Casse-Croûte, London
Tucked halfway down Bermondsey Street, one of the best food streets in London, Casse-Croûte was the setting for my birthday meal. It’s a small, proper French bistro, with a menu that changes daily and is written up on a chalkboard.
Tamil Prince, London
I’ve been to The Tamil Prince a few times now, and it never misses. It was one of the first places we thought to take my partner’s family when they were visiting from China, which says a lot. It’s the kind of restaurant that feels special without being over the top, a desi gastropub with a really well put-together menu.
Barrafina, London
I have very good friends. The kind of friends who buy you a voucher for Barrafina and not a modest one either. Generous enough that my boyfriend and I could go all in and order exactly what we wanted, without that usual mental tally running in the background.
El Camino, Palma
We were in Palma to celebrate my best friend’s 40th and, knowing how much we all love Barrafina, she kindly booked El Camino (their sister restaurant) as a thank you for coming. A very generous move and very on brand for her.
El Inca Plebeyo, London
There is an unassuming restaurant that I almost certainly would have walked past had it not been recommended by a friend. Nestled halfway up Essex Road, it specialises in Ecuadorian food.
Piatto Romano, Rome
Where do you take someone who has never been to Italy before but has always dreamed of it? Someone who imports cases of Italian red wine to share with friends, yet has never tasted it in its homeland?
You take them to Rome.
Taberna Sal Grosso, Lisbon
I will die on the hill that is Portuguese food.
A very foodie friend of mine — someone whose culinary opinions I usually treat with respect — told me recently that she didn’t think Portuguese food was worth travelling for. Normally I would defer to her judgement. But on this occasion she is, quite simply, wrong.