So Sosho

Sosho is a great place to be social. It's got this chilled out no frills atmosphere and mellow music. Rules of conduct prohibit name "dropping and starf*cking" which is all very well but I'm afraid there aren't many stars around; as Sosho is tucked away somewhere deep off Old Street tube. It's a challenge to find if you don't have the exact directions but a five minute walk from the tube if you do. I really liked it! The staff was the friendliest in the world, the cocktails sophisticated and the food of a high standard. My Lebanese friend told me that you can judge a place by the humus it makes. I must say Sosho humus was way better than any I've tried in Mediterranean restaurants.
It's open conveniently from 12 in the afternoon till 1 am on weekdays; what more can one ask for from a relaxing lounge bar? On weekends it acts as a club and is open till 6am. Which is great but not, because they messed it up.... I can understand paying £15 quid to go to a West End club because they need all they help they can get to afford those rents but old street... come on! It's like wearing grandma's diamonds to a rave.

Hakkasan

I'd stumbled up on Hakkasan by sheer accident. I was roaming the backstreets off Tottenham court road in search of an open, early bar. It's located in a dead end street and aside from the the buff looking security is completely inconspicuous. I entered to find my self transferred into a kind of Sex and the City episode. You could hang out at the long, pretentious bar as you decide whether you want to be seated at the table or you'd just like to chill with your drink and pretend you're Samantha, Charlotte or Carrie or Miranda.
I was very impressed when this "slightly plump" gentleman ordered a massive duck. It was the biggest duck I've ever seen. The patient waiter stood next to the gentleman's table and kept on making him crackers with duck, spring onion and black caviar. Hakkasan's cuisine is what is known as "oriental fusion" but I cannot accept the mixture of Asian duck with caviar. It simply cannot do. However the Michelin guide has no such qualms - Hakkasan had gained a Michelin star rating in 2003. It is definitely worth visiting for a refreshing new atmosphere.

Stingray

The Stingray is a very laid back restaurant, 2 minutes from Tufnell park tube. There are two floors with glass shopfront windows, red walls and a very interesting selection of paintings.
The food is quasi Italian. You get good pastas and pizzas as well as a hearty surf and turf. I like to go for the steak there. It always has a nice slightly peppery flavour. The prosciutto pizza is good too as they are quite generous with the prosciutto.
Very decently priced with happy hour cocktails and special lunch offers, the Stingray is both a good place for lunch and a quiet evening meal. The kind of place locals would go to, to celebrate a small occasion. There is very friendly staff and if you are usually the type that goes to eat out hungry - you'll be pleased to know that the food is served rather promptly.