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hand picked restaurants

There is a steadily increasing number of Scandinavian restaurants in London these days and Dansk Taste is way up near the top of the list. Not that it differs much from the overall format and as a place to go for a quick, cheap, delicious snack the competition has quite a way to go.

Outwardly quite dreary, what the décor lacks is more than made up in the quality of the food. Centrestage is the Danish Hotdog, a time-honoured piece of nutrition that has kept many a Dane going through the damp, cold winters of that corner of Europe, well laced with pickles, fried onions and - of course - real Danish bacon.

Danish pastries in all their abundant diet-busting glory abound, as does Danish ice crea

Selsdon Park as it now stands is largely a reconstruction of the original Jacobean house, a few parts of which remain including the haunted Tudor corridor, scene of several sightings. Golf is very much a preoccupation but the restaurant also features largely. Here a sophisticated and very precise menu offers contemporary delights such as sweet pepper and Bayonne ham brandade amidst formal surroundings. Standards are high all round, and are reflected in the prices. The wine list is impressive with house wine starting at £19.95.

The original concept for All Bar One was developed by two enterprising ladies, who wanted a bar ideal for women to have a drink and something to eat without the intimidating confines of a traditional pub. Little wonder, that the place has huge glass frontage, open spaces and interiors that are bright and airy. The first outlet opened in Sutton in 1994, became a huge hit, and there has been no looking back since. Today there are close to forty outlets, including one in Cologne, Germany. Irrespective of location, they have identical wooden flooring, menu and service. Antique mirrors, natural colours and reclaimed wooden furniture combine classic and modern styles well.

The menu has tapas from different parts of the world, including the Mediterranean region, Italy and the East. One can also have a variety of burgers, sandwiches and salads. Baked goats' cheese parcels, flat mushroom and halloumi burgers are highlights of the menu, as is the All Bar One beef and coriander burger, a house speciality. With the emphasis being as much on drink as the food, many outlets display a wall of champagne and wines, with beers and spirits thrown in for good measure. The blackboards on the wall often flaunt the impressive selections.

The success formula of All Bar One has been faith in doing simple things well, and that is what they are best known for. A place that is hard to define, for it is not just a bar, restaurant, café or pub, but a special place where people can unwind alone or in company.

Imperial Dynasty does away with stereotypical notions of Oriental restaurants and creates a superb dining experience with aplomb, its elegant, sophisticated and relaxed surroundings attracting numerous people who love the idea of sitting down to a traditional Chinese meal in a contemporary atmosphere. Each of their three locations is alike in their consistency to provide excellent food in a friendly ambience, and bear similarities in décor, a chic combination of dark chocolate and cream in the furnishings.

Choose from the extensive à la carte menu where starters include deep fried oysters, Mandarin spare ribs, steamed dim sum and a comforting sweet corn crab soup. The menu also encompasses tempting mains of baked lobster, beef with pickled ginger and pineapple, Indonesian style monkfish curry; sizzling dishes of sliced lamb in satay sauce, and sautéed mange tout with bean sprouts.