Restaurant Reviews

52 Wilton Way, London E8 1BG

Once home to Pidgin, Sesta is a Neighbourhood-focused restaurant in Hackney from an ex-Pidgin duo - chef Drew Snaith and GM Hannah Kowalski. Here, the emphasis is on a seasonal menu but one that has a focus on comfort food that should attract both locals and people who loved Pidgin. Expect a strong natural wine list here too.

4-6 Old Compton St, London W1D 4TA

Created by restaurateur Alex Xu, also known for Kung-Fu Noodle, this restaurant makes a big deal of the open kitchen where chefs make noodles on-site. Specializing in dishes from Gansu province, they have a wide variety of pan-fried, and cold noodles, along with crispy dumplings. Xu emphasizes authenticity in Noodle Inn, having returned to China to capture traditional flavours and techniques for the opening.

14-16 Stoney Street, London SE1 9AD

Cafe Francois is a spin-off of Maison Francois in which they've brought an extremely fancy French cafe to Borough Yards. it's a combo brasserie, bakery and deli offering everything from sandwiches and pastries to take away to a dine-in menu that roams from escargots and gougeres to rotisserie steaks and chicken.

Wood Wharf, 10 Water St, London E14 5GX

Taking a big floating space just beside the Canary Wharf Hawksmoor, Maeceline is a grand French brasserie which also happens to be very good value. Dishes run from the very French (escargots) to the more standard (steak frites) with standout dishes like their uncut sheets of ravioli. That good spread on the menu means it's a great place to take the more fussy of eaters but still get a great meal out. Plus - there's unlimited bread.