Dabbous

Dabbous is easily one of the hottest contenders for international eating in London. Priding itself on its modern European menu, it delivers quality in spades (or should that be teaspoons since the portions are on the small side?) with service to boot. Knowledgeable, courteous and able to sort out heated situations in a snap with cool and soothing tempers, the staff here only add to the quite but strong sense of class and authority among its competitors.

Inside, it's another stripped-back affair which may seem familiar to some and appealing to others. Exposed elephant-leg pipes run across the ceiling while bare bulbs hang on wires scrunched into balls and tucked against curtain rails. Wooden beams intermingle with the overhead piping, while the marble floor adds a sense a delicate luxury before the bare-brick walls engage that slick bachelor pad vibe once again.

The menu reflects basic ideas fused with complex preparation and masterful presentation. Take the coddled egg, for example. Served in a deep plate on a bed of straw, this mix of egg and mushroom with salted butter comes in an eggshell with the top neatly shaved off. There's also the salmon which literally slides to pieces as you try and knife and fork your way into a slice of it. It'll take your current expectations of salmon to obscene new heights. Cleansing the palate is the iced lovage: a plant-y mix of parsley and sherbert served as a dollop of rich greenery is the best way to finish a meal.

There is a bit of a price to pay for the pleasure to eat at Dabbous, but that's not surprising given the area of London. It's definitely worth it, and we highly recommend Dabbous to really treat yourself, and others, to a fabulous London meal.

Opening times: Monday - Saturday 12:00 - 15:00 & 17:30 - 23:30