Islington, American Restaurant Guide

“Tucked away in Camden Passage”, this Islington institution is “still going strong after all these years” and remains a real “go-to place for family celebrations” for many north Londoners; as well as “a great place for a romantic dinner”. “The ordinary fascia hides a true gem inside”, leading onto “a modern, spacious and stylish interior” where the top seats are in the “lovely, light and airy back area”. It’s not a foodie kind of place, but the cooking is “contemporary and varied (the set menu never disappoints)”, and “staff are par excellence, always professional, but fun and cheery”.

No news on when Iqbal Wahhab, founder of Westminster's classy Indian the Cinnamon Club and Borough Market's Roast, will open his Southern US venture in Angel serving chicken, ribs and barbecued meats; it's been in planning for well over a year. Named after Atticus Finch, the magnanimous father in Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, the restaurant will be rolled-out as a chain if the concept proves successful. Much like its namesake, this restaurant has noble goals and will employee disadvantaged people and help rehabilitate ex-offenders through employment.