Restaurant Reviews

66 Union St, London SE1 1TD

Oudh 1772 comes from top chef Aktar Islam, who's also behind the two-Michelin-starred Opheem, one of the UK's best Indian restaurants. Here in London Bridge, this restaurant focuses on Awadhi cuisine and particularly food from the Lucknow region. Thre are some excellent kebabs on the menu, including the must-have gilawat, huge biryanis and great curries. A visit to the top floor is also recommended, where the bar is turning out excellent cocktails using Indian spices and ingredients.

30 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1K 7PH

MA/NA comes from the same people behind Los Mochis and here they've gone for a dedicated high-end Japanese approach. So you'll find everything from excellent tuna tartare to sushi and sashimi selections and grilled dishes. The steak is a big draw, presented on a grill to your table. It's either wagyu beef or the more high-end Kobe beef, as this is one of the few London restaurants licensed to serve it. The bar here is also excellent and opens late too.

51 Wilton Way, London E8 1BG

Ornella comes from the same team who had a success with Lupa in Highbury, restaurateur Ed Templeton, chef Naz Hassan and actor Theo James. Here, they've opened a second Italian restaurant, this time in Hackney, where the food has been inspired by Milan. So you'll find plenty of classic Milanese dishes from risotto to huge Veal Milanese chops, not to mention some excellent cocktails.

12 Macclesfield Street, London W1D 5BP

Kawan comes from Nigel Ng, best known as his comedy alter ego, Uncle Roger (this is an official "Uncle Roger restaurant"). Set in Chinatown, the menu takes in multiple Asian influences, with one of the key dishes being fried rice, which Uncle Roger is most known for, and the Chinese Wellington, a take on Gordon Ramsay's signature dish. The wine and drinks list is well priced and overall this is much better than many other celebrity-backed ventures.