CITY SAFARI - London & Partners

DINING & NIGHTLIFEMasaLa zoNEThis group of eateries offersfantastic value, high-qualityIndian cuisine. Its CoventGarden branch has a lovelyinterior with dolls hangingfrom the ceiling, plus anopen kitchen and excellent,seasonally changing thalis.The latest branch is inFulham (583 Fulham Road,SW6. % 020 7386 5500)and features Rajasthanifresco paintings. £.48 Floral Street, WC2 (andbranches). % 020 73790101. : masalazone.comË Covent Garden. Map B6.MEMorIEs oF INDIaLoved by critics and visitorsalike, this smart littlerestaurant is excellentlylocated for Kensington’smuseums. It has two equallybrilliant sister restaurants,Khan’s of Kensington(3 Harrington Road, SW7.% 020 7584 4114) andLittle India (32 GloucesterRoad, SW7. % 020 75843476). ££.18 Gloucester Road, SW7.% 020 7589 6450.: memoriesofindia.comË Gloucester Road.Off map.Noor JaHaN 2Top-quality cooking from thenorthern regions of India,skilfully executed by headchef Santosh Kumer-Pal. Thefood is rich and flavoursome,like the special marinatedduck or achari chicken, withstylish surroundings andimpeccable service. Theoriginal Noor Jahan sits inBina Gardens, SW5 ( % 0207373 6522). ££.26 Sussex Place, W2.% 020 7402 2332.: noorjahan2.comË Lancaster Gate.Map B2.VEErasWaMYLondon’s oldest Indianeatery recently underwenta major refurbishment. Thedécor is exotic, lavish andchic, evoking a maharaja’spalace in the 1920s. Thefood is excellent – a concisemenu but with something foreveryone. £££.99 Regent Street, W1.% 020 7734 1401.: veeraswamy.comË Piccadilly Circus.Map C5.ItalianapsLEYsThree Michelin-starred chefHeinz Beck is behind thisacclaimed hotel restaurantwith beautiful décor andsuperb service. Look outfor the carbonara fagotelli(Michelle Obama is a fan), orartichoke cream, lobster andliquorice soup. £££.The Lanesborough, HydePark Corner, SW1.% 020 7259 5599.: lanesborough.comË Hyde Park Corner.Map D4.bocca DI LupoFantastic Italian eaterie,loved by foodies. Dishes areeaten tapas-style, so pickyour way through exceptionalregional specialities. Weloved grilled seafood, foiegras sausage and truffledpasta. The restaurant’sgelateria, Gelupo (7 ArcherStreet, W1. % 020 72875555), prepares its icecream daily. ££.12 Archer Street, W1.% 020 7734 2223.: boccadilupo.comË Piccadilly Circus.Map C5.caNTINETTaClose to the river in a prettypasrt of west London, thissleek eaterie is a real find.Look out for classic dishesinterspersed with cleveringredients – confit rabbitwith salsa and parmesanrisotto with pigeon ragu werereal crowd pleasers. ££.162-164 Lower RichmondRoad, SW15. % 020 87803131. : cantinetta.co.ukË East Putney. Off mapcapoNaTaThis restaurant, whichspecialises in top-of-therangeSicilian cuisine at fairprices, is also a venue witha huge range of music onoffer, both free and ticketed.Open for breakfast. ££.The BoundaryTerence Conran’s Shoreditch restaurant now offers atempting weekend lunch menu. In elegant subterraneansurroundings, foodies can enjoy traditional Frenchcuisine. Dishes range from perfect oeufs Bénédicte (eggsBenedict) to sumptuous roasts, carved at your table. Ourstarters: a cauliflower soup enlivened with the piquancy ofblack truffle, and creamy Cornish crab were both superb.My main course, bouillabaisse (a classic Provençal fish,shellfish and vegetable stew), was succulent and nuanced.My companion was in carnivore heaven meanwhile, witha hearty choucroute garnie – pork sausage, smoked ham,bacon and sauerkraut in a delicious white wine stock. Evennow, the thought of my expertly crafted tarte tatin dessert(caramelized apple tart) and the cocoa-rich spoonfuls ofwarm chocolate mousse I begged, still make me salivate.For a civilized table with friends or a romantic mealtucked away in one of the booths, The Boundary is highlyrecommended. Afterwards take a weekend stroll aroundnearby Spitalfields Market (p. 74), or trendy Brick LaneMarket on Sundays (off map). David G Taylor2-4 Boundary Street, E2. % 020 7729 1051. : theboundary.co.uk Ë Shoreditch High Street. Map A9.3-7 Delancey Street, NW1.% 020 7387 5959.: caponatacamden.co.ukË Camden Town. Off map.carLuccIo’s caFFEReliable Italian café-deligroup with excellent service,created by the much-lovedchef Antonio Carluccio. Inmodern, buzzy surroundings,enjoy well-priced pastas andmains or buy ingredients fora feast at home. Open from07.30. ££.St Christopher’s Place,W1 (and branches).% 020 7935 5927.: carluccios.comË Bond Street. Map B4.LocaNDa LocaTELLIOne of the city’s top Italianrestaurants. Owner Giorgiois a master pasta-maker,responsible for winningcombinations such as nettleand parmesan risotto. Enjoymeat dishes including porkfillet in fruit mustard andborlotti. £££.8 Seymour Street, W1.% 020 7935 9088.: locandalocatelli.comË Marble Arch. Map B3.poLpoA top opening of 2010,the style of this energeticplace is Venetian. Theshort but excellent menuhails from the region too:think cuttlefish in its ownink. It has just opened acicheti bar – a style ofeaterie offering ‘point andeat’ snacks with a glass ofwine. Aptly, Venetian artistCanaletto once owned the18th-century building. It alsooffers superb value. £.1 Beak Street W1. % 020110 | visitlondon.com | LONDON PLANNER | June 2011