Hawksmoor
Despite the Great British love of steak, there seem to be disappointingly few very good steak restaurants in London, and thats where Covent Gardens Hawskmoor comes in. Offering, quite honestly the best steak weve tried this side of the Atlantic, it raises the bar in terms of quality, with each of the cuts and weights chalked up on a huge board. Located in a gothic-style basement, interiors are dark and sultry and lend themselves to romantic trysts. Service here is top-notch and you can expect an impeccable wine list to accompany your meal. A slight word of warning, come with an appetite, portions are huge. And while it is on the pricey side, the food here really is to die for, so wed say for a treat, its well worth the splurge...
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Blakes
Stalwart Blakes has been drawing the celebrity crowds since the late 70s, and as many an A-lister has done before, youll arrive in the teeny, sultry basement and see exactly why. With the infamous Anouska Hempel cracking the whip on the design front, its all a bit east-meets-west, with heavy dark woods, plush velvets and complete unabashed sexiness. Although, if you crave an even more intimate setting you can go for the private dining in the Chinese room, where dishes come with similar sass in the form of seared ahi tuna with miso and mustard dressing and green tea noodles. With its decadent theme, caviar between courses and heady list of well-shaken cocktails, this place has style and substance in equal measure. Were sold.
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Les Deux Salons
Lauded as one of the best French restaurants in the city, Les Deux Salons is the third venture from Michelin-starred duo Anthony Demetre and Will Smith. Set over two floors, it feels like a bustling traditional brasserie you might find on the cobbled streets of Paris, with deep green leather banquettes, highly polished mosaic marble floors and opaline globe lights. The menu is predominately French (the steak and frites come highly recommended) with a bit of a British twist, notably in the form of the snails and bacon pie. Bitter chocolate mousses and rich crème brulees will certainly sate your sweet tooth, without an eye-wateringly expensive bill at the end. Chic decor, sleek service and high quality cuisine, its certainly somewhere to write home about.
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Joe's
West London institution Joes has shed the imposing monochromatic interiors it once had in the 80s and 90s, and revamped the breezy space in favour of some much more relaxed dining. Think warm leather, pale woods and some beautifully framed David Bailey photography. Thats not all thats changed however, the menu is a modern mix of European cuisine and serves up simple dishes with a lot of spark. Mastermind behind the gastronomic shake-up is Maria Elias, who also brings a fresh take on vegetarian cooking to the table, with dishes such as textures of peas that come as a soup, a mousse, pods and an orrechiette; each a rich emerald green and perfectly delicious. Dont knock it until youve tried it...
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Mele e Pere
Mele e Pere has just this week opened its doors to the public, in an impossibly central location on Sohos Brewer Street. Its laid-back, spacious downstairs dining room offers quirky, cool decor with Scandi-chic interiors and vintage angle-poise lamps at the walls. None of the tables feel crammed together and theres no people watching outside to distract you. The menu makes for a modern alternative to more traditional Italian dining, serving up sharing starters, a course of pasta and a selection of very well thought out mains. Combine that with an extensive Italian wine list, seriously attentive staff and we reckon this place is a sure fire winner.
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Like our pick of the best romantic restaurants in London? Why not check out our best new restaurants in 2012 or our pick of the best UK hotels with Michelin star restaurants. Alternatively, see all our restaurant reviews.
