Biazo

Biazo is certainly one of the best-looking African restaurants in town, with its sharp African minimalist interior in hues of mahogany and cream. Diners are given a warm welcome from the attentive waiting staff, who are poised to guide you through their large menu of contemporary Nigerian food. Shame then that we were denied the opportunity to explore it. Despite phoning to check the restaurant was open, we weren't informed that Sundays is buffet only, and that the restaurant was closing at 5pm, not 10pm as advertised on the website. But at £13.95 for as much as you can eat, the buffet is a great way of sampling a variety of Nigerian food. Jollof and seafood rice dishes and pounded yam featured among the slim but tasty selection of stews and side dishes. The chicken and beef stews had a delicate palm-oil base and were lightly spiced. With the accompanying diced plantain, adalu (creamed beans with sweetcorn) and egusi with bitter leaf, they made for a satisfying, if slightly tepid meal. The no-alcohol policy and chilled ambience make this a great place for families. Given a little more attention to detail, Biazo could really hit the spot.