The Gate

This long-established destination is an oasis of calm in noisy Hammersmith. Leased from a church, the Gate has a prime location in an expansive artist's loft overlooking a picturesque courtyard. It's a smart set-up, with the bright, sunny interior making for a relaxed atmosphere, helped by friendly, well-versed staff.

Food lovers of all backgrounds come here for seasonal creative dishes inspired by Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Asian flavours. A lightly fried Indo-Iraqi potato cake made a tasty first course: crushed potatoes spiced with popped mustard seeds and filled with lightly curried peas and carrots - a more-ish contrast to fresh-tasting apple and coriander chutney. Equally impressive, fried courgette flowers filled with sweet potatoes and tart goat's cheese made a marvellous marriage with lemon-dressed lentils.

Our mains weren't quite as memorable; a sizeable crumbed and fried aubergine slice was too greasy to do justice to its crunchy okra garnish and accompaniment of guacamole and chipotle chilli salsa. Thankfully, rotola, a herby ricotta and sliced potato roll, wrapped around crisp-cooked courgettes, asparagus and roasted red pepper, brought things back on track. Even carnivores won't miss the meat at this doyenne of vegetarian restaurants.