Manteca
Manteca champions nose-to-tail Italian cooking with confidence. House-made charcuterie, fresh pasta and expertly grilled meats headline the menu, all served in a buzzy, industrial setting. Opt for its classics like the rich ragù pappardelle and perfectly grilled steak share the stage with seasonal plates and comforting sides – ideal for lingering over wine with a group. (Tip: portions are generous, so sharing is the way to go.
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Poule Au Pot
A Pimlico stalwart, Poule Au Pot is pure French charm. For decades, it’s been serving rich terrines, buttery sauces and hosting guests on candlelit tables that feel as though they’ve been taken straight from a tucked-away corner of Paris. The namesake poule au pot – chicken simmered gently with vegetables in a fragrant broth – is a must-order, as is the duck confit with crisped skin, deeply savoury beef bourguignon and indulgent tarte tatin served warm with cream.
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Behind
Michelin-starred Behind is an intimate chef’s table experience centred on seafood. Diners sit at the counter as the kitchen works through a precise, multi-course menu – refined, immersive and ideal for serious foodies. It’s tasting menu snakes above our budget slightly, but it’s lunch offering comes in at £88 and is well worth it.
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ALTA
Inventive and flavour-forward, the new addition at Kingly Court is open-kitchen cooking at its best. Alta’s menu is designed to share and has an ever-changing rotation of small to medium plates such as Cornish mussels and grilled bread; wood-fired courgette with pumpkin seed romesco; razor clams in white escabeche; plus, a choice of meats and fish such as 38-day aged beef sirloin or turbot head.
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Dining and Cooking