LONDON

24 Eating25Automatstylish – with a clientele to match.L’Atelier de JoëlRobuchon13-15 West Street, WC2Leicester Square/Covent Garden+44 (0)20 7010 8600FrenchFrench food with razzmatazz instunning surroundings, fromFrench super-chef Joël Robuchon.Food for Thought31 Neal Street, WC2Covent Garden+44 (0)20 7836 0239VegetarianAn ever-rotating menu of internationallyinspired food (especiallycurries and pies). Gets crowded atlunch, when the local media typesqueue for something quick, cheapand healthy.The Ivy1-5 West Street, WC2Leicester Square/Covent Garden+44 (0)20 7836 4751www.the-ivy.co.ukBritishOne of the original celebrityeateries, specialising in nononsenseBritish nosh.BistrotequeJoe Allen13 Exeter Street, WC2Covent Garden/Temple+44 (0)20 7836 0651www.joeallenrestaurant.comAmericanAn old favourite with Londoners,American expats and celebrities –serving great food with greatservice.Orso27 Wellington Street, WC2Covent Garden+44 (0)20 7240 5269www.orsorestaurant.co.ukItalianPopular and straightforward Italianfood, in a classy yet relaxed environment.The tart of the day isusually a good bet.The PortraitRestaurant, NationalPortrait GallerySt Martin’s Place, off TrafalgarSquare, WC2Leicester Square/Charing Cross+44 (0)20 7312 2490Modern EuropeanSpectacular views over TrafalgarSquare are standard in this showstoppingrestaurant above theNational Portrait Gallery.Rules35 Maiden Lane, WC2Covent Garden/Leicester Square+44 (0)20 7836 5314Traditional BritishEstablished by Thomas Rule in1798, this is one of the oldestrestaurants in London, servingtraditional British grub, with anemphasis on game.Very eccentric,very English, very memorable!World Food Café1st Floor, 14 Neal’s Yard, WC2Covent Garden+44 (0)20 7379 0298GlobalVegetarians are especially wellcatered for in this ethicallyminded, slightly hippy food joint.Alcohol isn’t served, but you canbring your own.Mayfair & PiccadillyAutomat33 Dover Street, W1Green Park/Piccadilly Circus+44 (0)20 7499 3033www.automat-london.comAmerican50’s style New York diner with aLondon sensibility – and a veryfashionable crowd!Inn The ParkSt. James Park, SW1St. James Park+44 (0)20 7451 9999www.innthepark.comBritishA striking, wooden ‘Inn’ in aglorious location just off The Mall,between Buckingham Palace andHorse Guards Parade, with a fresh,simple, and very appealing menu.Maze10-13 Grosvenor Square, W1Bond Street+44 (0)20 7107 0000www.gordonramsay.com/mazeFrench Haute CuisineAnother Gordon Ramsay triumph,with an innovative approach toFrench cuisine. A grazing-stylemenu that offers a range oftasting plates, making a Ramsaymeal potentially that bit moreaffordable!Momo25 Heddon Street, W1Piccadilly Circus+44 (0)20 7434 4040www.momoresto.comAfricanA sometimes boisterous venuethat attracts a cosmopolitancrowd, with some truly eclecticdishes.NobuFirst Floor,The Metropolitan, 19Old Park Lane, W1Hyde Park Corner+44 (0)20 7447 4747www.noburestaurants.comJapaneseAs well known for its celebrityclientele as it is for its sushi.St. AlbanRex House, 4-12 Lower RegentStreet, SW1Piccadilly Circus+44 (0)20 7499 8558www.stalban.netModern EclecticLatest outpost from the peoplewho brought us the Wolseley, thisis the spot for a sophisticatedlunch.Hoxton GrilleThe Wolseley160 Piccadilly, W1Green Park/Piccadilly Circus+44 (0)20 7499 6996www.thewolseley.comBritishA grand eating experience in evengrander surroundings, whether it’sbreakfast á deux, afternoon teawith freshly baked scones andclotted cream, or a meaty, veryBritish supper.Best of the RestBistrotheque23-27 Wadeson Street, E2Bethnal Green+44 (0)20 8983 7900www.bistrotheque.comFrenchHoused in an industrial shed downan unsuspecting alley that’s a littlerough around the edges, this crazysexy-cooleaterie is a startlingtreat, with a cabaret bar forbouncier moments.Canteen2 Crispin Place, off BrushfieldStreet, Spitalfields Market, E1Liverpool Street+44 (0)845 686 1122www.canteen.co.ukBritishWinning ‘Best Restaurant’accolades left, right and all overthe place, with good reason.Simply, great British fare, inambient surroundings.Chutney Mary535 King’s Road, SW10Fulham Broadway+44 (0)20 7351 3113www.realindianfood.comIndian and PakistaniOnce London’s most fashionableIndian, the celeb count may havedwindled, but standards haven’t.Fish!Borough Market, SE1Borough/London Bridge+44 (0)20 7407 3803www.fishdiner.co.ukFishFish, fish and more fish, and onlythe best fish at that. Right slapbang in the middle of the bustlingand trendy Borough Market.GilgameshCamden Stables Market, ChalkFarm Road, NW1Camden Town, Chalk Farm+44 (0)20 7482 5757www.gilgameshbar.comOrientalCelebs are flocking here in theirdroves, as are fashionable typeshungry to try out this vast,eccentric and eclectic foodemporium that’s taken Camdenby storm.Hoxton Grille81 Great Eastern Street, EC2Old Street+44 (0)20 7739 9111www.grillerestaurants.comBrasserieStylish, in an understated way,with friendly staff, straightforwardfood, and a hip clientele.▼Sponsored byvisitlondon.com/gay