Very good places to eat
17 places across the world that I return to again...and again.
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Gwyneth Paltrow recently released her annual list of favourite places to eat. I am not Gwyneth Paltrow, but I do eat out an awful lot.
What do I think about when booking a restaurant? Well the food, obviously. But also other things- ambience, style, how comfy the seats are and if the wait staff have a smile for you. I like a fancy bathroom too. And flattering lighting. I like places that have soft background music (nothing with lyrics please) and proper big glasses for your water. I like chairs that accommodate generous bottoms and a view is always nice. A long, inventive non-alcoholic drinks menu is a bonus. As is nice tablecloths. And because I eat out alone a lot- because lone dining is one of life’s great pleasures, I like a place that doesn’t treat the single diner like a leper.
In fact I reckon there are about 47 different things that make up the perfect place to eat, and only one of them is what you actually put in your mouth.
So anyway, I have compiled a list of the places I like to eat in. These are the cafes and restaurants that I return to as often as I can. Most of them have at least 70 per cent of the above criteria. They are my fail safes. The places I only tell my closest friends about. Oh..and you. Naturally.
Spring: This is just about the prettiest restaurant in all of London. Pink bathrooms. Staff floating about in aprons and wan smiles. The walls are the colour of spearmint and there are vases of flowers that look like art installations everywhere. Also the glassware is Murano and there are these things called ‘crispy potatoes with black garlic and sour cream’ that are illegally good. And because they’ve literally thought of everything there’s even a wonderful three-course ‘scratch’ menu made from all the left over bits and pieces in the kitchen (which is far nicer than I’m making it sound) for just £35.
Bistro Freddie: Sometimes all you want is a good steak - preferably a bavette, with an excellent peppercorn sauce and golden chips like you used to get at school. My new stalwart.