But The Wolseley’s new City location brings a sense of old-school glamour back to the chain bars and pubs of the area, with its opulent chandeliers, monochromatic colour palette and top-notch service welcoming you as soon as you step into the oversized dining room. It probably doesn’t help that, while demonstrating, I’m holding this particular wall hanging upside down, sewing my dowel into the bottom edge, which amuses everyone, including Miss Honour.

The intimate space is inspired by architect Thomas Jeckyll’s Peacock Room, with over 500 vases and just as many candles covering the white lacquered shelved walls. First, you unwrap the ashtray/hat thing, then you have to take a nicely lit, nicely composed photo of it. Personalised advertising may be considered a “sale” or “sharing” of information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have a right to opt out. This easy and healthy dinner packs so much flavor from the creamy bang bang sauce that's a bit spicy and a bit sweet. You’ll find an ever changing menu of seasonal produce that never scrimps on quality or flavour, and a selection of fine wines to match.

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Crispin works with independent growers and small-scale producers to bring seasonal, Modern European plates in a relaxed setting. Adding to the syrupy candle light are a mix of original and reproduction Benson chandeliers and lamps – there are more than 700 found throughout the hotel. Executive chef Ben Orpwood leads the kitchen team, turning out seasonal dishes centred around ‘the pantry’, meat, game, seafood and vegetables. T and the pale ochre walls – reminiscent of traditional adobe – cast a warm, peachy glow about the place, while African prints by British-Nigerian designer Eva Sonaike line the seats.Marble pillars and Venetian-inspired details evoke the feel of a grand European cafe at this iconic dining destination, while a menu of European classics, from steak to schnitzel, offers timeless appeal. Trinkets started to cover every available surface, and then sit on top of each other like sedimentary layers. Finally, cleanse the palette with a tipple from the impressively curated wine list (a juicy, cold, effervescent red for me) or, if you’re feeling brave, one of the bar’s glass-like Dirty Martinis. Later in the year, Endo Kazutoshi will open a rooftop sushi spot at The OWO and Akira Back will helm the restaurant at Mandarin Oriental Mayfair. Few gastropubs manage to capture the essence of a local boozer with the elegance of a sophisticated restaurant, but The Pelican’s only gone and done it.

Let’s face it, London is not short of buzzy gastro pubs with elevated menus promising to be the one-stop food and drink destination in town. The final string to Bambi's bow – sit back and enjoy some post-dinner tunes spun by resident DJs with vinyl plucked from the custom-made wall of records forming the back of the restaurant. I once worked all weekend on a drawing of Geri Halliwell (don’t ask), but when the mark came back I got a D. Fluffy creamy eggs, caramelized beef bacon, spicy chipotle aioli, and the best garlic and herb Hawaiian buns to seal the deal. Made for sharing between two to four people, we were too defeatist to make an attempt on this visit, but trust me when I say I'll be back to tuck in – elastic waistband at the ready.The iconic dessert trolley pushes it into legendary status, not to mention the slick, ever-jovial service. Add to that the stunning terrace views of the London skyline and Buckingham Palace, and you’d be forgiven for forgetting to even peruse the menu. The interiors are rather lovely too, with dark wood, marble tabletops and metal accents striking a chord against a jade green colour palette.

Maître d' Otto Tepasse is a gregarious host, and where else are you going to enjoy duck à la presse whilst wearing a viking helmet? The rooms were comfortable and clean, brilliant breakfast and evening meal menus, lovely relaxed atmosphere, would highly recommend a stay here. In January, Tom Sellers will reopen Restaurant Story after closing for a multi-million-pound renovation, while Claude Bosi will open Lyonnaise restaurant Josephine. Of course she talks about it, but, like many people, I still don’t really know exactly what my partner does all day. A huge congratulations to each and every restaurant which placed on the list of top restaurants in London – with such intense competition a place anywhere on the ranking is a massive achievement.The celeriac, nosotto, crab and coconut was an excellent take on a seafood risotto, its creaminess infused with flavours of the (sizeable) crab chunks. Angela Hartnett's Murano has been feeding an elegant crowd since 2008, when the now household-name chef opened the doors on Queen Street and started cooking Northern Italian dishes. From the rooftop bar, Flute, to the 57 rooms, it's a riot of sequins and glitter and leopard print – a glossy take on Soho's penchant for vintage and late nights. Mains of roast turbot and artichokes or perfectly plump Cornish lamb with anchovies are there for the taking, although serves are happy for you to skip a main and head straight to dessert if a four-course supper sounds a little too on the heavy side. The bavette steak is a perfectly pink delight with a soul-warming peppercorn sauce, although the plaice dish swimming in curry sauce is a little too off-piste for my palette.