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hand picked restaurants

With a design that bears a close resemblance to a Mediterranean marketplace, Del'aziz is a delicatessen, bakery, brasserie and gift shop all rolled into one. Drop in for a refreshing glass of juice in the morning, a light lunch with colleagues or a romantic candle-lit dinner with that special someone.

The mixed mezze platters are commendable - hummus, dolma, taboule, falafel, lamb boreck and tzatziki - perhaps followed by Persian chicken kebab with saffron and merguez sausages. Lamb shank gheimeh slow cooked in tomato sauce with split pea and dry lime, and aubergine, tomato and mozzarella bake come hot off the oven and will appeal to Mediterranean food traditionalists.

The colourful array of chocolates and confectionary, dried fruit and nuts, hand painted ceramic plates and mugs, mint tea pots and glasses, and cookbooks and bespoke hampers on display may vie for your attention before you leave for home.

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

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.

Presentation is everything at The Light House - each dish arrives looking as if genuine care has been taken in its preparation. The tasting does not disappoint. Purveyors of 'eclectic' cuisine often manage to combine flavours, which are simply unacceptable to the palate, however they are presented. Here, things are entirely different with each dish purveying a myriad of well matched ingredients. The interior is a little dull, but maybe it's a canvass for the cuisine!

Recipease comes courtesy of Jamie Oliver, whose considerable investments of time, money and thought saw the beginning of a chain of food stores aiming to inspire those who'd like to spread out their culinary wings. Learn to cook under the watchful eyes of proficient chefs, or there are some ready meals for you to take home, cook and enjoy.

The menu embraces a wide variety of meat, fish and vegetable dishes and is designed in a manner to ensure well balanced assortments of nutrients are included. Take the zesty chicken kebabs for instance, here pieces of free-range chicken and fresh vegetables are flavoured with a herby marinade then skewered and pan-fried until golden and delicious. Whole sea bass is stuffed with lemon, fennel and herb butter and gently steamed in a foil bag, sealing in the juices, with a tomato and white wine sauce and new potatoes.

Sourcing ingredients is a serious business at Recipease shops and a great place for both novices and professionals to hone their culinary skills the Jamie way.

Tsunami's funky design and Japanese based menu attracts the local Clapham crowd in great numbers. As chef, Jimmi Nakamura, worked at both Nobu and Ubon the quality level is high, as is the originality of the offerings; he is also trying to bring Japanese down to a more generally acceptable level and not frighten customers away by being too esoteric or expensive. This combination of friendly and informative service and great food that isn't scared of moving away from strictly traditional Japanese dishes is a real winner. Try the cod in sweet miso or the sautéed foie gras and you're in for a real treat.

Reviewed by Linda Buttle