1 | For A Taste of Paris: Brasserie Zédel
Brasserie Zédel was opened in 2012 by London's finest, most formidable restaurateurs Chris Corbin and Jeremy King. Surreptitiously snuggled into the geometric maze of roads around Piccadilly, you mightn't even know it was there but, thankfully, it has become a staple of the modern London restaurant scene. And anyway, to miss out on the fabulous 1930's ballroom (once of the Regent Palace Hotel) in which you dine having descended from street level, would be criminal. This is a true taste of Paris – the romantic, smoky, alluring Paris of Hemingway books – and caters for all tastes, and all budgets. Along with the street-side cafe (from where you can watch passers-by), there is the opulent grand brasserie, a sultry smart cocktail bar and a cabaret club, and all of this is explained and celebrated by inimitable restaurant critic – and Esquire agony uncle – AA Gill in a new book, Brasserie Zédel: Traditions and Recipes from a Grand Brasserie. Not only can you immerse yourself in the rich Parisian culture of Zédel, but you can use the recipes to recreate the experience at home. We've got our eyes on the onion soup and their famous steak hache, and, thankfully, it all looks exceedingly doable for the amateur cook. Hell, we may even have a go at the tarte tatin while we're at it. On the other hand, we might just toddle down the stairs to Zédel and let them show us how it's done. If you're feeling lazy like us, you should too.
20 Sherwood Street, London, W1F 7ED; brasseriezédel.com"Brasserie Zédel" by A.A. Gill, photography by David Loftus (£15, Quadrille) is out now
2 | For Unsurpassed Chicken Wings: Randy's Wing Bar
Like plenty of the newest, most interesting restaurants in London, Randy's Wing Bar started as a street food stall. And it has finally set up shop in the old press centre of the Olympic park in Hackney Wick, with a restaurant that opens out onto a terrace overlooking the canal. Brainchild of two friends with an obsession for good wings (and connections to a Norfolk chicken farm), the aim of the game is to create the best wings in town, maybe the world, and they're not far off. The menu offers five styles of wing including Kansas (with barbecue sauce), Gangnam (Korean-fried and sticky), Bombay (baked, fragrant and subtly spicy), Hanoi (battered and tangy) and of course Buffalo (burnt orange, spicy and creamy thanks to the truffled blue cheese dressing). The Randy's boys were the first ever international team to be invited to compete in the National Buffalo Wing Festival in Buffalo, New York, so clearly they're doing something right.
Randy's Wing Bar, 8 East Bay Lane, Here East, London, E15 2GW; randyswingbar.co.uk
3 | For Coffee Addicts: Nespresso Café
Coffee addicts may like to know that Nespresso has opened its first café in the UK, on Cheapside. Assisted by specially trained staff, you serve yourself here from the magic Nespresso robot machines, which allow you choose from 11 Grand Cru coffees. And, if you like, you can learn a whole load about the one you pick – where it comes from, what food it goes with and so on. For those really looking to branch out from that black Americano, there is a range of coffee mocktails on offer too, utilizing the various flavours, blends and serves in the range. Catering team DO&CO provide paninis, salads, macaroons and pastries on the side, with everything designed to be taken away. Open from 6.30am.
100 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6DT
4 | For Good, Simple Steak: Hanger
Fulham now boasts a steak restaurant dedicated to solely onglet – or hanger – steaks. Far too often overlooked, this cut is known as the butcher's choice, which really ought to tell you everything you need to know. And the owners here wanted to create a straightforward dining experience where steak is affordable, without scrimping on quality. Hence Hanger. This steak comes from the lower belly of the cow, is amazingly tender, agonizingly flavoursome and tends to come in a nice thick, tubular chunk. At Hanger, it is charcoal grilled to achieve a slight crunch on the outside whilst remaining succulent and scrumptious within. It comes in two sizes: small and large. There's the option of a steak sandwich otherwise. Team with garlic and rosemary chips or a satisfying bowl of mac 'n' cheese. You could opt for the charred swordfish or the cauliflower steak but we can't be responsible for that sort of decision, and the starters are all light and fresh enough not to overpower the main event. Downstairs is a basement bar keen on hard liquor and simple serves, though there is a perfectly good wine list too.
461 North End Road, London, SW6 1NZ; hangersteak.co.uk
