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A glamourous venue in the heart of London's Canary Wharf, Boisdale offers guests a unique dining experience. Its capacious interiors, which can seat 200 guests, has a vibrant colour scheme of lacquer red and dark green walls with rich mahogany paneling, tartan upholstery and original art work adding to the stylish, sophisticated ambience. The delicious modern British menu features a range of expertly chosen Scottish specialities including Aberdeenshire beef, Hebridean shellfish and Scottish smoked salmon.

The restaurant - housed on the second floor of an Art Deco influenced city block - overlooks Canary Wharf's Cabot Square, offering fine views of the River Thames and the city skyline beyond. Live music creates a buzz with a host of jazz, soul and blues numbers from a host of leading musicians. The space inside is supplemented by a covered and heated Cigar Terrace where diners can light up their favourite cigars while relaxing in comfortable tartan upholstered armchairs and sofas. Cigar lovers can replenish their stock from the restaurant's Cuban Library and Shop which features some of the finest Cuban brands sourced from Hunters & Frankau and C.Gars.

You could also chill out at the art deco-styled Caviar and Oyster Bar, sampling a delicious range of seafood including Rossmore and Colchester rock oysters, cold poached lobster, West Coast Scottish langoustines, Atlantic prawns and Morecombe Bay potted shrimps. The superb caviar selection offers Golden Almas, Imperial Beluga, Classic Oscietra and Royal Salmon for the connoisseur. 

The à la carte menu offers tempting starter dishes such as Aberdeenshire chopped steak tartare with Melba toast, Dunkeld Scottish smoked salmon with a shallot and caper relish and ballotine of guinea fowl and Yorkshire pigeon. A substantial main course could include steak, onion and kidney pudding with poached rock oysters, Wicks Manor pot-roast pork belly and pigs cheeks served with Herefordshire cider, pickled radishes and Ayrshire bacon or Cornish black bream accompanied by watercress risotto, mussels and clams. Your choice of a range of 28-day aged Aberdeenshire steaks served with option of béarnaise sauce, garlic roasted field mushrooms or Rossinni seared foie gras could be equally tempting.

Scrumptious desserts of chilled bread and butter pudding brulée rich with sultanas soaked in Glenfiddich 15-year and served with apricot jelly, Valhrona chocolate cheesecake with ginger biscuits and crème fraîche or crème caramel paired with Chantilly and almond tuile round the meal off in style.

The restaurant's stunning Whisky Bar an unrivalled glowing amber display of a thousand bottles of the finest Scottish malts, ranging from rare gems such as Macallan 1937 and Macallan 1946 to fine varieties like Highland 1968, a 40-year old Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie Traditional, an 18-year old Aberlour and Islay Mist, as well as an extensive range of whiskies from Ireland, the United States, Japan, Wales and India.

The wine list offers a fine selection, with an emphasis on French wines as well as carefully chosen examples from South Africa, Chile and Portugal sprinkled amongst them including Symposium Blanc, Welmoed Chardonnay 2010, Sancerre Rose 2008 Cotes du Rhone 2007 and a rare Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill 1998.

Boisdale's four elegantly appointed private dining rooms, on the second floor, are perfect for that exclusive party, important business meeting or brainstorming working lunch you might have in mind.

For more information, do visit their Website.

Located in the heart of the Square Mile and only hundred yards from Bank tube station, Browns Old Jewry is one of the City's hidden treasures. Even though the restaurant has only been open since 1999, for many of its regular guests it seems impossible to think of a time when Browns in the City didn't exist.

Located just off Cheapside, Browns offers excellent wines, cocktails and delicious food all served by one of the friendliest and slickest front of house teams in London.

The large restaurant is located on two different floors with a mezzanine level catering perfectly for private parties and events. Browns Old Jewry has developed its fantastic reputation by making every guest feel welcomed and special, which is no mean feat when you see how busy it gets, particularly at lunchtime.

Browns is a classic English restaurant with a menu that evolves rather than changes. It offers a genuine value for money experience and can cater well for large parties with a more expansive budget. A plate of appetisers to share comes in either vegetarian, Italian meat or seafood form, or there are thin and crisp flatbreads topped with such delights as garlic, rocket and Parmesan. Starters cleverly re-invent some of the classic brasserie dishes; expect to find crab and avocado salad, ham hock terrine, and a fine selection of freshly made soups depending on the day.

Fish and salad dishes include Browns's smoked fishcakes witha tomato, red onion and mixed leaf salad with horseradish crème fraîche. A real value seafood platter will have smoked salmon, Browns crab mix, squid, kiln cured salmon, large shell-on tiger prawn and marinated king scallop assembled together served with brown bread and butter.

Browns's own steak, mushroom and Guinness pie is a real puller, with the rack of lamb not too far behind. Profiteroles with a warm Belgian chocolate sauce and sticky toffee pudding combine traditional with new classic, but the fact is that after years of experience in the field of what might be termed comfortable eating, Browns have it pretty well stitched up.

Evenings are a more relaxed affair as people enjoy a leisurely meal after work or before visiting one of the Barbican's theatres. The bar gets particularly busy early in the evening as office workers enjoy a beer, a glass of wine or a bottle of champagne from London's best value for money list.

Step into Browns for a relaxed weekday breakfast or brunch with newspapers, simple food and a well constructed Bloody Mary. And what a brunch it is! Fresh melon and pineapple with Greek style yogurt and blueberries, eggs Florentine, Royale or Benedict, the full English, champagne by the glass or smoothies, it's all there.

Private parties are especially well catered for with packages ranging from a full sit down dinner to a canapé and drinks event. Browns Old Jewry provides the perfect balance between the energy of London's West End and the refined sharp of the City.

For their full menu and details on private party bookings, do visit their Website.

Adjacent and only fifty yards away from the ever growing Canary Wharf, Browns, West India Quay, has developed into the one of the Docklands most popular dining locations. Carrying on the tradition set by the company, Browns WIQ is located in a Grade II former sugar warehouse and next to one of London's most dramatic five star hotels, The Marriott, holding a truly unique position in this exhilarating part of London.

In the winter months the restaurant and downstairs bar offer a warming, familiar home for the workers and shoppers of Canary Wharf. The restaurant is also conveniently located next door to a multi-storey car park and a modern twelve screen cinema.

In the summer months Browns becomes The Wharf's largest outside restaurant with two stunning external patios with views of the quay-side and London's striking modern architecture. Continually full of workers having lunch, friends meeting for dinner or the Docklands' residents enjoying a glass of wine, Browns West India Quay is the place to meet.

Browns is a classic English restaurant with a menu that evolves rather than changes. It offers a genuine value for money experience and can also cater for large parties with a more expansive budget.

A plate of appetisers to share comes in either vegetarian or seafood antipasti form, or there are thin and crisp flatbreads topped with such delights as pulled pork and apple with a barbecue sauce, and garlic, rocket and Parmesan. Starters cleverly re-invent some of the classic brasserie dishes; expect to find crab and avocado salad, grilled oyster Florentine, pan-fried chicken livers with raspberries and freshly made soup of the day with crusty bread.

Fish and salad dishes include Browns smoked fishcakes with a tomato, red onion and mixed leaf salad served with horseradish crème fraîche. A fish and meat combination of char-grilled fillet steak or 28 day aged rib eye steak are accompanied by giant fresh water prawns. Browns' own steak, mushroom and Guinness pie is a real puller, with the calves liver and bacon not too far behind. Their fantastic selection of cheesecakes arrive in interesting flavours such as baked vanilla, strawberry, banoffee and rum and raisin, but the fact is that after years of experience in the field of what might be termed comfortable eating, Browns have it pretty well tied up. A separate private dining room and downstairs bar enables private events to be catered for in perfect surroundings for up to 200 people.

Step in to Browns for a relaxed Sunday brunch with newspapers, simple food and a well constructed Bloody Mary. Their afternoon tea is a real treat at any time, and two people can get into a friendly huddle over their Most Unusual version that introduces even more indulgence into the equation, including two large G and Ts.

There is a full wine, cocktail and Champagne list with the Champagnes being particularly well regarded for their sensible pricing. For further information, including their menu and details on private dining, do visit their Website.

Signor Sassi, in London's fashionable Knightsbridge, is one of a dying breed, as once upon a time London had masses of cheerful, bright, friendly Italian trattorias, where you could always be assured of a warm welcome, assiduous service and interesting food. There was the Mario and Franco chain that set the trend, and San Frediano in the Fulham Road, where the inimitable Franco, the finest host in London, who had an encyclopaedic knowledge of names and faces, ran a superb place.

Sadly there seem to be few good ones left, however, that was until a rejuvenated Signor Sassi came into the picture; for many years the former owner Mario held sway there, until he sold it to Carlo Distefano, who has transformed its rather tired image and décor, improved the food, with a fish selection that would put many a seafood restaurant to shame, and generally brought back some of the charm that was missing.

Managers Donato and Jo greet their many regular customers in a truly Italian manner, immediately you know that you are going to enjoy the whole experience, as it runs the gamut, with the occasional singing waiter, and the fake cappuccino coffee cup trick, through to an outstanding menu with some old favourites and many more modern touches.

There is a £2 cover charge, this may seem steep, but you will change your mind when you see what you get for it, a bowl of wonderful olives, a selection of breads, bruschetta with tomatoes and shavings of a good quality parmesan cheese, almost a meal in itself.

A starter of cured slice of beef may catch your attention, though seared tuna with sautéed fennel and citrus dressing runs it close as an alternative, it is finely chopped, and beautifully presented with rocket and topped with shavings of parmesan, olive oil and lemon juice. Follow on with a baked rack of lamb with Chianti and mixed herbs or whole lobster with brandy, béchamel, shallots, English mustard and cheese.

The food is presented with style and standards are high throughout for a neighbourhood Italian restaurant, while the wine list is enterprising, fairly short, but with a good choice between £20 and £30 a bottle, including most of the usual culprits, Verdicchio, Orvieto, Pinot Grigio, Frascati in the whites and a decent selection of reds also.

So there is much to recommend about Signor Sassi, if you want to enjoy a lively evening out with genuine Italian hospitality at its best, combined with cooking of real quality, and leave feeling pampered and full, it should be the perfect choice for you. Their Website should inspire you to venture in their direction.

One of the recent exciting developments in London has been the Westfield Shopping Centre in Shepherd's Bush, and there in the thick of it is Fire& Stone, ensuring that this shopper's paradise has easy access to quality pizzas and pasta with an international twist. Feeling fragile after long exposure to a shopping frenzy? Head for some ravishing and tasty solace, freshly prepared and laced with familiarity.

Some years ago I lunched at the first Fire & Stone, in Covent Garden, with a colleague and quickly realised that here was a restaurant that meant business. The vibrancy of the sparkling new and contemporary retail centre at Westfield is infectious and a decent meal is all part of the experience. A simple but highly efficient service ensures that bookings can be made with ease wherever you are.

Frankly all this rushing about buying things can be pretty exhausting. Give yourself a break and take a close look, for instance, at the lunch meal deal. Book in advance and choose any pizza, pasta or salad from the set menu, currently for £4.95, and  note that lunch starts at 11am, going on to 4pm. Choose from amongst such delights as the Marrakech with cumin spiced ground lamb, mozzarella, mint yoghurt sauce, green olives, raisins and sliced onion drizzle with chilli oil, or the Acapulco with slow cooked ground chilli beef, Fire & Stone's tomato sauce, jalapenos, mozzarella, sliced red onions, topped with sour cream and guacamole.

For a modest extra indulgence there's the Peking, with Chinese Hoi Sin sauce, shredded aromatic duck, mozzarella and spring onions topped with cucumber ribbons, or you can go green with barrel aged feta, sliced red and green peppers, cucumber, jumbo green olives, red onion, oregano, vine tomatoes and red wine vinaigrette. From which you will note that Fire & Stone spare neither imagination nor scope.

On the main menu consider the myriad choices drawn from five continents preceded by starters that take in a range of dips, sharing boards, calamari, crispy wonton king prawns to name but a few. Their new thin bases still have the same great flavours, homemade sauces and chutneys that top the Original base, but are bigger and crisper. Salads of each and every sort abound. A range of toppings helps in adding individuality to your pizza or you may prefer to head for the pasta choices that include their renowned spicy sausage Rigatoni.

In these difficult times the number of special offers increases and Fire & Stone have that one taped too. Amongst them are the Pizza Passport, so that each time you buy one of their unique pizzas up to six you collect a stamp, ensuring that your seventh pizza is free. The best way to keep abreast of these and other offers is to sign up for their Newsletter, or check up on their Website where offers like Friends Eat Free, 2 pizzas for £10, £10 after 10pm, and Kids Eat Free, are frequently to be found.

You want to eat; Fire & Stone want to help you do that as economically and enjoyably as possible.  It's really that simple. Buon appetito!

Recreating the bustling ambience of a classic Parisian bistro this side of the Channel, Elena's L'Etoile in Charlotte Street continues to maintain its identity amidst the flurry of contemporary designer decorated restaurants. Its endearing setting, in the heart of Fitzrovia, is enhanced by elegant art deco lighting and autographed celebrity photographs on the walls. Having seen the passage of more than a century, since opening its doors in 1896, it has evolved to cater to a new generation of diners with its subtly updated French cuisine and a thoughtfully chosen wine list calculated to appeal to all palates.

With dining rooms spread over four floors, this spacious establishment's warm welcoming atmosphere makes it just the place for a family get together or leisurely dinner with a bunch of good friends. Rich red velvet banquette seating and starched white table linen enhances the pleasure of dining here. Named after the venerable Elena Salvoni, 'Queen of Soho' and maître d' at various restaurants for 70 years but now retired, it?s a stand out even in its cosmopolitan locale where rubbing shoulders with media celebrities and theatre stars is par for the course.

The à la carte menu embraces seasonal dishes and updated classics with one or two old favourites still on the list. The choice of starters include chicken liver parfait, rillette of confit duck, baked darne of mackerel, poached cod cheeks or double baked mushroom soufflé all of which makes for a good beginning to the meal. Then you can move on to main course of salmon and leek fishcake with watercress and chive cream, pan roast breast of Gressingham duck with fondant potato and parsnip purée, trio of slow cooked pork with Parmentière potatoes  or rib eye steak with hand cut chips and wild mushroom jus.
 
The dessert selection features tempting puddings of warm carrot cake served with orange sabayon, vanilla crème brûlée, lemon tart with Chantilly cream,  pave of dark Valrhona chocolate with cinnamon ice cream and white chocolate and passion fruit crema cotta, any of which brings the meal to a fitting end.

Alternatively a fixed price three-course meal, chosen from the aptly named mini à la carte menu offers such classic dishes as chicken chasseur with roast potatoes or beef Wellington, while the restaurant's signature lemon tart with clotted cream or a selection of fine French cheeses makes for a perfect ending. A pre theatre menu is also available.

Elena's L'Etoile offers many examples of New and Old World vintage on its carefully compiled wine list with a large selection served by the glass. House wines include Cuvee Duboeuf Blanc, Sauvignon de Gras, Saumur Rouge la Cabriole and Chateau de Parenchere Bordeaux.

Four beautifully appointed classical French style salons located in the Regency townhouse can accommodate small private parties of up to 30 people for breakfast, lunch or dinner while the whole restaurant can be booked for larger events for up to 140 guests with party menus starting at £30.25. Click on their Website for further information.

High above Piccadilly, The Terrace Restaurant is one of the roomiest venues in London; with its vented natural sunlight captured in the shadows of the stone pillars, it boasts a blend of old and new world within its classical yet contemporary surroundings. Compared to the bustling West End below, the restaurant offers a relaxed and refined dining experience.

Alternatively, if you prefer a chic slice of a Venetian 'al fresco', lunch can be served on the balcony.

They describe their menus as, 'Being modern European with a cool fashionable twist, serving food which is mouth watering and sumptuous - satisfying the ultimate connoisseur'.

Particularly good value - especially for a top hotel restaurant in London - is represented by their fixed price menus at £17.95 for lunch for three courses and £27.95 menu served for pre-theatre.

The menus are seasonal and during a summer visit be prepared to find starters ranging from curried scallops with cauliflower purée and crisp pancetta, ham hock terrine with gooseberry relish, or smoked duck breast with spiced orange marmalade.

This imaginative and diverse approach continues through to the main courses from organic Scottish salmon with sautéed wild mushrooms and celeriac purée, pan fried sea bass with tomato fondue and gremolata dressing to roast fillet of beef, marrow bone, camembert fondant with red wine shallots.

Their pan fried Guinea fowl breast with fricassee of peas, pearl onions and lettuce served with barrel new potatoes and crème fraiche mustard sauce make a luxurious meal for a truly indulgent dining experience.

Diners could, perhaps, enjoy a comfortable aperitif or digestif in the Bar lounge area, before or after dinner, with a wide range of wines and champagnes to choose from.

Their afternoon tea can be similarly meaningful as you enjoy 'Tea on the Terrace', this is an experience that is all too rare in London these days.

For further details, including information about staying at Le Meridien Piccadilly or holding private parties and conferences there, do visit their Website.

Located in the heart of London, close to the iconic department store, Selfridges, Ayoush on James Street offers Middle Eastern, Moroccan and North African cuisine just a stone's throw from Bond Street Tube Station and the shops on Oxford Street. The restaurant's vibrant contemporary ambience is enhanced by authentic Middle Eastern artwork and decorative touches while the 'caves' and booths downstairs are perfect for a romantic dinner for. Café style seating outside affords a ringside view of all the street side buzz while live belly dancing keeps the atmosphere inside sizzling.

Ayoush offers a selection of the best flavours and ingredients from Egypt, Morocco and the Middle East. The wide range of cold and hot starters includes classic dishes such as labna, tangy soft cheese made from yoghurt with finely chopped cucumber, fresh mint and olive oil; vine leaves stuffed with rice, lemon juice and olive oil; tabouleh; grilled chicken wings marinated in fresh ginger, herbs and lemon and mergueze; and grilled North African sausage. A special mezze menu is a great way to sample a range of the region's unique flavours.

You could follow with a sumptuous main course which includes chef's specials of chicken spinach roulade served with rice; oriental roast leg of lamb; or a vegetarian platter with a selection of grilled vegetables in extra virgin olive oil, garlic, herbs, topped with mozzarella cheese and served with rice.

The à la carte lists other authentic specialities including a variety of couscous, served with a Moroccan special flavoured sauce, and tagines, served sizzling in traditional pots, with Arabian bread, steamed couscous or rice. These include lamb couscous with tender lamb stew with traditional Moroccan mixed herbs, raisins and steamed vegetables; chicken tagine, a classic chicken stew, with the light touch of Moroccan spices, preserved lemons and green olives; and Couscous Royal of tender lamb, chicken, mergueze, steamed vegetables, raisins and chickpeas.
 
The grill offers succulent fare such as shish tawouk, a dish of grilled chicken cubes with onion, red and green peppers marinated in a herb garlic sauce, and the ever popular lamb kofta. If you prefer fish and seafood, there's choice of grilled Mediterranean king prawns marinated in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and herbs; grilled whole sea bass topped with a flavourful tomato sauce mixed with leek, dill, fresh coriander, garlic and chilli and a tempting fish tagine which combines cod chunks with potatoes, carrots, courgettes and turnips in a traditional Moroccan herb sauce. A variety of set menus gives diners other options.

The dessert menu maintains the Middle Eastern authenticity and offers mouth-watering choices such as mehalabia, a traditional Egyptian dish made from cornflower, milk, eggs, fresh strawberry and topped with whipped cream, or masfouf, a Tunisian dessert of steamed fine couscous mixed with sugar, pomegranate and topped with nuts and cinnamon.
 
The drinks list offers a wide range of cocktails and shooters, white and red wines, beers and spirits.

To gain further information, just visit their extremely comprehensive Website.

The English breakfast features Cumberland sausage, bacon, tomato, mushroom, baked beans, fried eggs and toast, bacon butty with HP sauce and English mustard and ploughman's board, honey roast ham or cheddar with pickles, chutney and bread. Main course includes crisp gem lettuce, tomato relish, onion bap and chips, pan-fried salmon and prawn fish cake and roast pork and leek sausages buttered mash served with red wine sauce. For dessert try black forest gateau and sticky date pudding and toffee sauce.

To gain further information, just visit their extremely comprehensive Website.

Famed for much of its existence for being the liberal left's favourite haunt to catch up on goulash and political gossip, The Gay Hussar has seen the likes of Aneurin Bevan, Michael Foot and Tom Driberg, Labour's old guard, stopping by regularly along with a clutch of journalists, artists and socialites. Named after Hungarian light cavalry, the restaurant was established in 1953 by Victor Sassie and continues to hold fort in Greek Street as a bastion of traditional Hungarian cooking. While no longer the venue for political skulduggery, it still serves hearty portions of many old favourites though the menu has been given a lighter touch.

Guests can experience its unique atmosphere in a cosy interior embellished with signed caricatures of politicians, by cartoonist Martin Rowson, looking down from the walls and book shelves stacked with political first editions. Relax and unwind in comfortable banquette seating in a dark wood panelled setting, which makes no concessions to the vagaries of contemporary style, while considering ordering the restaurant's specialties - chilled wild cherry soup, pressed boar's head or veal goulash with small dumplings. 
 
Alternatively, dinner could begin with dishes such as fresh asparagus and bacon salad, marinated fillet of herring with soured cream or debreceni kolbász, smoked Hungarian sausage. Mains options include grilled sea bass with leek and potato cake, crispy roast duck with potatoes, red cabbage and apple sauce, pan fried pork fillet with diced potatoes, bacon and garlic and smoked breast of goose with sólet and red cabbage. Round off the satisfying meal with delightful desserts of walnut pancakes with chocolate sauce, poppy seed strudel with vanilla ice cream or dobos torta, layered gâteau with caramel top.

The lunch menu offers great value and costs £19 for two courses and £22 for three courses. It features starters of fish terrine with beetroot sauce and cucumber salad, goose and pork pâté, mixed Hungarian salami and fish dumplings in creamy dill and mushroom sauce. For the main course, there's choice of chicken in a creamy paprika sauce and galuska, veal wiener schnitzel with sauté potatoes and pepper salad or medallions of pork fillet with bacon, onions and paprika.

Vegetarians can look forward to such dishes as fried mushrooms with tartare sauce vegetarian goulash, stuffed peppers, spinach pancakes, sweet pepper salad and galuska, thimble egg dumplings.
 
The Gay Hussar's convenient location in the heart of Theatreland makes it a natural stop for a pre theatre dinner. It offers theatregoers a 20 per cent discount on its à la carte menu if tables are vacated by 7.30 p.m. An extensive selection of fine Hungarian red and white wines, including Badacsonyi Riesling and Villányi Cabernet Sauvignon, Tokaji dessert wine, liqueurs, sparkling wine and champagne complements the meal perfectly.
 
Two private rooms, known to have held many a secret meeting, are available for meetings or private dining. You can even book the whole venue, spread over three floors, for exclusive use for groups of up to 120 people. The Gay Hussar is open from 12.15 pm. Monday to Saturday. Click on their Website for further information.