24 Rhodians

Rhodes 24 is located in the iconic Tower 42 - the tallest skyscraper in the City of London. You enter the high tech lobby, pass a strict security check and zoom to the 24th floor in a silent lift. You are met by a classic interior with a slightly hotel feel to it. I am talking long, heavy table cloths, lots of cutlery, big napkins.
The cuisine was hardcore french. Very Michelin style - three course for a set price, small, pretty portions that manage to make you full despite their size. A wine list as tick as my finger, was of course supplied, I was perplexed they did not have any Luxebourgish wines, despite their presence on the list. We made do with Riesling in the end which turned out to be the right choice for the meal.
The view........ is exactly what one expects to find on the 24th floor. The Gherkin looms on your right and you get different parts of the London skyline depending on where you sit. The tables are placed in a circular fashion mostly near the the floor to ceiling windows. Tables facing Canary Warf and Alexandra Palace are the safest bets if you want to show some tourists a good vista.

Babylon

Babylon is located in the ex penthouse apartment of the woman behind the designer brand Biba. It's on the seventh floor at 99 High Street Kensington. Babylon and the night club Roof Gardens are Sir Richard Branson's little babies. As in they're owned by Virgin.
It's an amazing place - true to its name Babylon is surrounded by picturesque rooftop gardens, that house pink flamingos and Chinese coloured ducks. You can dine in style, contemplating the views of the gardens and south London skyline.
You will get confused by the feeling that you're just in a friend's living room, yet having some haut Anglo french fusion. Courgette soup made an interesting starter. I was really glad I had room left for the dessert - lemon meringue tart with blueberries had made me extremely happy. In addition if you dine in Babylon should you then wish to continue the party a floor below at Roof Gardens club - you'll get free entrance, jump the cue and get an excursion of the gardens you were previously contemplating.

Zuma

Zuma is a high end Japanese restaurant in Knightsbridge. Prices bite but it's a special place worthy of the wallet wound. It is designed with an effort by a famous Japanese designer Noriyoshi Muramatsu. I don't know how famous.. I've personally never heard of him and I've never been to Japan either but speaking for Zuma - he did well.
I didn't have a chance to try out their sake bar as I'd already arrived there considerably inebriated. However I had enough concentration left to appreciate the Izakaya dining style - you sit on mats around a low table. This provides a more informal relaxed atmosphere.
The food despite, its small size was very nice. We took the tasting menu and had a variety of meat and fish prepared in different sticky sauces. It was a very welcome and warm break from the usual sushi selection which they also have by the way.
I am sure the Japanese would laugh to see their Izakaya, pub style dining methods turned into a high end enterprise but for those who haven't yet visited the real thing - Zuma will prove entertaining.

"Old river...... take me along.."

We were staying at the docklands and finding it slightly dreary and empty on a bank holiday. On an attempted exploration of the area we stumbled up on Booty's Riverside Bar. It's was hidden on Narrow Street, about five minutes away from the Canary Warf Four Seasons. Booty's boasts of being a wine bar, and a large selection indeed they had. I really appreciated the marine design and the open view on to the raging Thames. It felt like being in a cabin of an old pirate ship.
They serve traditional British pub grub and fresh fish from Billingsgate Market. Yorkshire ham salad was pink and bountiful. The prawn cocktail was fresh and crunchy while the grilled fish smiled a satisfied grin from its wholesome position on my plate.
A very intimate, cosy place, great for those misty winter evenings and private conversations. Lets admit it - Docklands is the edge of the world.

"This is such a nice place, too bad it's in Belgium"

Belgo is what one calls a chain. I visited the one in Covent Garden. They made an effort with design. There is a sort of overall bunker feeling as you enter the dimly lit reception and then proceed down the stairs into the spacious dining area.
Before the film "In Bruges" came out Belgium was famous for three things - Antwerp diamonds, flavoured beer and mussels. Diamonds aside Blego offers both of the other two commodities. We had mussels with chips and some cherry Kriek. What you see is what you get in Belgo. Makes a good alternative for a casual lunch or dinner.