LONDON

DINING & NIGHTLIFEyour taste buds withstunning dishes such asseafood malabar and themouthwatering Rajasthanilamb. The lunch plattersand the three-coursepre-theatremenu are evenmore affordable. ££.167-169 Wardour Street,W1F 8WR. 020 72874243. imli.co.ukË Oxford Circus. Map B5.LA PORTE DES INDESStep inside this Georgiantownhouse and you’llfeel as if you’ve enteredcolonial India. The cuisine isfabulous, taking inspirationfrom Pondicherry in thesouth. Try spicy guineafowlor Samudri thali (ahome-style cooking minifeast from Pakistan) withassorted seafood. ££.32 Bryanston Street, W1H7EG. 020 7224 0055. laportedesindes.comË Marble Arch. Map B3.MASALA ZONEThis group of eateriesoffers fantastic value,high-quality Indian streetfood. The Covent Gardenbranch has lovely interiordécor strung with colourfulRajasthani puppets, plus anopen kitchen and excellent,seasonally-changingthalis. The branch in Soho(9 Marshall Street, W1F7ER. 020 7287 9966)is handy for West Endshoppers. Alternatively, stopby the Masala Express atSelfridges department store(see Shopping). £.48 Floral Street, WC2E9DA (and branches). 020 7379 0101. masalazone.comË Covent Garden. Map B6.MEMORIES OF INDIACritically acclaimed, thissmart restaurant is wellsituatedfor Kensington’smuseums. It has two sisterestablishments, Khan’s OfKensington (3 HarringtonRoad, SW7 3ES. 0207584 4114) and LittleIndia (32 GloucesterRoad, SW7 4RB. 0207584 3476). ££.18 Gloucester Road, SW74RB. 020 7589 6450. memoriesofindia.comË Gloucester Road.Off map.NOORJAHAN 2Top-quality cooking fromthe northern regions ofIndia, skilfully executed.The food, such as thespecial marinated duckor achari chicken, is richand flavoursome, thesurroundings stylish andthe service impeccable.Check out the originalNoorjahan too (2a BinaGardens, SW5 0LA. 020 7373 6522). ££.26 Sussex Place, W2 2TH. 020 7402 2332. noorjahan2.comË Lancaster Gate. Map B2.VEERASWAMYLondon’s oldest Indianeatery has benefitted froma major refurbishment.The lavish décor evokes a1920s maharajah’s palace.The food is excellent too,while the menu managesto offer something foreveryone. £££.99 Regent Street, W1B4RS. 020 7734 1401. veeraswamy.comË Piccadilly Circus.Map C5.ItalianMACHIAVELLICharming Italian café,restaurant and deli in theheart of Covent Garden.Upstairs the all-day caféoffers breakfasts, coffeeand nibbles, whiledownstairs the diningroom is a more elegantalternative, and includesa pre-theatre menu. £-££.69-76 Long Acre, WC2E9JS (and branches). 020 7240 2125. machiavellifood.comË Covent Garden. Map B6.JapaneseAQUA KYOTOBreathtaking contemporaryJapanese cuisine, stunningWest End views, and abuzzing open-air terracebar make this a realdiscovery. Triumphantdishes include saikyo miso92| visitlondon.com|LONDON PLANNER|May 2013