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hand picked restaurants

Gourmet Burger Kitchen was the brainchild of three New Zealanders, who craved after the way that food tasted back home. The chain was instrumental in changing the perception of many people who saw the traditional burger purely as a fast food option; instead they are now seen as more sophisticated products, made using fresh, good quality ingredients.

Their first outlet opened in Battersea and today there are forty-one serving scrumptious burgers. Chef Peter Gordon believes in using innovative combinations, with good quality English chicken and Aberdeen Angus Scotch beef among the ingredients, to make nutritious and convenient to eat fare. They offer chorizo and sweet potato, lamb and minted relish, or the vegetarian portabella mushroom among others. GBK sauces and accompaniments add to their taste.

The menu has nearly thirty different choices and if you feel like biting into pure beef, do try their classic burger with salad and relish - available with or without cheese, this is served with sauces like smoked mayo, spicy satay, fresh chilli and Thai red curry, lending the meal varying degrees of spice.

Some, like the Kiwi, are made using unusual raw materials such as beetroot, fried egg and pineapple, while for fans of chicken, the grilled breast with streaky bacon, salad and avocado is a delicious combination. There are a surprising number of burgers suitable for vegetarians with versions made from puy lentils, potato, green curry or aubergine served with goats' cheese and sun blushed tomatoes. Fresh fruit juices, soft drinks and milkshakes are alcohol free options.

A welcome list of wines and beers complete the picture of a relaxed and modern environment as Gourmet Burger King excels in making the humble burger taste so good.

Combining high service standards with quality food, Jewel In The Crown in Sheen offers a pleasant comfortable environment for Indian fine dining. Guests can look forward to a menu that lists many regional specialities in addition to popular traditional dishes.

The menu features a host of tandoori specialities, seafood options, vegetarian dishes, biryanis and traditional breads. You could begin the meal with onion bhajees, vegetable samosas, king prawn puri or spicy fried chicken. Then progress to lamb bhuna or pathia, chicken dhansak or jalfrezi, or garlic chicken with green chillies, onions, tomatoes, herbs and specials spices. Prawn tenga, with fresh garlic, tomato, onion, lemon, turmeric and tomato purée, and king prawn delight served with a spicy boiled egg add more variety to the menu. Vegetable and lamb tikka biryanis along with Peshawari naan, tandoori roti and paratha accompany the main course. A range of spirits, wines and champagnes gives extra pleasure.

Aquum is stylish and sexy, bringing a degree of sophistication to Clapham High Street that you would normally expect from the West End, spiking the glamour quotient to exciting levels. The decor is funky and modernistic but not clinical, so don't be surprised to find intimate booths and a sensational bar which all tie up together into a neat and explosive package. Plenty of events are held regularly, making it the hub of those who frequent such gatherings while their culinary expertise is indeed laudable.

They serve food from 12 pm to 10 pm, a longish period of time within which you are most likely to try out a full-fledged meal or even a light snack. Look out for the swordfish steak served with avocado, tomato, chilli and coriander salsa on a bed of crushed new potatoes or simply opt for the charcuterie platter served with pickles and bread. Fine wines, cocktails and some truly amazing international beers keep you from staying thirsty at Aquum.

This small but perfectly formed Spanish tapas restaurant can be found on Arthur Road, just along from Wimbledon Park tube station. The dining area is set out on two levels with a petite but well stocked bar area and Spanish artefacts decorate the place to give it a distinctive Spanish feel. On the menu you'll find all your tapas favourites from garlic prawns and patatas bravas, to a particularly good tortilla and a generously portioned Estella salad that's a main course in its own right. In addition to tapas there's a main course menu and a great selection of mostly Spanish wines and beers.

Reviewed by Linda Buttle

Gastro is situated very conveniently opposite the Clapham Picture house. With its red neon "restaurant" sign glowing in the darkness it is reminiscent of classical Parisian eateries from the outside. Going inside cannot disappoint any self respecting francophile gourmet: both its menu and wine list are as authentic as you can get outside France to that unique and quintessentially gallic dining experience.

The first clue of what is to come is the mandatory provision of fresh bread and unsalted butter; something of a rarity in all but the pricier restaurants. The staff also happen to contribute to the illusion of stepping momentarily across the channel as they appear to be uniformly recruited on the basis of French ethnicity. Not only does this add authenticity, it enforces the impression that it takes someone of continental upbringing to show passion for food even when their only role is to serve and take care of visiting diners.

The average cost for a two course meal for two is around £50 including

rather nice wine.

Reviewed by Tom Coady.

Sultan's Kitchen in Queenstown Road, Battersea promises low fat, colour-free Indian cuisine for the health conscious. Guests can chill out in a relaxed unpretentious atmosphere. Free home delivery offers more convenience.

The robust flavours of the Punjab find full favour at Sultan's. Enjoy an extensive tandoori selection with anything from grilled chicken to king prawns marinated in spicy yoghurt. A range of curries including murgh handi laziz, pieces of chicken cooked in a blend of spices and coconut cream, and tava gosht Lahori, pan tossed lamb tikka with fresh tomatoes, capsicum, onion, coriander, chillies, garlic, ginger and chillies, also provides  pleasure. Seafood enthusiasts can delight in sweet and sour king prawns in a hot spicy sauce and peri peri prawns. Aromatic basmati rice with spices, mushroom rice, lamb biryani, paratha stuffed with potatoes or cheese and garlic naan bread adds more substance to the meal. Kingfisher or Cobra beer as always soothes the palate.

Bright and brash Tex-Mex is the name of the game at Café Sol. Complete with a predictable Mexican themed interior and familiar menu, Café Sol holds little in the way of surprises, yet remains a firm favourite working on the old adage that diners know what they like and like what they know. Come here for good priced fajitas, nachos and the likes and a good cold beer or two without breaking the bank.

Reviewed by Linda Buttle