Portal

In contrast to the urban trendiness of Clerkenwell, Portal feels like a breath of fresh air. The main restaurant - with its floor-to-ceiling windows and big skylights looking on to a tiled courtyard - is the place where London cool meets Mediterranean terrace. Decor is all monochrome, exposed brick and industrial-looking air-conditioning pipes, punctuated by framed wine labels, tall vases of corks and other wine paraphernalia. Wine and port lovers will find plenty to tempt on the almost exclusively Portuguese list. Food is excellent. A starter of perfectly poached egg with al dente asparagus and creamy serra cheese was stunning both in appearance and flavour. To follow, braised bisaro, a cross between pig and boar, had tender, succulent flesh that was beautifully complemented by the chorizo açorda (a bread stew). We finished with textbook Portuguese custard tarts, with crisp flaky pastry and smooth filling, served with a smear of rich dark chocolate, a citrous brandy snap and cinnamon ice-cream - indicative of the presentation and detail in each of the dishes. Portal's location attracts a predominantly dressed-up work clientele. For a less formal experience, opt for the tapas menu in the bar.