Restaurant-Guide.com
hand picked restaurants

If you're in West London but fancy an evening in the Caribbean then I suggest you take a stroll down to BB's. Caribbean born chef Brian Benjamin has twice won the coveted Afro-Caribbean Chef of the Year award, a fact that won't surprise you when you take a look at the menu. Dishes venture right across the Caribbean from ackee salt fish to spice island jerk chicken, all served with the ubiquitous rice and peas. BB's is a real break from the culinary norm and well worth a try.

Elegant interiors with golden walls and potted palms complement a hearty Polish menu at the family-run Kuznia Smaku in South Ealing Road. Resident pianists and jazz musicians create a lively vibrant ambience that is ideal for family and friends getting together for an enjoyable evening.

Wholesome soups of chicken with noodles and eggs with sausages flag off the meal and could be followed by dishes such as beef tongue in horseradish sauce, courgette cake with wild chanterelle gravy or a meat board with roast pork neck, pork loin and chicken roulade. Stuffed cabbage leaves with mince meat and rice, dumplings with bacon, cheese and potatoes, rolled chicken with cheese and mushrooms, knuckle of pork or Hungarian potato cake with goulash make for more substantial fare. Dessert of homemade pancake with apple and cinnamon, banana in coconut pastry or apple pie rounds off the meal nicely. An extensive wine list enhances the pleasure.

Pizza Express remains a hugely popular bedrock of casual eating. Its popularity is testimony to the fact that across the country, they have restaurants where you will always be guaranteed a good nosh, with children's tastes being well catered for.

Pizza Express has gone even more Roman, and following the success of that particular example of listening to their public have introduced Romana pizzas, including the scorching Etna and the hearty Siciliana.

These pizzas are now thinner, bigger and crispier, and if that sounds like a marketing line, it is. However, unlike many such lines, this one is true, and their quality is always consistent, though cleverly they have still managed to retain a homemade feel to their pizzas.

As an alternative to pizza, try their pollo pesto - cavatappi pasta with torn chicken breast, mushrooms, red onions and mozzarella in a creamy gruyere, parmesan and pesto sauce and finished with grana padano - or the niçoise salad with mixed leaves, yellowfin tuna, free range egg, green beans, potatoes and tomatoes with olives, anchovies, capers and house dressing.

Many of the big chains have come a long way, and Pizza Express is certainly amongst them. One of the first to be quoted on the Stock Exchange - in 1993 - Pizza Express is not a franchise operation and retains tight control through its own staff.

Their wine list - though short - contains some surprisingly good offerings, especially their intense Australian Chardonnay, and a big, full-bodied Merlot from Cusumano, Sicilia.

While some people might never really figure out the concept of vegetarianism, here's a restaurant that seems to have got it right and with stupendous results too. The Gate has been going strong from the late eighties when vegetarians were looked at sceptically until now when it has emerged as a strong culinary influence. This refurbished studio restaurant in Hammersmith is light, airy and brings a chic element to bland vegetables with their interesting Asian and Mediterranean influenced menu where contrasting textures play upon the senses delightfully.

There are starters of cassava cakes, filled with courgettes, French beans and peas with Indian spices and served with coriander and mint chutney. The main course could include char grilled aubergines filled and baked with wild mushrooms, dried tomatoes and goat's cheese custard. Don't miss the white chocolate, coconut and lime cheesecake for dessert and the wine selection has eclectic choices from across the world.

Tucked away behind Charing Cross Hospital, The Pear Tree is housed in one of the oldest buildings in the area, dating back to the eighteenth century. A traditional, cosy, oak beamed interior offers an open brick fireplace, pleasing floral wallpaper and carpeted flooring that complements the rustic wood furniture. Strategically placed table lamps and hanging lights that highlight the décor are other features that are hard to miss. The Pear Tree gives you two choices - you could either relax in comfort by the fire with a drink in your hand or enjoy a hearty meal in the main dining area.

Without any outlandish pretensions, a menu based on honest British culinary ideas with some Continental touches is to hand and you could expect the likes of Portobello mushroom bruschetta, chicken and leek pie champ and rib eye steak with pan fried gnocchi and artichoke puree. Think orange pannacotta or a classic sticky toffee pudding to close.

If you live in and around Shepherds Bush and have always longed for a small and welcoming cafe that serves boutique Square Mile coffee, homemade cakes, fresh artisan breads and gourmet sandwiches and lots of organic products, then Hummingbird Café is just the place for you.

It is situated at the top of Oaklands Grove just off Uxbridge Road, this very beautiful, cool and artistic space is has a very local, community vibe.  The food is fabulous, the coffee addictive and the brunch offering is not just full English, but everything from buttermilk pancakes to eggs Benedict and chorizo omelettes. The shelves are full of basic and special deli goods all from interesting, high quality, mainly European producers. The breakfast and lunch menu is wholesome and delicious. Pop in for a croissant, flat white, coffee, or scrambled free range eggs and smoked salmon on toast. At lunchtime, there are soups, popina tarts, panini and cake. Those with technology on their minds can take advantage of the free WiFi.

Visit their store, check out deli recipes, and maybe pick up a bottle of wine for dinner. Hummingbird Catering offers its services for canapés, dinner party meals, and children's parties.