Tamesa@oxo Bar and Brasserie

I chose this restaurant at the last minute, from a selection of riverside options as a colleague of mine was leaving us to go back to Australia and I wanted to give her one last beautiful view of the city to remember us by. The original plan was to go to Bincho Yakitori, a few floors up in the same building, but that fell through as they were having their staff Christmas party (In January? Go figure).

Anyway, I booked this late on a Sunday evening for the Monday, and prayed that the view would be enough to compensate for the mediocre reviews I'dread almost everywhere- toptable, view London, Time Out. I figured our colleage would appreciate the thought, even if the food was less than outstanding.

Well, I needn't have worried. From the time I spoke to the Maitre'd, Stephan, who kindly sent me sample menus by email and assured me that we would have a table with great views, to the end of the fantastic meal, our experience at Tamesa was second to none.

Apart from being a little empty (hardly surprising on a cold Monday night in mid-January), I couldn't fault this place at all. Their service was perfect- attentive yet not overbearing, and wine suggestions were made gently, to enhance the food. We sank a few bottles of one of the nicest Riojas I have ever had, and couldn't believe the quality of the food, given the reviews we had read.

Many of us sampled the set menu, priced extremely reasonably at £15.50 for 2 courses or £17.50 for three. I had a wonderful tuna carpaccio salad followed by beef fillet with spinach and was left feeling totally satisfied. Around the table, the steaks got many satisfied murmurs, as did the pumpkin and onion soups. I sampled some desserts from around the table and all were warm, rich and creamy- comfort food for the winter.

The views, frankly, were the icing on the cake. We could see all the way from the Tate Modern over to St Paul's and beyond. Even though you're only on the second floor, it's enough to be highly impressive.

I would recommend this place without a moment's hestitation. Maybe the reviewers were harsh. Maybe the restaurant bucked up its ideas. Whatever the case, it's definitely one to watch.