London

Exclusive guide to the best holiday destinations in London, independent reviews from award-winning travel writers

The Balcon at the Sofitel St.James

22/06/2016 by .
The Balcon at the Sofitel St.James

The Balcon at the Sofitel St.James is that rare beast, a French restaurant  in a French hotel which has turned its back on its upbringing and decided to go native. 

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Island Grill

20/06/2016 by .
Island Grill

Having one of the finest locations in London is a pretty big feather to have in your cap when you’re a restaurant, after all it’s ridiculously exciting when you can boast you are literally opposite London’s Hyde Park on the famous Bayswater Road. The Island Grill has another pretty big feather to play too, it’s the main dining outlet within the Lancaster London, formerly the Royal Lancaster, one of the capital’s iconic clutch of famous hotels dating back to the sixties.

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Hunter 486 Restaurant

20/06/2016 by .
IMG 8785

As I walk in, Gary Durrant, Head Chef of Hunter 486 restaurant, is standing in front of the stone oven of his open plan kitchen, tucked away at one end of the small but perfectly formed restaurant. This is clearly an eatery where “tucked away” is an art form, as it is itself tucked away in the boutique Arch London Hotel, which in turn is tucked away in a quiet corner of Great Cumberland Place behind London’s Marble Arch.

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28-50 Wine Workshop and Kitchen. A restaurant that adores wine.

09/06/2016 by .

Fenchurch at Sky Garden

02/06/2016 by .
Rhubarb at Sky Garden Sized44

Just as well Fenchurch at Sky Garden is in the so-called walkie talkie building on London’s Fenchurch Street as security needed walkie talkies to manage the flow of people waiting to get up to the 35th floor.

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ROBA BAR AND RESTAURANT

15/04/2016 by .
Roba interior

With the redevelopment of Paddington imminent, the area is starting to spawn interesting new dining destinations after years as a bit of a gastro-desert. One of the first to jump on the bandwagon is the Norfolk Towers Hotel steps from the station, which has replaced their basement pub with a shiny new ground-floor eatery.

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Galvin at Windows

07/04/2016 by .
GAW Res night table view

Years before Galvin at Windows, the Hilton Park Lane has been one of the iconic London landmarks ever since its opening in 1963. I remember spending more than a few nights pretending I was actually living the life of a playboy down in Trader Vic’s. Those were the days.

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ARBUTUS LONDON

10/11/2015 by .
Arbutus interior

Arbutus London is that rare thing, a Michelin-starred restaurant in casual dress. It’s as much a place to relax and have a good time over an interesting glass of wine as to enjoy gutsy food with big flavours. No tablecloths and minimal decor, with slightly incongruous butcher-block tables playing against mirrored glass in the back room and stunning urban photography in the cheerier front parlour. There’s no fuss, just friendly and professional service, with chef as likely to serve your food himself as the waiters.

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LES COUILLES DU CHIEN

10/11/2015 by .
Les Couilles du Chien bar sign

When the name of your bar translates as the dog’s bollocks, you know you’re in for some kick-ass drinks.   Les Couilles du Chien delivers them with style in the heart of Soho.

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West Thirty Six

30/10/2015 by .
West Thirty Six interior 2

It looks like a club, it feels like a club, but West Thirty Six is that rare thing, a public restaurant with all the intimate ambience of a private club.
The fact it’s in Golborne Road is both a blessing and a curse. For those in the know, this is a charming and happening west London thoroughfare which has undergone massive gentrification in the past decade. 

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