London (Fodor's 2012) - Fodor's [117]
Angelus.
£££ | FRENCH | Owner, sommelier, and former pro-rugby player Thierry Tomasin scores a converted try at this distinctive French brasserie in Lancaster Gate. Styled with Art Deco mirrors and button-back banquettes in a 200-year-old converted former pub, Angelus has a reputation for unrivaled Paris-style brasserie cuisine. The foie gras crème brûlée, egg cocotte, duck with polenta, quail with bacon or chocolate soufflé are as good as they get. Light bites, such as beef baguette or banana bread, are served at the bar and Tomasin is sure to select a classy bottle from the wine list focused mainly on France. | 4 Bathurst St., Bayswater | W2 2SD | 020/402–0083 | www.angelusrestaurant.co.uk | AE, MC, V | Lancaster Gate
Hereford Road.
£££ | MODERN BRITISH | Chef and co-owner Tom Pemberton mans the front-of-house grill at this must-visit Bayswater favorite, which specializes in pared-down British fare. With an accent on well-sourced regional and seasonal ingredients, many dishes are as unfussy as you’ll find. Work your way though razor clams and lovage, smoked eels with horseradish, and buttermilk pudding. | 3 Hereford Rd., Bayswater | W2 4AB | 020/7727–1144 | www.herefordroad.org | AE, MC, V | Bayswater, Queensway
Mandalay.
£ | ASIAN | Bargain hunters love this 28-seat Burmese café on windswept Edgware Road run by the friendly Ally brothers. All dishes are less than £8 and reservations are recommended. Don’t go for atmosphere, romance, or to impress a hot date, but instead, focus on the delicious papaya-and-cucumber salad, shrimp fritters, fish curry, bottle gourd soup, and chili king prawns. Completely stuffed, you’ll leave with change from £15. | 444 Edgware Rd., Bayswater | W2 1EG | 020/7258–3696 | www.mandalayway.com | Reservations essential | AE, MC, V | Edgware Rd.
Royal China.
£ | CHINESE | The black-and-gold 1970s Biba-style decor is half the fun at this flagship dim sum palace on Queensway. Expect fast-moving queues and mirrored ceilings at this longtime favorite that churns out stacks of dim sum at a furious pace. Start with dumplings stuffed with pork, squid, duck, prawns, scallops, or crab, and follow up with pork spareribs and Chinese greens, and pots of Chinese tea. | 13 Queensway, Bayswater | W2 4OJ | 020/7221–2535 | www.royalchinagroup.co.uk | Reservations not accepted | AE, MC, V | Queensway, Bayswater .
REGENT’S PARK
Lemonia.
££ | GREEK | Primrose Hill’s favorite Greek Cypriot restaurant, vine-decked and taverna-style Lemonia is large and light, and always packed with hungry North London customers. Besides an endless supply of small-dish mezédes dips and starters, there are rustic mains like baked lamb in lemon, and beef stewed in red wine. Expect Greek hospitality, hordes of locals, loads of noise, and the boho chic Primrose Hill set. Top-value weekday three-course lunch is £10.50. | 89 Regent’s Park Rd., Regent’s Park | NW1 8UY | 020/7586–7454 | MC, V | No lunch Sat. No dinner Sun. | Chalk Farm
ISLINGTON
Ottolenghi.
££ | CAFÉ | Fabulously colorful foodie window displays and a funky modern all-white interior characterize this flagship Mediterranean and North African deli–bakery–café in Islington’s main drag that serves fresh salads, savories, soups, pastries, and cakes. Sit at shared tables and tuck into butternut squash with sage fritters, Tunisian chili harissa chicken with pink grapefruit, or opt for arugula-and-herb salad with pomegranate and Greek feta cheese. Go home with a takeaway chocolate meringue, or roasted plum and quince with yoghurt cream and caramelized pistachios. | 287 Upper St., Islington | N1 2TZ | 020/7288–1454 | www.ottolenghi.co.uk | AE, MC, V | Angel
THE THAMES UPSTREAM
La Trompette.
£££ | FRENCH | Top-notch neighborhood dining doesn’t get much better than this.