As consumers, we have to find the restaurants that suit our temperaments, budget and palate. La Môme is all about the scene and if you buy into that and can afford the bill then you will have a lovely time. It’s still a very new opening and I wonder if the Frères Lecorché have slightly underestimated Londoners’ openness to a more robust approach to flavouring. They seem like canny operators and will probably catch on. I
The Royal Forest, London’s Epping Forest Gem
With an elevated aspect, The Royal Forest, reopened in December 2024 by Heartwood Inns, was a diamond in the rough. Formerly a mundane Brewers Fayre, the 19th-century pub with rooms has been reinvented as an attractive mini-break destination. Here you can combine relaxed bathtub soaks with forest bathing, and it’s barely thirty-five minutes from Liverpool Street.
William IV Pub, Albury, Surrey
For Londoners, the magnetic pull of a proper country pub like the William IV is almost primal. There’s a deeply satisfying joy in stomping through fields and bridleways, getting a bit muddy, and then landing triumphantly in a postcard-perfect village hostelry. You know the type—a pub with flagstone floors, low-slung beams, roaring fires, and a snug where the locals huddle with their dogs, settling in for the long haul.
Porte Noire Restaurant and Wine Shop, King’s Cross
The French/Mediterranean menu at Porte Noire is the kind of food that you can graze on and which complements the extensive wine cellar perfectly. The restaurant has 50 covers indoors and a further 40 on the terrace in summer. And, they are taking the space next door to open a tasting room that can also be used for events and private hires. It’s a bit of a hidden gem and one that is well worth seeking out – despite a plethora of bars and restaurants in the area. That perfect mix of casual and refined, in a quirky setting, it would make an excellent date night setting. Now all I need do is find the man!
Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay
Samuel Johnson’s famous adage, if you are tired of London then you must be tired of life, came back to me at Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay. If during this dark and cold month of February, you have grown tired of London, I have found a solution. Book a window-side table at the newly opened Lucky Cat at 22 Bishopsgate and the view will restore your affections.
The Ivy Asia, St Paul’s
At London Unattached, we’ve been busy trying out some of the capital’s finest dining spots with a view – I went along to The Ivy Asia St Paul’s for Sunday lunch with a friend, it’s an undeniable showstopper. Just a short walk from Bank Station, this stunning restaurant is perched with a front-row seat to St Paul’s Cathedral – one of London’s most iconic landmarks.
40 Dean Street
The 1930s onwards saw Italian restaurants such as Quo Vadis, Leonis, Manzi’s and Quaglinos becoming increasingly fashionable with Italian delicatessens fulfilling the culinary needs of adventurous Brits, the local Italian community and my Greek grandmother! Nima Safaei, the Proprietor and Executive Chef of 40 Dean Street continues this tradition.
Babbo Casual Italian Dining
Babbo is a convivial restaurant with a neighbourhood feel. It is open from breakfast through to dinner and I would imagine that on a sunny weekend, it would be a good venue for a leisurely brunch on the outdoor terrace.
Six by Nico – Murder On The Midnight Express
Dining out is always a pleasure, but add a dash of theatre, a sprinkle of suspense, and a six-course feast, and you’ve got something far more exciting. Six by Nico has nailed the formula with Murder on the Midnight Express, a new immersive dining experience.
The Libertine Supperclub – Burns Night
While this was a slightly pared-back Burns night we were truly impressed by the quality of the food and by the seamless service. And, we gather The Libertine is planning a series of supper clubs – the next will be a St David’s Day event on 1st March, with a celebration of Welsh food and drink, priced at £70 per person.