5-12 Langton St.
Chelsea SW10
Tel 7351 0761
Classic traditional Italian serving an upmarket Chelsea crowd. No frills, wonderful food and charming staff.

At the suggestion of a London based cousin of our travel and business companion, we first arrived at Alvaro Maccioni's La Famiglia in the early 1990’s. We also arrived straight off the plane. So, we were looking to sooth our jet lag with a bottle of wine, some nice Italian fare and a stroll up Kings Road. I remember distinctly that it was a very pleasant spring Sunday, as such a table for four in the Garden soaking up the Sole Belli and soaking in the Vino was in order.
It all becomes a bit timeless then. The jet lag has its own way of altering time and space, but then add Carciofini Fritti, Capelli d’angelo all’olio tartufata or perhaps Nodino di vitello ai porcini with a nice cool Pinot Grigio and quite simply the earth stops revolving. Pure Tuscan suspended animation. This became our London arrival tradition.
That was nearly twenty years ago. We are lucky enough to be in London a few times a year and have always tried to land at “La Famig”, as we call it. “7 Langton Street please.” will never steer you wrong. Oh...and don’t forget the Tiramisu!

Magnifico,
Lark & Charles R. de Cuir
New Orleans, Louisiana &
Norfolk, Virginia.

Click here for the La Famiglia's website

1 Wilbraham Place SW1
Tel 7901-999
Truly exceptional French tapas with stunning but intimate atmosphere. Not cheap but worth the price.
Click here to view the restaurant's website

67-69 Ebury Street SW1
Tel 7730-7734
The best Chinese food in London. Also the most expensive. Very unusual selection on fixed price menu. Decor is contemporary. Service is exceptional. Crowded so reservations a must.

Click here to view the restaurant website

61-63 Lower Sloane St SW1
Tel 7259-0235
Restaurant on Lower Sloane with an enthusiastic following. Extremely good Italian food at moderate prices. Very Chelsea crowd and must absolutely book.

A review from our very own Ann Christ:

Just south of Sloane Square toward the river is one of my favorite Italians. The waiters treat everyone as regulars and the food is always delish. If you are a lover of liver(the liver with sage is yum) or skate wing, this is your place. The skate is not always on the menu, but if it is, be sure to order. Perfectly sautéed and the texture and flavor are sublime. They also frequently do a taglierini with fresh lobster that will send you in orbit. From prawns and pasta to wild boar and partridge, the dishes are always tantalizing and imaginative.

30 Great Smith Street London
SW1P 3BU,
United Kingdom
020 7222 2555

As you probably know, it's in the old Westminster Library building located near Westminster Abby, which is a treat in and of itself.  I think The Cinnamon Club opened in 2001; I went there initially because the wine guy, Laurent Chaniac (still buying wine for CC!) came from the Stafford Hotel, where I stayed on a regular basis for about 20 years when I was working over here.

I've dined there about 6 times, give or take.  The food has been consistently excellent, although it's now getting pricey, even for "upscale Indian."  Last night's dinner tells the story: Mindi started with a Welsh lamb appetizer with Indian spices, following that with a grilled sea bream with a chard compote and vermicelli mound.  That may not sound Indian, but the chef has a mastery of Indian spices that make it all come together.  I started with rabbit tikka (this is not a typo!) with a chili dipping sauce. Delicious!  The coup de grace was my "red deer" venison dish.  The slices of venison were atop a cumin flavored béarnaise-type sauce and sat next to a meaty, crunchy samosa.  But the star dish was a side of sangri beans!  We first had these beans in Rajasthan and have NEVER seen them on a menu in London, NY, or DC!  They were fabulous - a not to be missed treat.

There you have it!...................William Gardner

Click here to view the restaurant's website

Partridges at Duke of York Square
Legendary green grocer. Has everything you could wish for from fresh cut meats to anchovy relish. The take out is scrumptious with dozens of selections of cheeses, pates, etc. Now added spit roaster for lamb, chicken and game. Nice wines. Wonderful open air market on Saturdays.

Nestled in between Islington and Smithfield market, Gregory and Patrick Wright’s, The Peasant is a beautifully restored former gin palace that offers great British food in the bar downstairs, and superb fine dining in the restaurant upstairs. A fully-working traditional fireplace and original pub furniture, set against deep red walls and a seventeenth century mosaic floor, coupled with impeccable service by friendly staff allow The Peasant to provide one of the warmest welcomes of any London pub.