Veeraswamy, on Regent Street, near to Piccadilly Circus, is not just a first class Indian restaurant in London - it is an institution, the sort of place, admittedly now pretty rare, that enthusiasts exiled to parts of Britain where 'slipping out for an Indian' is not an option, dream about as they savour in their minds those enchanting aromas, the subtle, sometimes gloriously blatant, flavours.

Since 1926, when the great grandson of an English General, and an Indian Princess founded this part of what has become our heritage, Veeraswamy has provided delight and nourishment to the millions of contented Britons and their friends. The list of celebrities is as endless as the exotic menus that have so skilfully kept pace with the passage of time.

The décor, luxury blended with chic, reflects a Maharaja's palace of the 1920s and all the glitz and colourful extravagance that they invoke. The silver painted ceiling has been restored to its original height of 10 feet, the chandeliers take full advantage of the extra space, all lending a compelling aura of the Indian sub-continent only a short distance from Piccadilly. After the refurbishment Andrew Lloyd Webber, a man who'd not normally give an over-statement, commented in the Daily Telegraph, 'One of the best new rooms in the Capital'.

So what of the cuisine? Well, as you can probably imagine by now, Veeraswamy is not just a pretty face, and the food is sensational. A menu of classical dishes satisfies those who treasure the ancient recipes and inclinations of Indian cuisine, whilst leaving plenty of room for more contemporary creations that excite and inspire.

The basis of Indian food is sharing, even if some starters benefit from more individual attention. A cuisine that covers the whole of India, favouring no particular area is offered, including some dishes that are seldom seen outside India. First courses hover between the £6.50 - £11 mark, mains around £16 - £21, with desserts about £5.50.

This means that for a first class three course dinner with wine and service expect to spend around £55, with lunch prices at about £38.

Close attention is paid at Veeraswamy to the classical dishes from homes both well to do, and bourgeois. Tandoor ovens as used on the North West frontier have always produced wonderfully flavoured food such as Kashmiri rogan josh, or begum bahar, a home style Lucknow chicken korma with saffron. A much prized speciality from the Royal kitchens of Hyberadad is Nizami Murgh, chicken breast and koftas with pine nut, lemon and rose petal.

It is a real joy to see proper attention being paid to some of the specialities that come from India's extended coastline, where 35% of the population live, notably Goa and the Malabar coast. Enjoy Malabar lobster curry with fresh turmeric and unripe mango or that Bengali classic, sea bream paturi, steamed in a banana leaf with a chilli and mustard sauce.

Indian desserts are there in abundance, though by that stage in the meal you may have normally declared a truce. And for a real treat take the family to enjoy an Indian Sunday lunch at Veeraswamy.

A delightful neighbourhood restaurant in the West London suburb of Chiswick, Le Vacherin on South Parade serves traditional Parisian bistro food. The brainchild of head chef and owner Malcolm John, formerly of Brasserie St Quentin in Knightsbridge and a product of the Café Royal training with Herbert Berger, a chic setting supplemented by a convivial atmosphere sets the tone for an enjoyable meal, whether it's a business lunch or a romantic dinner.

A regularly changing menu uses the freshest and finest of seasonal ingredients and a prix fixe lunch or dinner could begin with starters of smoked duck served with apple and celeriac rémoulade; chicken liver and foie gras parfait with brioche, radishes and gherkins or roast bone marrow, parsley and garlic crust with heirloom beetroot and horseradish. The lunch menu also includes the house speciality, and namesake, baked Vacherin with a truffle and almond crust for two.

The excellent gastronomic experience continues with delicious mains of aged Hereford rib eye with pommes frites, sauce béarnaise or poivre; confit of wild rabbit with Dijon mustard, sprouting broccoli and frites; breast of pheasant with fondant potatoes, chestnuts and chorizo or sea bass with brown shrimps butter, cockles and pommes purée. If you want to share, try the 28-day aged Châteaubriand with green beans and frites or the roasted crown and confit leg of Barbary duck with caramelised endives, pommes mousseline and orange sauce. 

Vegetarians are well-catered for with starters of poached pear with Roquefort, endives and walnuts, pumpkin velouté with sage and pine nuts or twice baked cheese soufflé, endives and walnuts. This can be followed by mains such as gratin of parsley gnocchi and trompette mushrooms with ricotta beignets or pappardelle with wild mushrooms and black truffle.

Sunday lunch at Le Vacherin could begin with starters of beignet of frog legs with aioli, Burgundy snails in garlic butter or a delicious pumpkin soup with sage and pine nuts. This could be followed by succulent roast rib of beef with duck fat potatoes and Yorkshire pudding; duck confit with green beans and creamed chanterelles; middle white pork cutlet with kale and flageolet beans or beetroot and roasted squash risotto with mascarpone.

The dessert menu is no less indulgent with offerings of Venezuela chocolate fondant with mascarpone ice cream, cinnamon doughnuts paired with apple and calvados sorbet, bread and butter pudding with aged prunes topped with prune and Armagnac ice cream and profiteroles with coffee ice cream and caramel sauce. A range of French farmhouse cheeses offers a delectable alternative.

Le Vacherin's carefully compiled, French dominated wine list complements the food perfectly and includes tempting examples of white and red wines such as Sauvignon Elégance Côtes du Tarn, Pinot Blanc Réserve Particulière, Bourgogne Pinot Noir and Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne. There's also a selection of aperitifs, cocktails and spirits.

While the main restaurant can cater for up to 80 diners for a special occasion, there is a well-appointed semi-private room can accommodate up to 30 guests.

More information can be found on their Website.

Navajo Joe is the perfect way to enjoy great American, Mexican and fusion food, perfect cocktails and funky music in the heart of Covent Garden.

The atmosphere is a careful combination of music and dining, with a cocktail dining area overlooking the Covent Garden foot traffic, and a larger dining area and mezzanine level for experiencing their blend of world cuisine.

Voted best Martinis by London and New York Cosmo, and boasting the largest selection of Tequilas outside of Mexico the emphasis is on a multi dimensional atmosphere aimed at young professionals, pre-post theatre audiences as well as the mature business sector.

Slightly set-off from the busy main floor dining, the mezzanine is ideal for private dining in groups of 40 or less. It provides a full view of the main dining and bar area of Navajo Joe. Serviced by a full cocktail and wait staff, guests reserving this area are treated to personal attention and complete access to the food and wet menus.

Joe Below is Navajo Joe's most personalised and energetic space. With suspended decks and autonomous sound system, this underground room has taken on an identity all its own, attracting a young and assertive crowd who enjoy relaxed conversation and dancing in a space allocated for the bar-goer who expects a little bit more.

Friday and Saturday nights, DJs spin an active blend of deep, soulful, jazzy house sound and during the week it could be live sax and flute or some 70s Nuggets and Neo soul with a smattering of Latin tunes. The bar is an ideal meeting spot for your party, either reserved for up to seventy guests, or in smaller groups.

Navajo Joe takes modern American dining to a whole new level with crispy duck nachos with hoi sin sauce, seared fillet steak teriyaki, and asparagus tempura with white truffle hollandaise. The menu also features South Western favourites of tequila lime chicken chimichanga with mango salsa, and asparagus and oyster mushroom enchilada loaded with sugar snap peas, goats' cheese and smoked chilli tomato sauce.

Main courses of char-grilled peri peri chicken with baked baby potatoes, sour cream and chives, or oven baked salmon with wilted spinach, new potatoes and basil aioli could be followed by upside down vanilla cheesecake or tiramisu with coffee liqueur.

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

The Fish and Grill in Putney follows its namesake in Croydon with chef owner Malcolm John continuing to do what he does best. Freshly prepared seafood with a choice of grilled steaks is served in a laid back cozy ambience with dark wood furniture and leather upholstery, perfect for an enjoyable evening with family and friends. Al fresco dining on the terrace can accommodate up to 30 guests. The Fish and Grill is a 7-minute walk from Putney Rail Station.

Diners are greeted by a fresh fish bar showcasing a wide ranging selection sourced from the South Coast and Cornwall. Rare-bred meats and the free-range poultry offer delicious alternatives for lunch or dinner. The meal could open with starters of salt cod fritters served with crushed pea aioli, Dorset crab with mayonnaise, whitebait with aioli or Carlingford oysters. The potted fish selection offers smoked mackerel with toast and breakfast radish, curried shrimps with gem lettuce and Cornish gurnard with citrus, toast and Waldorf salad.

Alternatives to fish and seafood starters include a Natoora Italian charcuterie board and English asparagus with soft boiled duck egg and hollandaise as well as salads beetroot with goat?s curd, pickled walnut and wild mushrooms and endive with honey and grain mustard.

After the appetizing beginning to the meal you could follow up with mains of grilled Cornish lobster, pan roast skate with capers and samphire, whole grilled crab with garlic chilli and ginger butter, beer battered haddock with pea purée and pea ravioli with mint butter and aged parmesan. The grilled selection includes a succulent Aberdeen Angus fillet steak on the bone, veal chop with lemon and marjoram, Southdown lamb cutlets and Chateaubriand for two with roasted bone marrow, all served with triple cooked chips and béarnaise or pepper sauce.

If you feel like going with the set menu then you could dine on starters of squid tempura with tartar sauce, leek and potato soup with smoked fish or salad of watercress, with endives, brae-burn apple, beetroot and grain mustard. For mains try aged rump steak with dripping chips, whole grilled Cornish plaice with clams and monks beard or house burger made with hand diced Angus beef, blue cheese or cheddar and bacon or jerk seasoning.

A children's menu offers the little ones dishes such as grilled maize fed chicken with mash potato and cooking juices, fish fingers with tartar sauce and green beans or broccoli and tomato, basil and mozzarella fettuccine.

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

Housed in an elegant Grade II listed building, The DaScalzo is a charming brasserie and art gallery all rolled into one, and is the perfect place to put your feet up after a busy day of shopping at the nearby Victoria Place Shopping Centre. Drawing inspiration from the traditional Parisian cafes, where Bohemian artists enjoyed food and drink in exchange for their artwork, DaScalzo skilfully combines good Italian food and contemporary art in a warm setting. Spread over two floors, the dining area exudes a Parisian feel with arched ceilings, wooden furniture and subtle lighting.

The menu features well-presented Italian dishes and there is a good choice of starters like the antipasto Italiana, a selection of cured Italian meats with olives and anchovies, sautéed scallops and prawns with lemon and chilli sauce, and calamari and zucchini fritti with garlic mayonnaise. The pasta selection is equally impressive with a tagliatelle carbonara, pancetta, parmesan and cream sauce, and spaghetti alle vongole with clams and fresh tomato in white wine, garlic and chilli.

Fish lovers might appreciate the organic grilled salmon with salsa verde, boiled new potatoes and baby spinach, or sea bass and salmon fishcakes served with a lobster sauce, sour cream, rocket salad and chips. Moving onto the restaurant?s main courses, diners can expect to find classic dishes such as scaloppa Milanese, a traditional dish of breaded veal with parsley and garlic, pan-fried and served with spaghetti Bolognese, or grilled sirloin steak with a green peppercorn or brandy sauce, chips and garlic mushrooms.

DaScalzo's breakfast is highly recommended and the full English makes for a hearty start to the day and other choices include Scottish oak smoked salmon, eggs Florentine, Benedict or royal, and a selection of coffee, tea, and fresh juices. The carefully selected drinks list features wines from across the globe alongside a selection of beers, ciders, whiskies, cognacs, liqueurs and digestifs.

There is a fantastic selection of artwork on display and DaScalzo also plays host to exhibitions and private viewings regularly.

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

Using only the freshest ingredients, the restaurant serves a variety of seasonal dishes such as cassoulet duck and pork; Dorset crab mayonnaise with avocado and avruga caviar; and hare ravioli with celeriac purée, grelotte onions and Chanterney carrots, which can be enjoyed by a couple or the whole family in a warm and intimate setting.

The desserts offer a choice of plum clafoutis, with crème fraîche and Kerala vanilla crème brûlée, which is definitely worth giving a try.Sampling from an extensive drinks list of vintage champagnes and a good selection of white, red and rosé wines by the bottle, caraffe or glass, makes for a delightful ending to the entire dining experience.

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

In upmarket Mayfair, Cocochan offers contemporary pan Asian cuisine and glamorous cocktails, accompanied by a funky lounge bar and terrace. Bond Street Tube Station is just 4 minutes' walk away from Cocochan.

Cocochan restaurant offers a wide range of dishes from China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and India in a stylish, contemporary setting. You could begin the meal with starters of chicken and water chestnut gyoza, crispy aromatic duck rolls, Vietnamese seared beef salad with nyoc cham or crab cakes with jalapeno mayo and Thai salad. Follow with mains of chargrilled lamb cutlets with moromi miso, pickled acar salad, oven baked miso black cod with edamame, stir fried tiger prawns with sambal or crispy noodles with chicken.

Delicacies on the Cocochan menu include lobster specialities, tempura, sushi and sashimi. To finish, consider salted caramel mousse, pistachio crème brûlée or chocolate fondant. Separate bar and set menus are also available. The wine list at Cocochan London offers a selection of whites and reds from all around the world.

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

Brasserie Vacherin is a stylish upmarket French restaurant to unwind in after a tough day's work or to enjoy an indulgent dinner with family and friends. The latest addition to Malcolm John's collection of restaurants, it is open all day from 8 a.m. onwards. Tasteful décor, creative lighting and a modish interior, with an abundance of pictures decorating the walls, all create an ambiance that exudes the elegance and sense of style associated with the French. On Sutton's High Street, the restaurant is a stone's throw from Sutton Rail Station and a 6-minute walk from The Secombe Theatre and boasts an outdoor seating area perfect for al fresco dining in the summer.

Good flavours abound on an ambitious a la carte menu, with a special emphasis on fresh fish and shellfish sourced from the south coast as far west as Cornwall. Reflecting the fresh seasonal flavours of traditional Parisian bistro fare, diners can expect starters such as pea and mint soup with smoked ham hock; home-cured salmon gravadlax with fennel and red onion salad; chicken liver parfait with gherkins and radish as well as goat's cheese and cobnut salad with beetroot. There are also luxurious oysters, shipped in from Colchester every day, as well as Atlantic prawns and fresh mussels cooked in cider.
 
Mains include the restaurant's delicious fish pie made with smoked haddock, prawns, mussels and baby leeks with a brioche crust; supreme of salmon with Savoy cabbage, Alsace bacon and cockle butter and pan roasted cod with chorizo, haricot blanc and basil cooked with San Marzano tomatoes. Alternatively, there's choice of new season lamb rump with warm spiced aubergine relish, pine nuts and mint, Barbary duck confit with orange sauce and braised endive or butternut squash fetuccine with crème fraîche and cobnut gremolata.

The grill offers succulent Aberdeen Angus beef burger with Roquefort, gruyere or Alsace bacon; corn-fed chicken paillard, wild rocket and crispy shallots with honey mustard dressing and dry-aged beef fillet tail with grilled flat mushrooms. The restaurant is also open for breakfast every day; diners can opt for a coffee and a pastry or choose something more substantial such as eggs Benedict with Florentine or royale, or even a classic full English breakfast with all the trimmings.
A prix fixe menu delivers value for money with such dishes as grilled pork cutlet, spiced apple sauce and celeriac mash, salmon fish cake with tartare sauce and salad and salad of chicken livers with watercress, cucumber and sherry vinegar dressing. A Sunday lunch menu is also available.

Tempting desserts of chocolate fondant with raspberry sorbet, tarte fine aux pommes with caramel ice cream, Kerala vanilla crème brûlée, petit pot au chocolat and rum baba with poached pear bring the meal to a fitting end.
 
An extensive drinks list offers an assortment of white and red wines, Port, sherry, spirits, beers and cider. Aperitifs include champagne cocktail, raspberry bellini, vodka martini cocktail, Malibu and Noilly Prat.

More information can be found on their Website.

Recommended by Les Routiers and Best in Scotland BIBA 2006, British Curry Awards 2007-10, this much acclaimed Far Eastern restaurant is conveniently located in Leith where it continues to pull in the crowds. Unlike many restaurants of its kind it spreads the net for special dishes far wider, and the waiting staff are only too eager to explain the origin of dishes and ingredients.

They have a discounted online takeaway menu. Starters of macher bhorta, tom yum and sweet and sour prawn puree are taken at random from an impressive list. Main courses include chicken Ceylon, harrey masaley ka gosht, and from Nepal the Himalaya rui khumbi, the celebrated spicy trout. Bangladeshi amer murgh uses tender pieces of chicken cooked with mango pulp, cream and selected spices. From Thai expect to find pad gra prao, carefully selected mussels, with squid and prawns stir fried with chilli.

The list of dishes is almost endless and changes as experimentation, often with the mix of spices yields regional and vegetarian delights. If you have a favourite dish of your own chances are they will be able to recreate it for you on the spot.

The wine list is an example to the genre with house wine from £10.50, and two wines specially produced by Cobra called General Billy's, "a wine that will not go to war with spicy food", both red and white at £11.50 a bottle.

Masala Zone Covent Garden is a relative newcomer to the multi coloured scene of Indian cooking. Owned by Masala World, who also own Amaya, Veeraswamy and Chutney Mary, three of London's top Indian restaurants, they aim to bring informal and real Indian food to London at sensible prices, and not before time.

They serve tasty Indian street snacks, together with more conventional offerings. The atmosphere is terrific, very laidback and authentic. They also do vegetarian food, to which the Indian approach is always such a success thanks to its historic foundation in the sub-continent, which is prepared in a separate kitchen manned by Brahmins - a nice touch.

The décor is striking enough before you get anywhere near the food with each Masala Zone restaurant showcasing a different type of Indian art. The Covent Garden restaurant has several hundred vibrant puppets from Rajasthan suspended from the ceilings. This welcomes you to another world where the genuine taste of India helps to subtly fortify you for return to the one you've just left.

Starters of spiced mash cake with yoghurt and chutney (aloo tikki chaat), vie with chana dabalroti, a tangy chickpea curry, lotus root with hunks of toasted bread, a famous sindhi dish.

Indian street food is world famous and you are most likely in for some exceedingly pleasant surprises as you scan the menu. Perhaps the adage "you are what you eat" will flit through your mind as you note the sparing use of oil, the fresh ingredients and the thalis that offer a balanced combination of nutrition, flavours, textures and colours. A gujarati thali on its stainless steel platter will offer gujarati vegetarian canapés, vegetables, dals, chapattis, rice, salads and pickles. Thalis specially designed for diabetics are available, another thoughtful gesture.

The grand thali, the equivalent of a two course meal, is for the very hungry, and the regular version caters well for the less-challenged. Look also for curry and rice plates that embrace some of the great Indian classics, such as rogan josh, prawn malai, and butter chicken, as well as Indian grills enabling an eat light approach, with chicken tikka, lamb seekh kebab, and prawns.

Indian desserts are notable for their seductive powers with homemade ice cream (kulfi), gulab jamun, falooda (a fun Indian sundae) and various sorbets and ice creams.

Drinks include several versions of lassi, the frothy yoghurt whip, a wide range of juices, Indian squash, and wine list chosen with Indian food in mind, starting at £13.05 a bottle with nothing more than £19.25. Indian and European beers are also available, but cooking this good demands, shall we say, something a touch more sophisticated. No reservations required. Find out more about this user friendly small group on their Website.