LONDON

22 Eating23Asia de CubaEating=Useful InfoTo be on the safe side, book yourtable in advance where possible,and especially on Fridays andweekends.Tipping is standard inthe UK, with 10% - 15% beingthe norm (though a lot of= Great valuePerfect for breakfasts– = Price guideTo put it simply, London is the best place in the worldto eat. If you can think of it, London has it, and withnew restaurants (from family run cafés to Michelinstarredworld-beaters) opening up almost daily, it’shard to keep up. But this is our (tiny) selection!restaurants include ‘Service’as part of the final bill, socheck before you pay, otherwiseyou may tip twice!). And withthe nationwide smoking bantaking effect as of 1 July 2007,you won’t be able to smokeindoors, either.There’s no set time as towhen Londoners eat – thoughmost restaurants are at theirbusiest on weekdays from whenpeople leave work (around 6pm)up until 11pm. Weekends arebusy from midday onwards.Nocturnal munchers have thechoice of 24-hour eateries likeBalans in Soho or the Brick LaneBeigel Bakery in Shoreditch, orthe vast array of takeawaysacross the city – everythingfrom Turkish to Chinese togood old fish ‘n’ chips.SohoAmato14 Old Compton Street, W1Leicester SquareT: +44 (0)20 7734 5733www.amato.co.ukItalianUnpretentious, traditional Italiancafé with simple dishes, greatpatisserie, and friendly staff.Andrew Edmunds46 Lexington Street, W1Piccadilly Circus/Oxford CircusT:+44 (0)20 7437 5708Modern EuropeanIntimate dining, in a very rusticand homely setting. The perfect‘date’ restaurant.Balans60 Old Compton Street, W1Leicester SquareT: +44 (0)20 7437 5212www.balans.co.ukBrasserie24-hour ‘gay’ dining. When we say‘gay’, this place is like a make-shiftclub after the local bars have shut.Barrafina54 Frith Street, W1Leicester SquareT: +44 (0)20 7813 8010SpanishVery new, very stylish, and verypopular tapas bar.You can’t book,so be prepared to queue duringbusier periods.Bertorelli11/13 Frith Street, W1Leicester SquareT: +44 (0)20 7494 3491www.santeonline.co.ukModern ItalianContemporary Italian menu in chicsurroundings, with leather boothsfor more private moments.BiagioRistorante Biagio189 Piccadilly, W1Leicester Square+44 (0)20 7434 1921www.ristorantebiagio.co.ukItalianJust one of a clutch of theirrestaurants spread across theWest End, Biagio has become aby-word for authentic Italianfood served with a smile!Boheme Kitchenand Bar19 Old Compton Street, W1Tottenham Court Road/Leicester Square+44 (0)20 7734 5656www.bohemekitchen.co.ukModern BritishA Soho stalwart, popular withthe local media set. Looks sexy,the staff are friendly, and theoutdoor seating is perfect forpeople-watching down OldCompton Street.L’Escargot48 Greek Street, W1Piccadilly Circus/Oxford CircusT: +44 (0)20 7437 2679www.lescargotrestaurant.co.ukFrenchEstablished in 1927, this stylishSoho favourite has been awardeda Michelin star each year since1996. Charming and incrediblysophisticated!Imli167-169 Wardour Street, W1Piccadilly Circus/Oxford CircusT: +44 (0)20 7287 4243Modern IndianIndian tapas, in a casual butsophisticated environment, withsome innovative and bold dishes.Mildred’s45 Lexington Street, W1Piccadilly Circus/Oxford CircusT: +44 (0)20 7494 1634www.mildreds.co.ukVegetarianVery popular vegetarian joint innewly spruced-up surroundings.No bookings, so prepare to wait!Randall & Aubin16 Brewer Street, W1Piccadilly Circus+44 (0)20 7287 4447www.randallandaubin.co.uk/sohoFishCounter-top eating, with oodles ofcharacter. The lobster is renowned!Natasha Bedingfield‘I love walking aroundthe Thames and goingover Waterloo Bridge,up to Trafalgar Squareand wandering round,then over to CoventGarden. And so manyrestaurants, but I reallylove Hakkasan.’Stockpot18 Old Compton Street, W1Tottenham Court Road+44 (0)20 7287 1066British-EuropeanFood like you used to get atschool, with absolutely no frills.Great for comfort-eating!Noho(‘North of Soho’, the other sideof Oxford Street)Eagle Bar Diner3-5 Rathbone Place, W1Tottenham Court RoadT: +44 (0)20 7637 1418AmericanGood ‘ole American dining inNoho. Pancakes, burgers as big asyour head, great cocktails andfriendly staff. Their breakfasts arenotorious (in a good way!).Hakkasan8 Hanway Place, W1Tottenham Court RoadT: +44 (0)20 7907 1888Modern ChineseThe place for out-of-this-worldDim SumSukaSanderson Hotel, 50 BernersStreet, W1Oxford Circus+44 (0)20 7300 1444www.sandersonlondon.comMalaysian fusionModern Malaysian with a Britishedge in sleek, Philippe Starcksurroundings – the Garden Terraceis perfect for stickier nights.Covent GardenAsia de CubaSt. Martin’s Lane Hotel, 45 St.Martins Lane, WC2Leicester Square/Covent Garden+44 (0)20 7300 5588www.asiadecuba-restaurant.comInternationalLike the hotel it sits in, jaw-droppinglymodern, sexy and über-▼Sponsored byvisitlondon.com/gay