Sardo Canale

The younger sibling of Fitzrovia’s Sardo (see review) has gone down a storm with north-west Londoners since it opened in 2004. Boasting a tiny courtyard outside, it’s a good-looking place with chic, modern dining areas & equally attractive, clued-up staff who sweep between the tables. Platters of meat or fish (cured tuna, swordfish carpaccio, anchovies & slices of sun-dried tuna) kick off a meal nicely, followed by a vibrantly flavoured crab linguine with parsley & chilli. Main courses include grilled veal escalope with Sardinian blue cheese sauce or the delicious whole sea bass baked in salt to reveal pearly white flesh beneath. Around half of the all-Italian wine list is Sardinian & there’s plenty of choice by price – try a robust Sardinian Vermentino with fish dishes.