19 February 2018

19 February, 2018 / The Comedy Store, Oxendon Street, Piccadilly Everyone needs a little laughter in their life and The Comedy Store is one of those places in downtown London that guarantees the ritual abuse of the audience; a run down on current affairs; and a completely random suite of improvised gags that genuinely hurts. This place is all about the talent, the wit and the relationship between the night's portfolio of comedians and the audience. You're not seeing a show, you're in it. Consider the fact you're not visiting this place for the menu, but sustenance is available if required. www.thecomedystore.co.uk/london

18 February 2018

18 February, 2018 / The Lotus Garden, Macclesfield Street The Lotus Garden is one of Chinatown's oldest restaurants. With its traditional green pagoda canopy adorning the red and gold painted exterior it looks every bit as it should. No bookings are required, the welcome form the staff is efficient and polite and with 150 seats over three floors there is plenty of space for romantic meals or for family parties. The menu is vast and the dim sum, crispy duck, fresh lobster and supreme hot pot are the specialities of the house. www.lotusgardenchinatown.com

17 February 2018

17 February, 2018 / The Princess Victoria, Earls Court Road Susie Pacheco's Spanish roots inspire this particular eatery's tapas and small plate menu. With a bar and informal dining downstairs and with a restaurant format upstairs (Also available for private hire) the format of this particular establishment is surprising, but super! The original property dates back to 1830 but the vibe, the service and the food is fresh and current. www.princessvictoriakensington.com

16 February 2018

16 February, 2018 / Waxy's Little Sister, Wardour Street A little piece of Ireland in the heart of Chinatown? Set over two floors this hostelry has all of the vibe of Ireland with its open fires, leather sofas and with an unexplainably positive vibe. Humour, laughter, warmth, this place has it all. And that includes the dumb waiter that supplies your every need without you having to venture from your seat. Somehow ridiculous, but its novelty simply has to be tried! www.waxyoconnors.co.uk/index.php/little-sister

15 February 2018

15 February, 2018 / Nouvelle Delicatessan, Abingdon Road, Kensington Sometimes you just want a smoothie, a good quality breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea and some peace and quiet. Open from 7.30am to 7.00pm seven days a week and with a menu that extends far beyond that which you would normally expect, this little cafe absolutely delivers. Having previously been a wooden flooring shop the previous tenants left a showpiece of a floor. Popular with local residents and just to the South of Kensington High Street this is one address to keep in mind if you're in the area. www.cafenouvelle.co.uk

14 February 2018

14 February, 2018 / L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, West Street Convivial gastronomy? Is there such a thing? This has been described as the best bar food on the planet. But whilst you may be seated at the bar, this really can't be described as such because the menu is genuinely of a quality to rival any of the finest restaurants in London, and beyond. Opulent surroundings, well dressed patrons, chefs who really know what they are doing and service that is attentive and courteous from the moment you walk in the door. Everything about L'Atelier is excellent. Dress well to enjoy the experience. www.joelrobuchon.co.uk/latelier

13 February 2018

13 February, 2018 / Kettner's Town House, Romilly Street August Kettner was rumoured to have been chef to Napoleon III. He established Kettner's in London during 1867 and its "cabinet peculiers" (Private dining rooms) have seen many famous faces thoughout its history including Winston Churchill, Oscar Wilde, Margaret Thatcher, Agatha Christie and Bing Crosby to name but a few. Its earlier history as the alleged meeting place of King Edward VII and his mistress Lillie Langtree also earned it a risqué reputation back in the day. The residence now consists of 33 hotel rooms, a piano bar, a champagne bar and a restaurant with a menu reminiscent of its founder's French origins. The atmosphere throughout is positive and vibrant. www.kettnerstownhouse.com

12 February 2018

12 February, 2018 / The Ivy, West Street Famous for its celebrity clientele and with its famous harlequin stained glass windows, The Ivy has been around since 1917. Having undergone a makeover in 2015 under the direction of Martin Brudnizki's design team the property is now the epitome of glamour and chic. Whilst reservations for the restaurant are essential the central dining bar welcomes walk-ins. If you are in London and want to know where it's at? This is pretty much the answer. www.the-ivy.co.uk

11 February 2018

11 February, 2018 / The Britannia, Allen Street Located on the site of what was the Britannia Brewery and formerly known as The Brewery Tap, this gastropub in Kensington has a history dating back to 1834. Beyond this it is a peaceful and welcome haven away from the bustle of Kensington High Street. The menu is extensive and the quality superb. Add to that excellent service, an open fire, comfortable seating in leather armchairs and a lovely ambience. Thoroughly recommended, especially for its Sunday lunch service. www.britanniakensington.co.uk

10 February 2018

10 February, 2018 / Parsons, Endell Street This little restaurant on Endell Street is a relative of The 10 Cases located just opposite. As such it has the same extensive wine list but this is very much a seafood restaurant. With deliciously crafted starters, side dishes, desserts and savouries the main course is all about the daily specials written by hand on to the wall tiles and mirrors. With its unassuming facade and its fresh menu this is definitely worth a visit. www.parsonslondon.co.uk

9 February 2018

9 February, 2018 / The 10 Cases, Endell Street The principle of The 10 Cases is simple. It only ever buys 10 cases of each wine which assures a constantly evolving wine list. The theme continues with 10 tables and Chef Cathal O'Malley's constantly changing menus for lunch, dinner, for the specials and sharing plates (Recommended!) makes for something of an adventure at every visit. The 10 Cases Wine Cave next door extends the wine choice yet further and wines can be purchased and consumed for a corkage fee. Always full, always buzzing. www.10cases.co.uk

8 February 2018

8 February, 2018 / Paxton & Whitfield, Jermyn Street Cheese since 1797. And by Royal Appointment too. With everything anyone could ever need for a cheese board, a cheese gift or even a cheese wedding cake, (Yes really!) the team here are quite clear about where their passions lie. There's even have a cheese society with regular bulletins you can sign up for. www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk

7 February 2018

7 February, 2018 / The Tank & Paddle, Heddon Street Quietly positioned just off the South Western side of Regent Street is a new concept restaurant founded on all too familiar food and drink pairing of pizza and beer! (The Tank referring to the copious quantities of artisan beer and the Paddle referring to the tool being used to retrieve the freshly made pizza.) A full-sized shuffleboard and a decent soundtrack make this a good social evening out. It's open until the early hours too! www.tankandpaddle.co.uk

6 February 2018

6 February, 2018 / The Red Lion, Duke of York Street Whilst there has been a public house on this site since 1788, the current property was constructed in 1821 and is a picture perfect example of Victorian architecture. The ornately etched and engraved exterior glasswork is thought to have been created by Walter Gibb and Sons of Blackfriars, famous for their craftsmanship and detail. On the inside the abundance of mirrors is hard to miss. A story is told of a local magistrate who commissioned their installation in order to reduce the privacy of the pub's snugs to smite the activity of local women of the night. Given the sheer volume of glasswork and mirrors throughout the establishment t is amazing this miniature crystal palace managed to survive the blitz! Be aware it's closed on Sundays! www.redlionmayfair.co.uk

5 February 2018

5 February, 2018 / The Rock 'n' Sole Plaice, Shorts Gardens London's oldest fish and chip shop was founded in 1871 and it's something of an institution. The ground floor entrance is almost a rite of passage to everything traditional in the fish and chip world with the fryers dominating the space and the staff smart and hard-working in their whites. The menu is traditional with the odd nod towards contemporary taste in the form of a range of pies and curry sauce. There are alfresco tables and chairs available (Beware of the seagulls in the summer!) and a downstairs seating area which, as the story goes, served as a meeting place for volunteers who were responsible for food distribution during the second world war. www.rockandsoleplaice.com

4 February 2018

4 February, 2018 / The Wolseley, Mayfair Designed by the architect William Curtis-Green, The Wolseley was originally constructed as a car showroom for Wolseley Motors. Nowadays it is a national treasure and is best described as an all-day cafe and restaurant in the grand European tradition. The decor is grandiose, glamorous and art-deco and whilst booking is advisable a number of tables are also kept aside for 'polite and prepared-to-wait' walk-in customers. The menu is eclectic ranging from a full english breakfast to kedgeree, steak tartare and oysters. The Afternoon High-Tea is also special in its own right. This is a place everyone should visit at least once in their life. www.thewolseley.com

3 February 2018

3 February, 2018 / Sarastro, Drury Lane Referred to by those in the know as "The show after the show", this isn't dinner, it's theatre! From the erotic art to the ten opera boxes and their balconies that look on to the main floor, Sarastro is a veritable wonderland of interior design, fun and food. Live jazz piano is played on Monday evenings but at all other times there is opera and classical music in accompaniment to a super menu. It's simply impossible to leave here without a smile and a story. Everything about this restaurant is unexpected, and wonderful. www.sarastro-restaurant.com

2 February 2018

2 February, 2018 / Peyton and Byrne, Russell Street Cakes, tarts and biscuits to die for. This little cafe and bakery in Convent Garden is a fabulous place to take the weight off your feet and indulge in a coffee and something from the cake counter. Whilst the range on offer is extensive it's definitely the traditional range of Bakewell Tart, Treacle Tart, the Jaffa Cake or the Lemon Meringue Pie that need to be tried. www.pandbbakeries.com

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1 February 2018

1 February, 2018 / The Wellington, Strand There has been a pub on this site since 1903. With its neo-Gothic interior and retaining many original features including its long wooden bar, the Wellington was named after Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, whose historic victory over Napoleon in 1815 ned the Napoleonic Wars. http://bit.ly/2Exk0nE