The Green Room

It's Wednesday night. You don't feel like cooking but don't want takeaway - too fatty, too many carbs, too much MSG. No, you want proper food, and maybe a glass of decent wine. Where to go? If you're in West Hampstead, The Green Room's a good option. A blackboard outside advertised a free glass of fizz to diners: we happily accepted and were pleased to be handed generously sized glasses rather than a few mouthfuls. The wine list is interesting and inexpensive, and the modern European menu based on appealingly familiar dishes such as pasta, fish cakes and stews like beef bourguignon. Daily specials are chalked on a blackboard. Risotto of the day was blue cheese, pear and rosemary - the result surprisingly light, toothsome and well-balanced. A perfectly pink and juicy rack of lamb came with a nutmeggy sweet potato mash and crisp green beans. The fresh-tasting tiramisu would have benefitted from more of an alcoholic hit, but the thin-crusted chocolate fondant with correctly molten centre was first-rate. A pretty chandelier hangs above the small, silvery-papered dining room, which is overseen by co-owner Kelly, who enthusiastically chats to customers as though they were neighbours. However, at this kind of useful local restaurant, which is also making Sunday roasts a feature, many of them will be just that.

http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/12490.html