London & UK Restaurant & Bar Guide

Mickey Rourke, Jeff Goldblum and our very own Cheryl Cole (pictured) have all been spotted at the LA branch of Palm Restaurant in recent months, but will the new Knightsbridge outpost turn out to be such a celeb-fest? Its intention is to bring US hospitality and good old Stateside fare to the capital – so that’s jumbo Nova Scotia lobster and New York strip steak served up with a smile.

Third time's a charm. Or is it? Seems that Shao Wei’s third Szechuan eatery Ba Shan has inherited the two least attractive aspects of its siblings: Baozi Inn’s uncomfortable surrounds and Bar Shu’s steep prices. These mini plates of street food are ideal for a snack – try xi’an-style spicy potato slivers, prawn and water chestnut dumplings or lotus leaf buns with stewed pork – but a full-blown meal will hurt both your wallet and your behind.

The British summer is an elusive creature. No sooner do we don flip-flops than the dark clouds reappear. Still, if you're going to take your chances and dine outside, there are few better places to do it than the Mandarin Oriental's idyllic alfresco space, open May to September. Drink in views of Hyde Park alongside seasonal dishes, and depending which way the weather turns, there are designer sunnies and pashminas on loan.

Romantics may talk of springtime in Paris but, as the weather warms up, few places are as exciting as our very own capital. Winter-weary Londoners take to the streets at the first sign of sunshine and, before you know it, every restaurant, bar and cafe with a few square feet of pavement space moves their tables outside. The secret, of course, lies in knowing where to go to enjoy the best of outdoor London.

Calling all cheese-lovers: popular Spitalfields brasserie Le Bouchon Breton, will be running a series of informal masterclasses in cheese on the last Tuesday of every month, overseen by its resident cheese expert, or 'frommelier'. Ten cheeses will be selected according to the best of the season, served with freshly baked bread and paired with a top-notch wine from the 600-bin list.

It may not always be consistent, but then again, the British weather never is. Still, there's no doubt that summer has arrived, which means it's time to break open the Ruinart Blanc de Blancs. With its uniquely light and refreshing style, it's perfect for enjoying in the sunshine. So why not head to the alfresco terraces of Northbank, Oxo Tower Restaurant, Paternoster Chop House or Wiltshire's Whatley Manor, to sample it for yourself?