Kazan EC3

Offshoot of a the mega-popular Pimlico Ottoman, an east-City spot that makes an particularly suitable venue for a recession-busting lunch.

In Pimlico, the restaurant-land that time forgot, the original branch of Kazan has been something of a 'sleeper' – it opened without much of a bang, but it has become the premier (only?) restaurant locally with anything resembling a following.

Now it has a City branch which very much replicates the attractions of the original – it’s quite a smart place, offering pretty good Ottoman food, in a smart and comfortable setting, at reasonable prices. That’s certainly the view we formed at lunch, anyway, when you can have a generous mezze for a tenner.

At around £40 for two all-in – including a glass of wine and a cup of coffee – this would therefore seem to make an ideal venue for a lightweight business lunch, or for catching up with a mate. (By night, however, we read elsewhere that the place’s attractions may be a little less compelling.)