Victoria
RESTAURANT AND BAR
Cinnamon Club
The imperial traditions of old vs. new are perfectly intertwined here, in the updated Grade II-listed former Westminster Library, now home to the much raved about Cinnamon Club. Expect an innovative Indian menu and great open bar.
Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU Tel: 020 7222 2555
www.cinnamonclub.com/index1.html
The Ebury
Good cocktails, great rustic dining room- think of a SW1 version of the Engineer, and you’d be on the right track. If you’re dining, hit the main restaurant for French dishes like slow-braised pork belly, or for something quicker, try Cornish crab and oysters at the Seafood bar. It gets rammed, being the best pub around for miles, but it makes for a buzzy lively evening.
11 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8NA Tel: 020 7730 6784
www.theebury.co.uk
The Thomas Cubitt
If every neighbourhood had a Thomas Cubitt we would all never leave our own postcode. Lovingly restored, this place gets locals drinking real ales with oysters and fried whitebait as bar snacks, the polar opposite of stack ‘em high, sell ‘em low chain bars.
www.thethomascubitt.co.uk
RESTAURANT
Atami
The newest Japanese in town, doesn’t play on any conveyor gimmickry or fish flown in from the Far East for its credibility. Rather its affordable fresh sushi hints at great things; especially as the head chef has worked at top haunts such as Nobu, Ubon and Tsunami.
37 Monck Street, SW1P 2BL Tel: 020 7222 2218
www.atami-restaurant.com
Ichi Riki Sushi House
Impeccable sushi, with unusual cuts and creative chefs, make this our favourite subterranean den. The restaurant may be a bit small, but the food definitely makes up for the lack of leg -room.
17b Strutton Ground, SW1P 2HY Tel: 020 7233 1701
Ozu
Great Japanese served in a Grade-II listed building with fabulous views. Lunchtime bento boxes are a definite highlight.
The County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PBTel:020 7928 7766
Ichi Riki
www.ozulondon.com
Petrus
Famed for the business lunch that cost £44,000, Petrus’s name goes before it, but you’d be hard pushed to find a better place to spend that kind of money if you wanted to lavish out in style. The striking claret toned restaurant is super-chef Marcus Wareing’s baby (under Gordon Ramsay’s tutelage) and he mixes up a divine French menu.
The Berkeley Hotel, Wilton Place, London, SW1X 7RL Tel: 020 7235 1200
www.gordonramsay.com/petrus
Roussilion
This well kept secret seems to only be on the radar of equally well-kept Chelsea ladies, and clued up foodies, revelling in the finest French cuisine. There is a brilliant wine list (and genius sommelier) and two tasting menus, one dedicated to fruit and veg, and the other to more substantial fare.
16 St Barnabas Street, SW1W 8PE Tel: 020 7730 5550
www.roussillon.co.uk
Zander
Take your pick when eating, a great airy dining room, courtyard or glass atrium, but it is the epic long bar that makes this a mecca for drinking. Be sure to sample a cocktail from the knowldegable alchemists behind the bar.
Crowne Plaza London, 45 Buckingham Gate, SW1E 6BS Tel: 020 7379 9797
www.bankrestaurants.com/westminster
ST JAMES’ PARK
RESTAURANT
Inn the Park
Perfectly executed British fare in St James’ park, brought to you by Oliver Peyton. This is a great spot to get away from it all.
St James's Park, SW1A 2BJ Tel: 020 7451 9999
www.innthepark.com/innthepark
RESTAURANT AND BAR
L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon
This may prove to be a lesson in French cuisine, with legendary chef Joël Robuchon, only voted chef of the century, at the helm of this gourmet tapas destination. If you’re hungry however, this may not be your best bet, as courses are largely of the no-chewing necessary sort.
13-15 West Street, WC2H 9NQ Tel: 020 7010 8600
www.robuchon.com
Luciano
The restaurant is fronted with the glossy designer touch courtesy of David Collins- all super soft leather sofas and glittering mosaics- and becomes more of a grown up affair as you get to the chic formal restaurant. The food focus is on fresh top quality ingredients without fuss, and with Marco Pierre at the helm, every visit is a treat.
72 St James's Street, SW1A 1PH Tel: 020 7408 1440
www.lucianorestaurant.co.uk
Mandarin Oriental
Always comforting, entering the lounge at the Mandarin is like saying hello to an old friend. Interesting cocktails, and mohair covered armchairs mean that you can truly lounge in style.
66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA Tel: 020 7235 2000
www.mandarinoriental.com/hotel/508000041.asp
Zuma
Zuma – it may be expensive, but if you’re after soft shell crab and Wagyu beef, heel- toe it to this Knightsbridge fave. The bar may be packed with suits, and without a reservation, you’re probably out of luck, but if you are seated, prepare to fine dine.
5 Raphael Street, SW7 1DL Tel: 020 7584 1010
www.zumarestaurant.com
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