Restaurant Reviews

26 Foubert's Place, Soho, London W1F 7PP

Marjorie's is in a side street just off Carnaby Street, offering a welcome refuge from the tourist hordes. Part wine bar, part restaurant, it takes its cues from the independent wine bars in Paris. Expect to find a wine list which is completely French alongside small-medium plates that often take classic French dishes and give them a modern twist.

YY Building, 30 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HX

Barbarella is the Canary Wharf restaurant by the Big Mamma group, known for places like Gloria and Circolo Popolare. Like those restaurants, this is a flamboyant affair, not least on the first floor where the ceiling and tabletops are all mirrored, giving quite the impressive overall effect. The food is Italian but with a few luxe Big Mamma touches, with plenty of caviar and truffle on offer, but at a price which doesn't break the bank.

73 Highbury Park, London N5 1UA

Lupa is a team-up of two locals: Ed Templeton, who is one of the founders of Carousel, and actor Theo James. Bringing in an ex-Pidgin chef to lead things, the menu takes its inspiration from Italy and in particular, Roman cuisine. Snacks, small plates and great wine are the order of the day in this compact restaurant where you might run into the odd celeb or two among the Highbury locals.

Unit 7 Montacute Yards, Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6HU

This is the second Singburi, which saw the extremely highly rated Thai restaurant move from Leytonstone to a much bigger (and shinier) setting in Shoreditch. Still very much a family business, son Sirichai Kularbwong is now in charge, cooking up an authentic Thai menu that's one of the very best in London.