• Added: 28th of January 2008
• Area: Shoreditch
• Category: Restaurants

London EC2A 3AQ
020 7729 4452

DavidMuir said
Just like NY
Most American Diners in London are an extremely poor replica of the real thing.

Essentially, the mistake comes from thinking that the authenticity comes from buying 50's furniture.

Instead, a great American diner has:

1) Great, brisk service

2) Comfort food by the plate load

3) Cheeseburgers where the grease runs down your chin

This diner has all three, and a great ecletic crowd.

An absolute diamond.

• Added: 2nd of January 2008
• Area: Covent Garden
• Category: Restaurants

London WC2N 4HG
020 7240 1883

DavidMuir said
OH MY GOD
This place is, outstanding.

The one thing in my mind that holds London back from being the worlds finest city is the very poor Mexican food. Any Texan will tell you that.

Well Houston, you now have a problem

Wahaca serves fantastic Mexican food and has really superb staff. My son wanted to go wandering about and he was treated really by the staff (thanks Frenchie).

If you have one new year resolution, make a visit to Wahaca.

• Added: 18th of November 2007
• Area: Southwark
• Category: Restaurants

London SE1 8LF
020 7928 3237

DavidMuir said
Little Gem on the South Bank
Before the Tate Modern and the redevelopment of the South Bank, eating out in this manor was always slim pickings.

Meson Don Felipe was a little oasis of good quality authentic Spanish tapas.

Thankfully it still does this in abundance.

• Added: 18th of November 2007
• Area: Shoreditch
• Category: Restaurants

London E1 6QL
020 7375 0475

DavidMuir said
One of the best places on brick lane
Every restaurant on Brick Lane claims to have been the restaurant of the year, and as a result many disappoint.

However ou can always depend upon The Shampan. Really good food and the chicken jalfrezi is to die for.

• Added: 12th of November 2007
• Area: Fitzrovia
• Category: Restaurants

London W1T 1RR
020 7580 6464

DavidMuir said
Horrible over pricing
Great food but horribly over priced for what it is.

Go to Kiku on Half Moon Street instead.

• Added: 12th of November 2007
• Area: Brompton
• Category: Restaurants

London W1J 7QY
020 7409 3131

DavidMuir said
Divine cooking. Diabolical location
Theo Randall and his team cook some of the best Italian food you will ever find.

Theo was the genius cook behind the River Cafe, although it was the hatchet faced owners who took all the credit (how can you be that rich and bloody misreable?).

Randall's cooking is simple and delicious. His lemon tart made from Sicilian lemons will never be forgotten.

This wonderful light, bright Mediterranean cooking is let down by the dark decor in what feels like a basement of an anonymous hotel. It really detracts from what is some of the best food you will ever find in London.

• Added: 8th of November 2007
• Area: Bankside
• Category: Restaurants

London SE1 2TU
020 7403 1342

DavidMuir said
Great British Food
I went to this place recently for a Friday business lunch. We had to be done quite quickly and the staff were brilliant.

The menu is really very simple with fantastic seasonal produce. I had a wonderful smoked haddock with mustard cream, saurkraut and sausage. It was just superb.

I didn't have any wine but the list was great.

If you are looking for a reference point think St John meets Galvin

• Added: 5th of November 2007
• Area: Blackwall
• Category: Restaurants

London E14 8RR
020 7719 0888

DavidMuir said
A little bit of Hong Kong
Dim Sum appears to be the new sushi in London. But rarely is it done well or as authentically as here.

Gaudy Hong Kong style interiors complement an innovative dim sum list. The specials are particularly good.

The staff are great with kids. Very child friendly

• Added: 5th of November 2007
• Area: Cubitt Town
• Category: Restaurants

London E14 3UU
020 7538 3008

DavidMuir said
A cracker of a curry house
I used to live on this street. Every restaurant which ever opened there failed. It was like there was some weird hex on the building.

Then the Memsaheb came along and put down deep roots. It has done this by delivering one of the best most authentic style of Indian cookery. Extremely aromatic and fresh.

Canary Wharf workers should head down there, good for a very private lunch. Great views over the river.

One of the very best curry houses in London

• Added: 5th of November 2007
• Area: Mayfair
• Category: Restaurants

London W1S 4NF
020 7499 3033

DavidMuir said
Great concept. Still needs work
Automat has done really well attracting the hedge fund, VC crowd of Mayfair for a non-expensive working lunch venue.

The concept of the down at home American dinner serving comfort food is a great one. There are some incredible dishes like the macaroni and cheese. However the burgers aren't great and they should be considering the concept they are trying to sell