CITY SAFARI - London & Partners

Atelier Des ChefsHow about learning new skills,having fun with new people andeating a fantastically good lunch– all for £15? French cookingschool Atelier Des Chefs’ newconcept is Cook Eat & Run, whereyou’ll receive a cooking lessonand eat your finished product, allwrapped up in about 30 minutes.We chose to learn how to dothe crisp fillet of sea bream withbroad bean, pea and feta pesto(though the many classes include Chinese pork, glazed duck with passion fruit and orangeand salmon tartare), and took our places at the Atelier’s premises just off Oxford Street.Chef Satti Welaratne showed us our tasks, plus the various techniques for making thedish efficiently. As someone who cooks a lot at home I expected all of this to be old news,but I discovered my cutting style was all wrong, and I’ve used the new way ever since. Thefinished dish was delicious – the fresh fish and clean tastes of the beans and peas wentbeautifully with the rich, creamy feta and potato, and it was all the tastier for having cookedit ourselves. How’s that for a result? Hermione Crawford19 Wigmore Street, W1. % 020 7499 6580. : atelierdeschefs.co.ukË Bond Street. Map B4.bEDForD & sTraNDThis charming, attractive andwell-located bar and bistroboasts an extensive wine listand a menu which focuseson superbly executedEuropean classics. Try thefillet steak tartare with quail’segg or salad Niçoise. ££.1a Bedford Street, WC2.% 020 7836 3033.: bedford-strand.comË Leicester Square.Map C6.EL pIraTaThe buzzy atmosphereattests to the quality andvalue of the tapas here. Trythe chilli prawns, bean stewand patatas bravas. ClosedSun. A second branch,El Pirata de Tapas (115Westbourne Grove, W2.% 020 7727 5000), hassleeker décor but equallyexcellent dishes. £.5-6 Down Street, W1.% 020 7491 3810.: elpirata.co.ukË Green Park. Map C4.GorDoN ramsayThree Michelin-starredrestaurant from the famouschef, celebrating ten yearswith those stars. Dishesfrom across Europe retaina classic feel with bold,confident twists. It’s allsuperb, but get organisedas you need to book twomonths in advance. £££.68 Royal Hospital Road,SW3. % 020 7352 4441.: gordonramsay.comË Sloane Square.Off map.oxo TowErrEsTauraNT, bar& brassErIEElegant, iconic riversiderestaurant in a landmarkbuilding with stunning viewsand a lovely terrace. TheBrasserie is mid-price; theRestaurant, top-end. Goodfood in a highly romanticsetting – book in advance.Great martinis and livejazz every night in the bar.££-£££.Oxo Tower Wharf, BargeHouse Street, SE1.% 020 7803 3888.: harveynichols.comË Waterloo. Map C7.paramouNTSituated at the top of theCentre Point building, thisfabulous restaurant offersawesome vistas. The foodcompetes successfully withthe views for your attention:modern classics with atwist like wild sea basswith samphire and caviarcream. £££.Centre Point, 101-103 NewOxford Street, WC1. % 0207420 2900. : paramount.uk.net Ë Tottenham CourtRoad. Map B5.rs HIspaNIoLaEnjoy Mediterraneancuisine and fantastic viewsaboard this restaurantship permanently mooredopposite the London Eye.There’s an à la carte menu,or fill up on traditionalSpanish tapas plates. Lunchset menu is £25. ££.Victoria Embankment,WC2. % 020 7839 3011.: hispaniola.co.ukË Embankment. Map C6.sarasTroAn unusual evening ofentertainment in the heart ofTheatreland. Gaze in wonderat the incredible décor andenjoy Mediterranean cuisinefrom its unique wall-mountedopera boxes, with liveperformances Sun lunch plusSun and Mon evenings. ££.126 Drury Lane, WC2.% 020 7836 0101.: sarastro-restaurant.com Ë Covent Garden.Map B6.TExTurEMaster sommelier XavierRousset and chef AgnarSverrisson co-own thismarvellous Michelin-starredplace in Mayfair, whichfeatures wild Atlanticflavours in every bite of food.The champagne bar offers88 varieties by the bottle.Closed Sun-Mon. £££.34 Portman Street, W1.% 020 7224 0028.: texture-restaurant.co.uk Ë Marble Arch.Map B4.south africansHaka ZuLuExperience somethingcompletely different at thisabsolutely huge and opulentrestaurant, lounge and club.Dubbed the ‘Theatre of Food’,its South African specialitiesinclude ostrich carpacciocooked on the braai (openbarbecue) and marinatedspringbok. ££.Stables Market, NW1.% 020 3376 9911.: shaka-zulu.comË Chalk Farm. Off map.Thai & malayawaNaOne of the few Malaysianrestaurants in London, thisis a must-try. In elegantenvirons, the perfect startersfeature scallops and prawns,or try delicately spicedsambals and rich curries formains and order satays fromthe Satay Bar. £££.85 Sloane Avenue, SW3.% 020 7584 8880.: awana.co.uk Ë SloaneSquare. Map E3.baLI baLIA wonderful central Londonspot offering Balinesecuisine. There’s traditionalsatay on the menu, but beadventurous – Indonesiancooking is a veritablemelting pot of cultures. Trythe rijstafel set menu forthe perfect introduction tothe range of tastes on offer.Closed Sun lunch. £.150 Shaftesbury Avenue,WC2. % 020 7836 2644.: balibalirestaurant.comË Covent Garden.Map B6.bLuE ELEpHaNTHoused in an exquisitelydecorated indoor gardenDINING & NIGHTLIFEJune 2011 | LONDON PLANNER | visitlondon.com |115