Dine Online’s recommendations for EASTER 2008

By Clifford Mould

London:

Black & Blue –(www.blackandbluerestaurants.com)
Open: Every day 12 noon – 11pm
Belsize Park – 205-207 Haverstock Hill, London NW3. T: 020 7443 7744
Borough Market – 1-2 Rochester Walk, London SE1. T: 020 7357 9922
Gloucester Road – 105 Gloucester Road, London SW7. T: 020 7244 7666
Kensington – 215-217 Kensington Church Street, London W8. T: 020 7727 0004
Wigmore Street – 90-92 Wigmore Street, London W1. T: 020 7486 1912
Reflecting an American steakhouse experience using quality British produce, Black & Blue is passionate about steak serving a variety of cuts including sirloin, T-bone, fillet, rib-eye and côte de boeuf. The burgers, made in-house, are another signature dish and ribs have just been added to the menu in NW3, SW7 and W8.

Eco (www.ecorestaurants.com)
Open: Every day
162 Clapham High Street, London SW4 7UG – t: 020 7978 1108
144 Chiswick High Road, London W4 1PU – t: 8747 4822 – NEW
Serving a diverse Italian menu including their signature freshly baked 12” pizzas with a variety of toppings including traditional and innovative choices, as well as salads, pizza bread sandwiches and dishes cooked al forno. Dine Online confirms that Eco makes our favourite pizzas in town!

Esca – great for hampers and gifts (www.escauk.com) t: 020 7622 2288
Open: Every day
160a Clapham High Street, London SW4
South Sloanes know that Esca is a gourmet’s paradise in Clapham. Housing a deli, patisserie and café its shelves are packed with a wide assortment of mainly Continental treats and it is possible to create completely bespoke hampers or gift boxes. Prices start from £4.95 and selections are completely individual, although staff are on-hand make recommendations, or even to pack baskets, according to budget or style. There is a selection of decadent chocolate eggs of all shapes and sizes.

Indian Zest (www.indianzest.co.uk) t: 01932 765000
21 Thames Street, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex TW16 5QF
Open: Every day
Indian Zest is the new restaurant from acclaimed chef Manoj Vasikar, owner of the popular Indian Zing in Hammersmith. The menu blends regional recipes and traditional ingredients with modern techniques and presentation. All dishes have an emphasis on lightness but still with all the spicing and flavour expected from an Indian meal, and organic ingredients are used where possible.

Morgan M (www.morganm.com) t: 020 7609 3560
489 Liverpool Road, London N7 8NS
Open: Good Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday dinner, Easter Sunday lunch
The restaurant, which is known for its refined French cuisine, serves both an à la carte menu, as well as six course tasting menus, one of which is entirely vegetarian. A special menu is being served for Sunday lunch featuring new season lamb.

Noura (www.noura.co.uk)
Open: Every day from 12 noon – 11pm
Noura Belgravia – 16 Hobart Place, London SW1. T: 020 7235 9444
Noura Central – 122 Jermyn Street, London SW1. T: 020 7839 2020
Noura Mayfair – 16 Curzon Street, London W1. T: 020 7495 1050
The three Noura restaurants each have their own identity in terms of décor but all offer smart, stylish interiors with comfortable seating. They are open throughout the Easter weekend serving their popular Lebanese menu.
Noura also has a café and delicatessen in Knightsbridge which serves a range of Lebanese and French delicacies, including chocolates – perfect for Easter
(Noura Knightsbridge – 12 William Street, London SW1. T: 020 7235 5900)

Number Twelve (www.numbertwelverestaurant.co.uk) t: 020 7693 5425
Open: For dinner only on Fri, Sat and Mon and brunch on Easter Sunday
12 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1
One of Dine Online’s current favourites, Number Twelve is a new, modern European restaurant and bar serving a seasonally changing menu using British produce where possible. The restaurant has recently launched a Sunday brunch combining breakfast favourites with more substantial dishes including a Sunday roast – this will be available on Easter Sunday.

Marlow:

The Hand & Flowers (www.thehandandflowers.co.uk) t: 01628 482277
Open Good Friday and Saturday for lunch and dinner, Easter Sunday for lunch
The Michelin starred pub is owned by chef patron Tom Kerridge who serves an à la carte menuof unpretentious British and French dishes, which changes regularly to take advantage of the best available seasonal produce. We like this one!

The Royal Oak Paley Street – www.royaloakpaleystreet.com
Paley Street, Littlefield Green, Berkshire SL6. T: 01628 620541
Open daily
Awarded a Bib Gourmand in the 2008 Michelin Red Guide, head chef Dominic Chapman (previously head chef at The Hind’s Head) serves a seasonally changing British menu. The Royal Oak is a traditional English pub and dining room owned by Michael Parkinson and his son Nick.