Restaurant Reviews

168 Highgate Road, Kentish Town, London NW5 1QS

It takes a lot to make yet another gastropub opening stand out from the crowd in London but the Bull and Last appears to have stuck to the tried and tested formula of serving simply fantastic food. They call themselves a Pub and Kitchen, but reviewers felt the food surpassed usual gastropub fare to be truly gourmet.

Courtfield Road, London SW7 4QH

A culinary landmark when it opened 25 years ago, the revamp of the Bombay Brasserie had won mixed reviews from critics and diners alike. Certainly the charm of the place remains undimmed, but the new OTT decor and gargantuan bills left a bad taste in the mouth. Better stick to the fantastic value of the restaurant's famed Sunday buffet.

7-9 Exhibition Road, London SW7 2HQ

The opening of the third outpost of the Brindisa chain comes at a time when the owners have had to close their eponymous food shop in Exmouth market and lay some staff off. Have they over-reached themselves? Maybe the question doesn't matter when there are plenty of people who love this style of tapas joint.

16 Balham Hill, London SW12 9EB

Sometimes if you want to find somewhere decent to eat and drink in your manor, you have to go out and open it yourself. That's the mantra behind Avalon - the owners are all locals with four other South London gastropubs under their belt. It looks like they've used all their learnings on Avalon which looks to be a huge hit in these here parts.