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hand picked restaurants

The Rosendale has more than a smack of history about it  Formerly a Victorian coach house, with a carefully restored Royal Doulton tiled façade, it has now been taken over by the inspired team who brought The Greyhound in  Battersea back to life and reopened in June '07.

Whilst it may be categorized as a gastropub it is, as one might expect, one of a very high order. The décor is dignified and clean cut almost to the point of minimality, yet it has none of the chill sometimes associated with that style.

Starters of woodland pig's head roulade, rosendale home smoked eel and salmon, or citrus rubbed yellow fin tuna make a statement that is unequivocal and precise. Mains pick up the baton with kezie farm ostrich fillet, pistachio stuffed rabbit saddle, or pan roasted turbot fillet with squid ink tagliatelle.

Bread and butter pudding, dried grapes with homemade crème fraiche, a good selection of Italian cheese, or buttermilk pannacotta display the same firm touch. An excellent wine list is made even more so by the availability of over 20 wines by the glass, making adventurous drinking in keeping with the menu an absolute must.

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.

The Penang Satay House is undoubtedly one of the most popular restaurants in the local area, so booking is always recommended. The appeal of this place is down to a combination of great food, good prices and amiable staff who pride themselves on really looking after their customers. The satay starters are the thing to try from classic chicken to the more interesting fish varieties. From the selection of main course options the tamarind chicken is especially delicious. It's also good to know that vegetarians are well catered for here and if you prefer to dine at home they also run a busy takeaway service too.

Reviewed by Linda Buttle

A family and homely restaurant with a cool light blue interior gives the setting to this delightful seafood restaurant. Its traditional Mauritian cuisine, which is a combination of French Creole and Chinese, was one of the first fusion cuisines.

Set in the heart of Hackney, directly adjacent to the Hackney empire, the Old Ship Pub is a modern take on classic British cuisine with the inn staying true to its original concept of serving a varied and wholesome menu despite its recent change in look and design. The food is authentic, sourced from specific farmers throughout the UK, with this extending to the beers and wines as well.

The menu is fresh and changes periodically, with old dishes mingling with the new, reflecting the general nature of the clientele. The dishes mirror contemporary British cuisine with the tapas menu of Suffolk pork pie, Brixham fish cakes with lemon mayo, and a selection of British artisan cheeses with piccalilli. The à la carte menu includes roasted pork belly with mashed potato and apple blossom, steak and ox kidney pudding and fine beans, with specialities like beef and real ale pie. The substantial wine list offers guests an option to either relax with a bottle of wine, a pint of ale or one of the special British cocktails.

Take a detour off the Mile End Road, and enter an oasis within a cultural desert to find The Morgan Arms, situated on the edge of Tredegar Square, a kind of Cockney Eaton Square where bankers rubs elbows with builders, and life beyond the pub gets put on hold. Whatever their origin punters may well be enjoying a pint of Timothy Taylor Landlord or Aspall Cyder from Suffolk.

What cannot go unnoticed is the food. It's a gourmet's heaven, with dishes that change every day, priding itself on the unusual ingredients used by the chef.. The concise but simply-executed menu may include starters of devilled whitebait, lemon and tartare sauce; baked goats' cheese, French bean and walnut salad with toast and mustard dressing, or spiced chicken livers with carrot mint and radish salad.

Larger dishes are quite straightforward and The Morgan classic fishcakes accompanied by wilted spinach, poached eggs and cream sauce make a nice contrast to pork loin Cordon Bleu surrounded by broccoli and bashed sweet potato.

Lovers of red meat may prefer the Scottish 28 day matured rib-eye steak with runner beans, julienne fried and red wine jus, or the roasted lamb rump with olive crushed Jersey Royals, red onion, caper and anchovy relish.

Platters to offer a little bit of everything come in the shape of a nibbles board. You can try six different choices including feta-stuffed chillies, and roasted garlic cloves. Leave room for the dessert sampler's four chocolate puds of morsel sizes, served assiette style.

The globetrotting wine list includes bins from around the world that take in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In April 2005 The Morgan was proclaimed the Evening Standard's Pub of the Year. This remarkable pub has a beautifully carved and inscribed bar, stained glass windows and shelves stacked with books and other knick knacks.