Restaurant-Guide.com
hand picked restaurants

YO! Sushi Brent Cross is a vital gastronomic experience rather than simply a place to eat sushi. This exciting and visually appealing Japanese delicacy, almost a cuisine in itself and going back to the 4th century BC, is fast rising in popularity for reasons of both taste and health, as well as its companionable setting. The restaurants offer a range of delectable nibbles that are attractively presented and revolve on a gently moving belt in front of customers, allowing them to sample a real wealth of varieties and eat just what they like best as often as they wish.

Contrary to many people's perception of sushi as raw fish, it comes in many forms drawing heavily on rice, fish, vegetables and seafood but the great variety arises chiefly from the different fillings and toppings, condiments, and the way these are combined. Often the same ingredients may be assembled in a traditional or a contemporary way, yet creating widely differing tastes.

Some of the most popular types are sashimi rolls, made from raw or seared slices of salmon and tuna and meant to be eaten within a couple of hours of being put together. Other options include cones of seaweed with rice and fillings and the little boat shaped parcels called gunkans. Miso soups, salads and nigiri sushi made of rice with toppings all add to its strong visual appeal.

Great beers like Asahi Super Dry and Sapporo support the food superbly, as well as hot and cold sake for those who want to sustain the Japanese experience. The menu also has non-alcoholic drinks and a limited list of wines and champagne. For dessert try the dorayaki, mochi or settle for fresh fruit.

The experience of having a meal at YO! Sushi is enriched by the unique array that appears as if by magic before the diner, with its unique colour coded pricing system. But the real pull is the fresh, healthy and tasty food that keeps people returning to their outlets across the UK.

Rafkins Bar and Restaurant at the Quality Maîtrise Hotel in Kilburn High Road, Maida Vale is defined by an urban chic comfort theme. Pop in anytime and relax in its charcoal and cream interiors, be it for breakfast, a light lunch or just a drink.  Guests can choose from a menu that incorporates classic British fare and Asian fusion food.

An open kitchen sees chefs at work, preparing fresh meals that could include dishes such as grilled free range chicken breast marinated in spicy Indonesian flavours or stir-fried prawns and broccoli served with mixed vegetables and jasmine rice. The dish that could well make your day might possibly be the 21-day aged sirloin steak marinated with crushed pepper corns, dry parsley and thyme and served with season vegetables and thick cut potato chips with béarnaise sauce. After a hearty main course, you may consider passing up on dessert, but then who can resist warm chocolate fondant with creamy vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce. A range of specialty cocktails adds customary fizz to the evening.

Planet Caribbean is a fun and brightly decorated restaurant offering traditional Caribbean fare. The daily menu is chalked up on the board from which you can make your selection and choose to either enjoy as a takeaway or to dine in. Typical dishes include ackee and saltfish and stewed fish with calloloo and all are served with the essential rice and peas. Prices here are low, so your credit card won't be needed or accepted.

Reviewed by Linda Buttle

Crouch End is certainly one of the leafier parts of North London and continuing its theme of freshness are places like Villiers Terrace on Park Road, that are like a whiff of fresh air with its graceful decorative features in a country house-style setting. The décor takes a classic yet whimsical approach; there are crystal chandeliers, fabric lamps and vintage Chesterfield sofas.

Head Chef Richard Teague places earnest emphasis on local producers bringing out some of the best ingredients around and sensibly balancing flavours in starters of Cornish crab linguine with shallots, tomato and tarragon, and braised pig cheeks with chorizo and broad beans. It's also reassuring to note that seasonality is taken into account; English asparagus teamed up with deep-fried poached egg and hollandaise, and sprouting broccoli, chilli and anchovy accompany a main course of pan-fried skate. Continue to be smitten with dessert choices such as mango and passion fruit pavlova and coconut crème brûlée.

For some time I made the mistake of thinking that no group of restaurants in the region of 200 locations could hope to maintain the quality for which I was looking.

Then one day I decided to put my prejudices to the test, walked into Oxford Ask! and discovered that I could not have been more mistaken. Their claim to serve freshly prepared quality food in stylish and comfortable surroundings with friendly and efficient service proved to be absolutely spot on.

Since then I have also discovered that a degree of consistency seems to operate throughout their restaurants, and that certainly does take some achieving, implying a degree of management that is enviable. They are perfect places for an impromptu snack, a bit of culinary grazing, or the full works, and families are catered for particularly well.

Their trendy décor usually comprises tiled floors and black furniture with well set tables that sparkle with glass, silver and spotless linen. Ten starters include crostini and bruschetta, followed by a range of salads, pasta and al forno, oven baked pasta, some with chicken.

The pizzas are stone baked in the oven, creating a crisp, authentic and delicious flavour, and they all come topped with mozzarella and tomato. Calzone introduce a touch of opulence with a folded pizza baked in the oven and topped with garlic butter and melted grana padano, whilst inside expect to find chicken or a vegetarian mix.

Amongst the specials may I warmly, in every sense, recommend the polpette al forno, a popular Milanese dish of beef meatballs sautéed in garlic with fire roasted peppers, caramelised onions, chilli and pomodoro sauce, with penne pasta, topped with cheese and oven baked.

An enticing selection of desserts list banoffee pie and tiramisu amongst them, and the coffee tastes like coffee, which may sound banal, but I guess you know what I mean.

Thanks to a well selected wine list speculative drinking can offer handsome dividends, even with prices rarely crossing the £20 barrier.