London & Partners

LA PORTE DES INDESStep inside this Georgiantownhouse and you’ll feel asif you have entered colonialIndia. The cuisine is fabulous,taking inspiration fromPondicherry in the south.Try spicy guineafowl orSamudri thali (a home-stylecooking mini feast fromPakistan) with assortedseafood. Cooking demos lastFri of month. ££.32 Bryanston Street, W1. 020 7224 0055. laportedesindes.comË Marble Arch. Map B3.MASALA ZONEThis group of eateries offersfantastic value, high-qualityIndian street food. Its CoventGarden branch has lovelydécor with colourful interioraccessories, plus an openkitchen and excellent,seasonally-changing thalis.Its branch in Fulham(583 Fulham Road, SW6. 020 7386 5500)features Rajasthani frescopaintings. Alternatively, stopby the Masala Express inthe Food Hall of Selfridgesdepartment store (p. 62). £.48 Floral Street, WC2 (andbranches). 020 73790101. masalazone.comË Covent Garden. Map B6.MEMORIES OF INDIALoved by critics andvisitors alike, this smartrestaurant is well-situatedfor Kensington’s museums.It has two brilliant sisterrestaurants, Khan’sOf Kensington (3 HarringtonRoad, SW7. 020 75844114) and Little India (32Gloucester Road, SW7. 020 7584 3476). ££.18 Gloucester Road, SW7. 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 and theservice impeccable. Checkout the original Noorjahanin Bina Gardens, SW5( 020 7373 6522). ££.26 Sussex Place, W2. 020 7402 2332. noorjahan2.comË Lancaster Gate. Map B2.SITAARAYTasty street food and all-youcaneat kebabs and curries.A fun Bollywood atmosphereprevails and it’s in the heartof Theatreland. Tues-Satfrom 17.30. £167 Drury Lane, WC2. 020 7269 6422. sitaaray.comË Covent Garden. Map B6.VEERASWAMYLondon’s oldest Indian eateryhas benefitted from a majorrefurbishment. The décoris exotic, lavish and chic,evoking a 1920s maharajah’spalace. The food is excellenttoo, and the concise menuoffers something foreveryone. £££.99 Regent Street, W1. 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, coffee andnibbles, while downstairs thedining room is a more elegantalternative, and includes apre-theatre menu. Open from08.00 Mon-Fri; 09.00 Sat;10.00-17.00 Sun. £-££.69-76 Long Acre, WC2. 020 7240 2125. machiavellifood.comË Covent Garden. Map B6.JapaneseAQUA KYOTOBreathtaking contemporaryJapanese cuisine, stunningWest End views, and abuzzing open-air terrace barmake this a real discovery.Triumphant dishes includesaikyo miso black cod, searedscallops with yuzu truffleLa CopitaTaking its name from the Spanish word for a sherryglass this wonderfully atmospheric tapas bar puts astrong emphasis on pairing its mouthwatering biteswith a wide selection of sherries and wines. The décorevokes memories of Seville’s traditional tiled tapasbars, with stools to perch on, swift yet friendly serviceand tasty rustic dishes, including many that are rare tofind outside of Spain. Homemade butifarra, a sausagewith piquillo peppers and chickpeas, is both filling andflavoursome, while the wonderfully sweet ajo blanco,a chilled garlic and almond soup accompanied withcubes of beetroot was a perfect culinary companion.With so many new and intriguing dishes on offer areturn visit is a must. Review by John Barker27 D’Arblay Street, W1. 020 7287 7797. copita.co.uk Ë Oxford Circus. Map B5.and soft-shell crab tempura.Exceptional food. Mon-Sat.££-£££.Aqua London, 5th Floor,30 Argyll Street, W1. 020 7478 0540. aqua.com.hkË Oxford Circus. Map B5.TOKYO DINERIntimate, unpretentious andreasonably priced, TokyoDiner offers well-preparedsushi and sashimi, as well astraditional rice and noodledishes such as katsu curry.Service is excellent too. £.2 Newport Place, WC2. 020 7287 8777. tokyodiner.comË Leicester Square.Map C6.MexicanCANTINA LAREDOA classy take on Mexicancuisine. Enjoy delicious,quality dishes like asadasteak wrapped with poblanopepper, sautéed tiger prawns,Monterey Jack cheese andchimichurri sauce. ££.10 Upper St. Martin’s Lane,WC2. 020 7420 0630. cantinalaredo.co.ukË Covent Garden. Map B6.WAHACASuperb chain of stylishcantinas, mixing the spiritof a Mexican market witha trendy London vibe.The menus feature a rangeof fresh and hearty dishesincluding burritos, tacos andquesadillas. Sample Mexicanbeers and great housemargaritas. £.80 Wardour Street, W1(and branches). 020 7734 0195. wahaca.co.ukË Piccadilly Circus.Map B5.Mideast & N. AfricanMAMOUNIA LOUNGEDelicious Lebanese andMoroccan-fusion cuisine,from tasty tagines to a verytempting range of mezzesharing dishes, such asgrilled Lebanese bread withveal, grilled halloumi or freshDINING & NIGHTLIFEJanuary 2013|LONDON PLANNER|visitlondon.com |85