Guidebook for Greater London
Food Scene
Much like its Westminster neighbour, Roux at Parliament Square curries favour with society’s well-heeled decision-makers. In the restaurant, there’s little to surprise those accustomed to fine dining. Starters of celeriac with goats’ cheese and truffle might precede halibut with cauliflower or venison and savoy cabbage; this, of course, after a snack of mushroom crisps on upon sitting down and ordering Chablis. The likes of dashi and consomme are poured tableside, naturally. It’s classic, and fairly grand formula certainly catering to its environs. Despite the name, no Roux chef has shouted at the pass here for years. Instead, it is Steve Groves, who in 2009 won MasterChef: The Professionals
Roux at Parliament Square
Parliament SquareMuch like its Westminster neighbour, Roux at Parliament Square curries favour with society’s well-heeled decision-makers. In the restaurant, there’s little to surprise those accustomed to fine dining. Starters of celeriac with goats’ cheese and truffle might precede halibut with cauliflower or venison and savoy cabbage; this, of course, after a snack of mushroom crisps on upon sitting down and ordering Chablis. The likes of dashi and consomme are poured tableside, naturally. It’s classic, and fairly grand formula certainly catering to its environs. Despite the name, no Roux chef has shouted at the pass here for years. Instead, it is Steve Groves, who in 2009 won MasterChef: The Professionals
The Cinnamon Club is surely for a particular set of suited Parliamentary visitors, where sitting down to a £95 set menu of contemporary, lavish Indian cuisine garlanded in saffron and gold leaf is simply part of daily life. The restaurant is an institution and the setting — a Grade II-listed library, somewhere near Westminster Abbey in dark streets where wobbly deals are done — is impressive. The food offers enough invention so as to be interesting (think galouti kebab mille feuille), while ticking necessary boxes. While dishes such as curried lobster bisque and lamb rogan josh are strenuous on the bank balance, the £6.50 filled naans .
45 locals recommend
The Cinnamon Club
Great Smith StreetThe Cinnamon Club is surely for a particular set of suited Parliamentary visitors, where sitting down to a £95 set menu of contemporary, lavish Indian cuisine garlanded in saffron and gold leaf is simply part of daily life. The restaurant is an institution and the setting — a Grade II-listed library, somewhere near Westminster Abbey in dark streets where wobbly deals are done — is impressive. The food offers enough invention so as to be interesting (think galouti kebab mille feuille), while ticking necessary boxes. While dishes such as curried lobster bisque and lamb rogan josh are strenuous on the bank balance, the £6.50 filled naans .
The brainchild of Greg Marchard, the French chef who was dubbed ‘Frenchie’ by his former boss Jamie Oliver, it looks more like a chic New York brasserie than a petit French restaurant, while the menu echoes his travels between London and the Big Apple. When we visited, the menu was full of summer flavors: the courgette flower tempura was simultaneously crunchy and juicy; the stone bass with Provencal vegetables was almost too beautifully presented to eat; the duck fois-gras garnished with seasonal apricot, verbena and pistachio was rich and fruity; while the tomato and gooseberry salad was something we’ll be recreating at home.
31 locals recommend
Flat Iron Covent Garden
17-18 Henrietta StThe brainchild of Greg Marchard, the French chef who was dubbed ‘Frenchie’ by his former boss Jamie Oliver, it looks more like a chic New York brasserie than a petit French restaurant, while the menu echoes his travels between London and the Big Apple. When we visited, the menu was full of summer flavors: the courgette flower tempura was simultaneously crunchy and juicy; the stone bass with Provencal vegetables was almost too beautifully presented to eat; the duck fois-gras garnished with seasonal apricot, verbena and pistachio was rich and fruity; while the tomato and gooseberry salad was something we’ll be recreating at home.
Just around the corner from the Royal Opera House, Jidori is the second outpost of the already much-loved small plates restaurant of the same name in Dalston. The main focus of the menu here is their yakitori - grilled chicken skewers - with dishes inspired by the smoky backstreets of Tokyo’s Shinjuku district. The skewers here are made from the highest quality chickens and cooked over Tokyo’s famous Kama-Asa Shoten grill, so are as authentic as any you would find in Japan. Their homemade pickles, tuna sashimi and donburi rice bowls are also well worth checking out. We particularly love their 12-seater private dining and karaoke room – with over 8,000 songs to choose from.
30 locals recommend
Jidori
89 Kingsland High StJust around the corner from the Royal Opera House, Jidori is the second outpost of the already much-loved small plates restaurant of the same name in Dalston. The main focus of the menu here is their yakitori - grilled chicken skewers - with dishes inspired by the smoky backstreets of Tokyo’s Shinjuku district. The skewers here are made from the highest quality chickens and cooked over Tokyo’s famous Kama-Asa Shoten grill, so are as authentic as any you would find in Japan. Their homemade pickles, tuna sashimi and donburi rice bowls are also well worth checking out. We particularly love their 12-seater private dining and karaoke room – with over 8,000 songs to choose from.
Palm Court Brasserie is the perfect little French place you've always dreamed of. Its flickering candles, hushed music, French posters and distressed mirrors recall a simpler time, where the PING of an Outlook notification becomes a distant memory. Is there anything quite so delightful as that soft yellow-orange colour scheme? Well, maybe one thing: the food. Their seafood linguine is a marvel and you could spend hours perusing that extensive wine list. Don't fancy a whole bottle of vino? The nifty bartenders know how to mix a drink: their aperitif champagne cocktails are a refreshing pick-me-up and their Old Fashioneds deliver the smooth, languid sophistication that the French are known for
Palm Court Brasserie
39 King StPalm Court Brasserie is the perfect little French place you've always dreamed of. Its flickering candles, hushed music, French posters and distressed mirrors recall a simpler time, where the PING of an Outlook notification becomes a distant memory. Is there anything quite so delightful as that soft yellow-orange colour scheme? Well, maybe one thing: the food. Their seafood linguine is a marvel and you could spend hours perusing that extensive wine list. Don't fancy a whole bottle of vino? The nifty bartenders know how to mix a drink: their aperitif champagne cocktails are a refreshing pick-me-up and their Old Fashioneds deliver the smooth, languid sophistication that the French are known for
Drinks & Nightlife
Offering one of the best nights out near Embankment, this nightclub-cum-entertainment venue is the perfect spot for dinner, drinks, a stunning cabaret show, or an all night blow out of glitz and glamour.
60 locals recommend
Proud Embankment
8 Victoria EmbankmentOffering one of the best nights out near Embankment, this nightclub-cum-entertainment venue is the perfect spot for dinner, drinks, a stunning cabaret show, or an all night blow out of glitz and glamour.
A cosy wine bar located beneath the arches of Charing Cross, head to Champagne Charlie's for fresh British food and a crisp glass of wine. It's a shoo-in for after-work drinks, and the host of private dining rooms come complete with all kinds of antiques and quirky trinkets.
Champagne Charlies
17 Villiers StA cosy wine bar located beneath the arches of Charing Cross, head to Champagne Charlie's for fresh British food and a crisp glass of wine. It's a shoo-in for after-work drinks, and the host of private dining rooms come complete with all kinds of antiques and quirky trinkets.
Bringing Latin vibes to Embankment, Salsa! is a fun and casual restaurant and bar that parties until the early hours. Kick things off with one of their South American plates before moving on to cocktails or a salsa classes.
23 locals recommend
Salsa! Soho
96 Charing Cross RoadBringing Latin vibes to Embankment, Salsa! is a fun and casual restaurant and bar that parties until the early hours. Kick things off with one of their South American plates before moving on to cocktails or a salsa classes.