Restaurant-Guide.com
hand picked restaurants

Historically dominated by chains and cheap eats, Clapham High Street can now welcome The Loft, a dining experience on another level. Whether feasting, brunching or just bar snacking, diners at The Loft will enjoy some interesting food. Seasonal British produce forms the bedrock of head chef Marianne Wit's modern European menu.

Formerly of Michelin starred The Glasshouse in Kew, Marianna's aim is to deliver delicious dishes that are familiar but with a twist. To this end the cream sauce for the rope grown mussels is spiked with dill and star anise and the toad in this hole is chorizo.

Careful sourcing is a paramount concern, pork comes from outdoor reared Gloucester Old Spot pigs, all fish is from sustainable sources, including line-caught sea bass and organically farmed trout, steaks come from beef that has been hung for nineteen days and marigold-hued yolks stand testament to the quality of eggs from acorn fed, free range hens. This responsible attitude is continued after the meal is over, with waste oil being sent for processing into bio fuel.

Away from the main menu, The Loft maintains the same high standards. Brunchers have the agony of deciding between delights that include wild rabbit rillettes with sourdough toast, Vacherin rarebit and a Full English that boasts Stornaway black pudding, artisinal sausages and Guinness and black treacle cure bacon. Even those simply wanting to graze at the bar will find salt cod croquettes with aioli, a twice roasted pork belly sourdough sandwich and a good, old-fashioned house burger with chunky chips.

In this new venture, brothers James and Andy Campana of the award winning Plan B in Brixton, have created a bar offering that is every bit equal to the restaurant. With over fifty innovative creations, cocktails are divided into user-friendly categories like Crowd Pleasers, Infusions and Concoctions and Plan B Favourites, with Shakers and Movers paying homage to some of the best bartenders in the world.

A strong but succinct wine list quickly encompasses a range from great value Mendoza Valley house red and white, through the likes of Puligny Montrachet Chavy 2005 and Reserve de Leoville Barton 2001, to Louis Roederer Cristal 2000. Excellent international draft and bottled beers, such as Sleeman Honey Brown Beer and Coopers Sparkling Ale and a lengthy catalogue of premium spirits complete the picture.

The Village restaurant is situated along Queenstown Road, just a short hop from Battersea Park. The food is based on traditional Middle Eastern dishes and is a popular place, making booking a table in advance a very wise idea. The set meze option, always a good introduction for first time diners, costs £15 a head and consists of a steady stream of bread, various dips and grilled meats. Alternatively, you can choose exactly what you want from the menu and still not break the bank. The taboulah for example, accompanied by a shish kebab fresh from the grill makes for a simple but delicious meal.

Reviewed by Linda Buttle

Ransome's Dock Restaurant was opened in nineteen-ninety-two by husband and wife chefs Martin and Vanessa Lam. Martin was previously head chef of L'Escargot, Le Caprice and The English House, while Vanessa worked for many years for Justin de Blank, and had her own patisserie company.

The relaxed dock-side restaurant stands nearby the River Thames, on the site of the former Carlo Gatti ice factory. It has become an enduring feature of the London restaurant scene, winning many awards and accolades for its food as well as its wine list, and is affectionately known as the 'wine trade canteen', favoured by wine producers, merchants and drinkers alike.

At the weekends there is a comprehensive brunch menu, with lighter dishes such as scrambled eggs with organic smoked salmon and perennial favourites like shorthorn steak hamburger, organic salmon fishcakes, fruit crumbles or chocolate pecan brownies, with smaller portions always available for children.

Firefly is particular popular during the summer months when the outside terrace tables overlooking Clapham Common can be fought over with fierce competition. The menu here is classic brasserie stuff without any real surprises but if you know what you like and like what you know you'll certainly enjoy the very filling sausage and mash, or sizeable burger and chips. There's also a range of more elegant salads and fish dishes for those after something a little healthier.

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.