So glad London’s commitment to Peruvian food is unwavering. Lima Floral is casual sister to Michelin-starred Lima Fitzrovia. Very more-ish. Beef sudado with quinoa so good I am now the proud owner of a packet of the stuff. Monkfish fleshier & more tender than a wealthy Edwardian’s derrière. Desserts are a bit… though. Go downstairs for Pisco sours & bites
7/10
£45 a head – 3 courses and a Pisco sour
14 Garrick St, Covent Garden WC2E 9BJ
Great British Menu chef. Pork belly, langoustine (perfect), smoked pineapple and black pudding (foam? Paste?) to start. Excessive. Dessert named ‘Buttermilk’ was anything but. What I imagine snorting a line of citric acid would do to the roof of my mouth. Mains are done well. Food a little desperate to please. Charming centrepiece bar and service saves it.
5/10
£50 a head – 3 courses and half a bottle of wine
96 Kensington High Street, London W8 4SG
Menu appears to be utterly underwhelming and desserts at £10 a pop? I almost choked on my tap water. But my god those dishes are beautifully executed & damn tasty too. The haute couture of 2014 food. All cooked & prepped in an open kitchen. I’m still squealing over the beef carpaccio and lavender crème brûlée . I’ll give you a fiver if it doesn’t get a star.
8/10
£70 a head – 6 course tasting menu and half a bottle of wine
Town Hall Hotel, Patriot Square, London E2 9NF
Mind changed. Organic wine does not have to taste like cow manure. 250 wines to choose from. Pork belly is good. When isn’t it? Pollock too. Not mind blowing stuff here, but good enough. Wine geeks, prepare to be wooed. 3 courses + cheeky amuse bouche at £23. Upstairs is good looking. A real actual wine bar that does real actual food. It’s hard to fault it.
6.5/10
£50 a head – 3 courses and half a bottle of wine
12A Newburgh St, London W1F 7RR
Rose scented milk pudding
How do I pronounce it? Not like Paloma Faith. More ‘pal-leh-mar’. Pink & Blue. Good vibes. Service is on point. Food is on point. Polenta to die for (usually that sad looking cling on side dish). Pork tagine. Walk in for the chef’s counter, it doesn’t take bookings. Don’t be rude – offer them shots and they’ll join you. Legit for pre-theatre and Soho cool.
8/10
£40 a head with a cocktail
34 Rupert St, London W1D 6DN
Restaurant in 360 