Expensive

Aubergine
Aubergine (French for eggplant) is luring savvy diners down to the lower reaches of Chelsea, where chef William Drabble took over from the renowned Gordon Ramsay. Every dish is satisfyingly flavorsome.
Address: 11 Park Walk, London, SW10 0AJ
Website: www.auberginerestaurant.co.uk
Tel: 020 7352 3449

The Mercer
The Mercer captures the mood of the times; it's expensive, but not overblown. High ceilings , polished mirrors and big windows give it a confident feel, yet the decoration is simple, restrained and ruggedly masculine.
Address: 34 Threadneedle Street, London, EC2R 8AY
Website: www.themercer.co.uk
Tel: 020 7628 0001

Rhodes W1
Its the restaurant Gary Rhodes always dreamed of. Every table has its own Swarovski crystal chandelier; a semi-private dining room with camply decorated antique French chairs is set behind a silky taupe curtain. Food is British food traditional ingredients suitably stunning.
Address: The Cumberland Hotel, Great Cumberland Place, London, W1H 7DL
Website: www.rhodesw1.com
Tel: 020 7616 5930


Moderate

Dehesa
A restaurant that marries Spanish and Italian cooking, and does so brilliantly, and its popular. Its central location, and a venue thats romantic, relaxed and sophisticated, make it easy to recommend.
Address: 25 Ganton Street, London, W1F 9BP
Tel: 020 7494 4170

Hakkasan
Tables are separated by geometric wooden screens, the lighting is low, and diners tend to be fashionable or on expense accounts. Stop at the bar for a cocktail or go straight for the food, which is exceptional 'creative Chinese'.
Address: 8 Hanway Place, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 1HD
Tel: 020 7907 1888

hush
This is a charming, trendy oasis for attractive locals -- and the food isn't bad, either. Located next to a number of outdoor restaurants in a cul-de-sac, "hush" is the hippest of the lot. And it offers some of London's best al fresco dining. The desserts are hard to resist, especially the champagne jelly with mixed berries or the lemon cheesecake with raspberries.
Address: 8 Lancashire Court, Brook Street, London, W1S 1EY
Website: www.strictlyhush.com
Tel: 020 7659 1511


Budget

Brown's
The decor of this popular restaurant is reminiscent of an Edwardian brasserie, with mirrors, dark-wood trim, and cream-colored walls. The staff is attentive, hysterically busy, and high spirited. The most amazing thing about the restaurant is its size. The site of the restaurant was originally conceived in 1787 as a magistrate's court.
Address: 8284 St Martins Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2N 4AA
Website: www.browns-restaurants.com/menu-coventgarden
Tel: 020 7497 5050

Le Metro
Located just around the corner from Harrods, Le Metro draws a fashionable crowd to its basement precincts. The place serves good, solid, reliable food prepared with flair. For a main, opt for such dishes as salmon fish cakes with horseradish mayonnaise or pork, leek, and herb sausages with red onion gravy.
Address: 28 Basil Street, Knightsbridge, London, SW3 1AT
Website: www.thelevinhotel.co.uk/dining
Tel: 020 7589 6286

Sarastro
Named after a character from Mozarts The Magic Flute, this flamboyant restaurant continues the operatic theme with individually styled boxes, velvet drapes, theatrical props and other colourful frippery. Established singers and up-and-coming stars from the nearby opera houses provide the entertainment, while the food is Mediterranean/Turkish.
Address: 126 Drury Lane, TheatreLand, London, WC2B 5QG
Website: www.sarastro-restaurant.com
Tel: 020 7836 0101