Restaurants

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Square Pie
Seven years young this November, this company proves that it’s hip to be square – as long as it’s a pie. The branch in Bloomsbury's Brunswick Centre may have closed earlier this year, but look out for this shiny new outpost in Westfield, to be followed by another in Euston station. As well as the mainstay options (steak and Guinness, chicken and mushroom, cottage pie), more imaginative concoctions include a Kiwi classic of mince and cheddar, chicken curry and a special pie of the month.
Square Pie , Spitalfields Market, 105c Commercial St, E1 6BG (020 8533 7555/www.squarepie.com). 10.30am-4.30pm Mon-Sat, 10.30am-5.30pm Sun. Meal for two with drinks: around £15.
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George’s
George Nicola’s fish-and-chip shop was treated to a zhooshy makeover last year that has transformed it into an enviable local restaurant. At front is a pristine cooking and takeaway area, at back is a classy, romantically lit restaurant serving all you’d expect from a traditional fish-and-chip spot, plus a sizeable list of Cypriot meze and souvlaki. A dish of complimentary nibbles (olives, pickles, raw veg) comes while you peruse the menu. Portions are generous so if you want a starter we’d recommend sharing a dish of something like the creamy tahini dip.
George’s, 164 George Lane, E18 1AY (020 8989 3970/www.georgesfishbar.co.uk). South Woodford tube. Tue-Sat 12noon-2.30pm, 5-10.30pm. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £45.
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Mai Food
Kushiage (literally ‘skewer fried’) restaurants are everywhere in Japan, and we’re lucky to have this one tucked away in Earl’s Court. A tiny bar near the open kitchen offers frontline views of the action, where chef Saito whips up fairy-light skewers of food coated in panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) and deep-fried. The kushiage sets (£8-£12) are great value, with a variety of skewers to entice – juicy scallops paired with leeks, stuffed lotus roots, prawns wrapped in aromatic perilla leaves to name our favourites.
Mai Food, 7a Kenway Rd, SW5 0RP (020 7835 0100/www.maifood.kcnote.com). Earl’s Court tube. Mon-Sat 6pm-10.30pm. Meal for two with saké and service: around £40.

Ooze
The Italians know how to do comfort food proper. As its name suggests, creamy risottos are Ooze’s unique selling point (though there are other options, from pasta to panini) and there’s flexibility in the menu – be it for budget- or weight-conscious diners. Half of the risotto options are available in ‘small’ portions which aren’t too tiny and delicious combinations include trevise, red onion and gorgonzola dolcelatte.
Ooze, 62 Goodge St, W1T 4NE (020 7436 9444/www.ooze.biz). Goodge St tube. Mon-Sat 12noon-11pm. Meal for two with wine and service: around £45.