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| Cigala |
Price:
£25 Wine: £18 |
| Jake
Hodges, one of the original founders of Moro, is the
owner-chef of this wonderful Spanish restaurant, with
big windows, light wood and simple cream decor. Cigala
can get busy and noisy and the tables are a little close
together but it always remains relaxed, friendly and
sophisticated, rather like the food. Reservations recommended.
Closed Sunday. |
54
Lamb’s Conduit Street, WC1
Telephone: (020) 7405 1717.
Email: tasty@cigala.co.uk
Web site: www.cigala.co.uk |
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| The
Electric Brasserie |
Price:
£30. Wine: £13 |
| Opened
in 2002 as part of the refurbishment of Portobello’s
famous Electric Cinema, England’s first purpose-built
cinema. A major revamp brought in soft leather seating
and chic wooden tables – and a suitably trendy
following, coming for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just
drinks in the bar area. Open daily, although reservations
recommended Thursday to Saturday. |
191
Portobello Road, W11
Telephone: (020) 7908 9696.
Web site: www.electricbrasserie.com |
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Hakkasan
|
Price:
£45. Wine: £22. |
| This
restaurant is situated down an alley in central London,
which deters passing trade and helps heighten Hakkasan’s
exclusivity. Once down the smart slate steps and past
reception, the blue glass doors open on to a stunning,
dimly lit, room, where a beautiful latticework screen
encases the dining area. Unfortunately, the effect is
best seen from the lounge-bar area outside, because
once within this inner sanctum, with tables too close
together and an ill-advised music policy, the magical
effect is lost somewhat. Neverthless, the food makes
up for everything – this is one of only five Chinese
restaurants with a Michelin star. Reservations highly
recommended. |
8
Hanway Place, W1
Telephone: (020) 7927 7000. Fax: (020) 7907 1889 |
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Mash
|
Price:
£15 or £30. Wine: £13.50.
. |
| Brainchild
of entrepreneur Oliver Peyton, who also owns the Atlantic
Bar and Grill, Mash is a novel combination
of restaurant, bar, micro-brewery and deli, housed in
a bright, open space just off Oxford Street. The bar
and micro-brewery downstairs is open until 02:00, serving
a trendy post-work crowd stylish cocktails, heady own
beers and Modern European dishes ranging from the snacky
to the more substantial. Closed Sunday. |
19–21
Great Portland Street, W1
Telephone: (020) 7637 5555. Fax: (020) 7637 7333.
Email: info@gruppo.co.uk
Web site: www.gruppo.co.uk |
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Sketch
|
Price:
£120 ; £60 . Wine: £30. |
| French
chef Pierre Gagnaire’s first venture in London,
this enormous 18th-century house has been divided into
four different culinary experiences, all extravagantly
designed by Mourad Mazouz. The Parlour
on the ground floor is a frou-frou tea room, with pastries
displayed in a jewellery case. The West Bar,
almost space age with red lighting and pod bar stools,
is the place to drink at the moment and also serves
a ‘quick but refined lunch’. The
Gallery is entirely white and filled with white
furniture but has coloured light emanating from the
ceiling and a huge frieze of video art; it serves lunch
and dinner. However, the piece de resistance is The
Lecture Room, with its dramatic design featuring
luxurious padded walls studded with gold and its dramatic
prices (main courses go for £75). Reservations
essential. Closed Sunday; The Lecture Room closed Monday
as well. |
9 Conduit Street, W1
Telephone: (0870) 777 4488.
Web site: www.pierregagnaire.com |
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