaurant situated on Mile End Road in London's East End. Appetizers here range from vegetable or minced lamb samosas, to a delicious prawn puri. Mains are divided into tandoori and traditional dishes, as well as an interesting selection of Zeera house vegetarian options. Particular highlights from the menu include the monkfish served with Zeera sauce and the salmon tikka that benefits from a marinade of yoghurt, cinnamon and star anise. Excellent wines, fresh breads and a good variety of homemade dips complete the appeal of this highly successful newcomer that succeeds in attracting a lively and enthusiastic crowd.

Reviewed by Linda Buttle

Indulge in some authentic Thai cuisine at Nakhon Thai, a smart and upscale restaurant featuring delicious Oriental fare prepared from the freshest of ingredients. At any of their three locations, you will find a friendly atmosphere and a sense of anticipation that you're about to enjoy a good meal. The lively restaurants feature Buddha statues in their decor, with elegant dining rooms and cheerful wait staff.

From their menu, the appetiser of char grilled king scallops with a red chilli and lime sauce is appealing while the crispy soft shell crab in a pepper sauce, sprinkled with flaked garlic is another interesting choice. Move on to stir fried chicken with cashew nuts and dried chillies or a southern Thailand speciality of slowly braised lamb in a mild spicy potato curry. Dessert includes a tropical dish of deep fried sliced banana served with vanilla ice cream and honey. The drinks list at Nakhon Thai offers an excellent selection, with a balance of New and Old World wines as well as some interesting cocktails.

Our reputation has been built, over the last twenty years, on offering the freshest fish we can buy each morning from Billingsgate, ensuring everything is cooked and sold immediately. Simply served, either fried or poached, variety ranges from cod to dover soles, sea bass or scallops. Take away fish and chips also available.

The fairly recently opened seafood restaurant Winkles, in Bethnal Green, is already creating quite a following. Word has soon got round that whilst this might not be the most glamorous restaurant it is the place to be for simple and delicious fresh seafood at sensible prices.

After starters such as rosemary grilled scallops with pea puree, or crab toast and seafood salad, you can move on to some equally delicious mains. Highlights of the menu include the Fruits de Mer Platter and weekly specials like linguine vongole. Sundays see a specialist brunch menu to ease you into the day with dishes such as smoked salmon pancake, eggs Benedict with hash brown, or Thai crab omelette.