London, International Restaurant Guide

“Bright and airy”, traditional-ish gastroboozer (plus garden), off Clapham High Street, “reliably serving good food” (if not of a particularly ‘gourmet’ variety).

“The beautiful cocktails are the best” at this plush and cosy hideaway, at the end of a St James’s mews. Foodwise, there’s a Mediterranean-inspired brasserie menu, or hold out for the summer BBQs in the courtyard.

2019 Review: Like many of its patrons, this stalwart wine bar (upstairs) and restaurant (downstairs) has long been ‘part of the furniture’ in the ever-more-chichi heart of Belgravia. It’s perennially been accused of somewhat “uninspired” fare, but – now under new ownership – fans feel that “even if the inimitable Mr Lawless has finally sold up, it remains good value in a top postcode”.

Forty wines by the glass, and 150 by the bottle are the main ‘gourmet’ attraction at this modern wine bar, near Notting Hill Gate (which, over the years, has added siblings in Fulham and Brackenbury Village). To accompany the liquid refreshment, there’s substantial fare like steaks and seared fish, or you can stick to the “great bar platters”.

“The view’s the thing” at this 35th-floor all-day restaurant and lounge in The Shard, with 360-degree vistas over London and the Home Counties – “including from the loos!”. Some reporters also rate the “well-presented and thoughtful menu”, which they say contributes to “a fantastic experience”. Sceptics, though, reckon the “food is so-so, service patronising, the bill eye-watering: strictly for well-heeled tourists!”.