XO

The Belsize Park outpost of Will Ricker's stable of über-trendy bar-restaurant hangouts is a glossy exercise in stripped out monochrome and lime-green chic pitched firmly at the smart set of this well-heeled enclave near Swiss Cottage. Settle into low-slung booth seating, thoughtfully lined with mirrors to check out who's who while grazing through a menu of pan-Asian cuisine cooked with skill and no lack of flair. The food is tailor-made for sociable dining, fuelled by a fun session of pre-dinner cocktails at the bar. Chicken and water chestnut dumplings are full of punchy flavours, and most certainly not a case of style over substance, while blackened salmon is served with sweet yuzo miso sauce. Desserts revert to European staples such as ginger cheesecake or sticky toffee pudding. In case you're not au fait with ponzu, shaoxing and gyoza, the menu has a handy glossary of Asian ingredients.