Keston Restaurant Guide

“Very good in all respects… and it’s NOT in London!” – Andrew McLeish is entering his 25th year of owning this “stylish” well-known destination a short drive from Bromley: “a welcome spot in a culinary desert thanks to its high standards” and a favourite for many occasions (including a “romantic” celebration among a widespread fan club that includes a huge number of reporters living in BR postcodes). “A consistent friend that never disappoints”, “service is professional and friendly”, the cuisine is of “high quality”, the setting is “comfortable” and “there’s a good choice of wines by the glass from the Coravin system”. There’s an à la carte menu and brasserie section as well as a fancier ‘Gourmet Menu’ at £125 per person.

“The service just gets better every year” at Tony McDermott’s “ultra-reliable fish’n’chip restaurant in an unprepossessing suburb of Croydon”, where “high-quality fish, usually cod, haddock and plaice, supplemented by scampi and chicken dishes” have been enjoyed since 1987. Its “very personable ambience” and “great value” make it a “family favourite” that is “worthy of repeated visits”.

“Still hitting the mark”, according to one diehard long-term fan: this family-run Cantonese fixture on the high street once had a national reputation as a favourite of the late Gary Rhodes; and although it doesn’t inspire the huge volume of feedback it once did, is still said to be “consistently good” by all who opine on it.

A “great little local fish place” on the Royal Parade co-owned by chef Richard Kirkwood and Andy Roberts, who met when Richard was helming the kitchen of iconic London fish haunt J. Sheekey (he also ran the Wright Brothers’ fleet of restaurants). One part “premium fishmonger’s”, and one part seafood and champagne bar, the newish arrival offers “delicious” and simply cooked catch (plus seafood platters and small plates), whose quality means that it “deserves to be more widely known”.