Best Vegetarian
Winner
Noura Central
The Noura chain now has four Lebanese restaurants in London. This latest one, just off Piccadilly Circus, is not exclusively meat-free, but it’s great for vegetarians thanks to its sumptuous range of hot and cold mezze. Our chilled okra came with a thick tomato sauce fragrant with fresh coriander; fava beans had a mellow, garlicky flavour; and the mana’eesh, flatbread topped with thyme and sesame seed, was excellent. The dense, creamy ice-creams in flavours such as milk and orange blossom, rosewater and lemon are gorgeous.
Noura Central, 22 Lower Regent St, SW1Y 4UJ (020 7839 2020/ www.noura.co.uk) Piccadilly Circus tube. Open Mon-Thur and Sun 12 noon-12midnight, Fri-Sat 12noon-1am.
Runners-up
Kathiyawadi
If this no-frills restaurant were in central London, it would be full every night. Yes, it lacks design flair, but who cares when Gujarati cuisine is available at such low tom prices? Expect delicious curries, rustic breads, tasty fresh pickles and own-made dairy dishes – plus an influx of Indian families at weekends.
Kathiyawadi, 434 Rayners Lane, Middx HA5 5DX (020 8868 2723/ www.kathiyawadi.co.uk) Rayners Lane tube. Open Tue-Fri 5-11pm, Sat, Sun 12noon-11pm.
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Little Earth Café
Tranquil enough to provide an alternative to yoga class rather than just somewhere to eat afterwards, this vegan, organic and, mostly, raw-food café is a sanctuary of mood music and water features. Meditate on delights such as warm quinoa topped with butternut squash, courgette and a creamy cashew sauce.
Little Earth Café, 6 Erskine Road, NW3 3AJ (020 7449 0700) Chalk Farm tube or C11, 31 bus. Open Mon-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm.
Mangosteen
Mangosteen is a simple spot but the short pan-oriental menu is executed with precision. Vegetarian dishes such as vegetable peanut curry, and tomato tofu steak salad with marinated lemongrass, are interesting but need more variation of ingredients to make a fully satisfying menu. Still, the lemon and ginger tart is a knockout.
Mangosteen, 246 Gipsy Rd, SE27 9RB (020 8670 0333) Gipsy Hill rail or 3 bus. Open Mon-Sat 11am-3pm, 6-8pm.
Salt Yard
No ordinary tapas joint, Salt Yard blends Spanish and Italian cuisines to give an enhanced (though not huge) vegetarian snack selection. Crisp battered courgette flowers stuffed with monte enebro cheese and drizzled with honey, beetroot and caraway bruschetta, and brûléed rice pudding with rhubarb ice-cream are typical of the inventive approach.
Salt Yard, 54 Goodge St, W1T 4NA (020 7637 0657/www.saltyard.co.uk) Goodge St tube. Open Mon-Fri 12noon-11pm, Sat 5-11pm. Tapas served Mon-Fri 12noon-3pm, 6-11pm, Sat 5-11pm.
Best Local Restaurant
Winner
Chez Kristof
Oysters to escargots, rabbit to risotto – the regional French cooking at Chez Kristof is varied, and very good. Omnivores and vegetarians will be satisfied by this restaurant run by Jan Woroniecki of the acclaimed Baltic and Wódka. Outstanding dishes include haricot beans with clams, halibut with antiboise sauce, and a vegetable stew comprising red peppers, tomatoes, girolles, artichokes, asparagus and butter beans. There’s an excellent, mainly French wine list plus first-rate cocktails. Our only criticism is reserved for the service, which we’ve found indifferent and perfunctory. Chez Kristof, 111 Hammersmith Grove, W6 0NQ (020 8741 1177) Goldhawk Rd or Hammersmith tube. Restaurant open Mon-Fri 12.30-3pm, 6-11.15pm; Sat 12noon-11.15pm; Sun 12noon-10.30pm. Deli open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 8.30am-6pm, Sun 8.30am-7pm.
Runners-up
Bistrotheque
Set in a former warehouse on a dingy street, Bistrotheque rises above its location. On the ground floor is a small bar with excellent cocktails, while above is a spacious casual restaurant. The Modern European menu incorporates quick snacks while fish options dominate the mains. Bistrotheque, 23-27 Wadeson St, E2 9DR (020 8983 7900/ www.bistrotheque.com) Bethnal Green tube or Cambridge Heath rail or 55 bus. Restaurant open Mon-Sat 6.30-10.30pm; Sun 11am-5pm, 6.30-10.30pm. Bar open Mon-Sat 5.30pm-12midnight, Sun 5.30-10.30pm.
The Farm
Smarter than the average gastropub, the Farm is owned by Tom Etridge, who also runs the Ebury in Pimlico. A wooden bar divides the drinking area from the dining room. Chef Paul Merrett’s seasonal dinner menu is well-executed and fairly priced.
The Farm, 18 Farm Lane, SW6 1PP (020 7381 3331/ www.thefarmfulham.co.uk) Fulham Broadway tube or 11, 14, 211 bus. Restaurant open Mon-Sat 12noon-3pm, 6-10.30pm; Sun 12noon-3.30pm, 6.30-10pm. Bar open Mon-Sat 12noon-10.30pm, Sun 12noon-10pm.
Morel
Muted yet modish – Morel’s decor is perfect for a local restaurant. Yes, morels feature, in dishes like roast creamed fresh morel risotto with parmesan and olive oil. We’d like more focus on flavour and fewer gourmet affectations, though.
Morel, 14 Clapham Park Rd, SW4 7NN (020 7627 2468/www.morelrestaurant.co.uk) Clapham Common tube. Open Tue-Sat 6-10.30pm, Sun 12noon-4.30pm.
Wizzy
London’s first ‘modern Korean’ restaurant is attracting plenty of Westerners, so chef Hwi Shim’s cross-cultural message must be getting through. There’s great attention to dish presentation, with food artfully arranged on striking tableware. Service will hopefully improve with practice.
Wizzy, 616 Fulham Rd, SW6 5PR (020 7736 9171) Parsons Green tube. Open daily 12noon-3pm, 7-11pm.
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