Urban Junkies | Eat | Best of 2007: Top Ten Restaurants

2007 is drawing to a close and our bulging waistlines are testaments to the quality of many new restaurants that have opened during the year. Here are our picks of the newcomers.

Angelus
Cosy and seductive bistro deluxe in the backwaters of Lancaster Gate where you'll be charmed by owner Thierry Tomasin and won over by the ambrosial foie gras creme brulee.
4 Bathurst Street, W2 - 020 7402 0083
Open Mon-Sun - Midday-11pm
Average spend - £40

Le Café Anglais
Buzzy and breezy, this Bayswater dining room is swiftly becoming the new Wolseley. Perfect for Sunday lunch and people-watching. Order the parmesan custard and anchovy toast and you'll leave content.
8 Porchester Gardens, W2 - 020 7221 1415
Open Mon-Sun 12-3.30pm & 6.30-11.30pm
Average spend - £45

Bincho Yakitori
Nibble on eel and pork belly skewers and sip the finest sake while you gaze out over spectacular views of London. Fast food as smart and sexy as it gets.
Second Floor, Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House St, SE1 - 020 7803 0858
Open Mon-Fri 12-3.30pm & 5.30-11pm / Sat 12-11.30pm / Sun 12-11pm
Average spend - £35

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon
Although launched at the end of last year, 2007 has belonged to this swanky, lacquered gem, now made even more appealing by the addition of an affordable set lunch menu.
13-15 West Street, WC2 - 020 7010 8600
Open Mon-Sun 12-3pm & 5.30pm-12am (Sun -10.30pm)
Average spend - £65 / Set lunch - two courses £27, three courses £35

Tom Ilic
New Battersea restaurant focusing on beautifully cooked pork but with so much more to offer. Ilic has a way with most ingredients he uses and the bread is freshly-baked and oven warm.
123 Queenstown Road, SW8 - 020 7622 0555
Lunch Wed-Thu 12-2.30pm, Sun 12-3.30pm; dinner Tue-Sat 6-10.30pm
Average spend - £30

L'Autre Pied
Gastro-cafe sibling to Pied de Terre presided over by Marcus Eaves who could well be the next big thing. His roast hare is one of the most talked about dishes in town.
5-7 Blandford Street, W1 - 020 7486 9696
Open Mon-Fri 12-3pm & 6-10.45pm / Sat 6-10.45pm
Average spend - £45

Hereford Road
Thoroughly British utalitarian diner specialising in rustic and traditional delights with a fresh twist - try grilled lambs tongues with green beans and mint and finish with Eton Mess.
3 Hereford Road, W2 - 020 7727 1144
Open Mon-Sun 12-10pm
Average spend - £35

Geales
Like the perfect beach hut, this posh chippy is the ideal place to shuck a few oysters and tuck into beer-battered fish and chips. Geales On Wheels take-aways coming soon.
2 Farmer Street, W8 - 020 7727 7528
Open Mon-Fri - Noon-3pm, 6-10pm / Sat Noon-10pm / Sun 6-10pm
Average spend - £35

Dinings
Small and ramshackley formed Japanese started by former Nobu chef Tomanari Chiba. Tapas-style dishes like beef tetaki with miso and jalapeno salsa are delectable as are the prices.
22 Harcourt Street, W1 - 020 7723 0666
Open Mon-Fri - Midday-2.30pm / Mon-Sat 6-10.30pm
Average spend - £35

Sake No Hana
This much-anticipated smart new modern Japanese from the talented Mr Yau does not disappoint. The freshest sashimi, crisp tempura, sake on tap and a ground floor sushi bar to come.
23 St James's St, SW1 - 020 7925 8988
Open Mon-Sun 12-3pm & 6pm-12am (Sun -11pm)
Average spend - £70

by SL