Mint on Montague opened last month in Southwark. Southwark is filled to bursting with interesting historic buildings and Mint on Montague is no exception. Neatly sandwiched in between the gothic elegance of Southwark Cathedral and the arches of London Bridge, it's in a listed building, nestled in a secluded courtyard, set back from the bustle of Borough High Street. The brightly-lit cocktail bar serves up an exotic array of fresh fruit beverages. Lunch and dinner are available in the intimate restaurant and also al fresco. It's perfectly positioned for sightseeing: stop here after exploring Southwark (the Cathedral is breathtaking and Borough Market is foodie heaven on weekends), or after a visit to the London Dungeon.

Also worth looking out for in Southwark is Baltic, a smart Modern Polish restaurant exploiting one of the few under-explored cuisines in London. Traditional Perogi (filled dumplings) drenched in sour cream and Polish black pudding with pear puree and red cabbage are just a few of the delights on offer and can all be washed down with 34 different vodkas!

A new hotel has opened in Trafalgar Square, the heart of London. The Trafalgar is the Hilton's first 'lifestyle' hotel Ð a complete break from the Hilton's traditional formula. It boasts one of London's best views from the rooftop garden, which looks out over the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral and the London Eye. The hotel's restaurant, Jago, is minimalist in design, with an open-plan kitchen. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The cuisine, most of which is organic, is based on hearty comfort food such as pea soup with pork belly and herb crusted chicken on macaroni cheese. The Rockwell Bar specialises in bourbon, serving over 100 varieties. The bar also serves classic American food all day, from breakfast to afternoon tea and pre-theatre cocktails.

Another in-hotel restaurant worth checking out is Miju Restaurant & Bar, at the Millennium Knightsbridge Hotel in Chelsea. It's London's newest Japanese restaurant and boasts the culinary expertise of renowned Japanese chef, Tetsuya Wakuda. He combines a French technique with the Japanese philosophy of natural seasonal flavours. A five course lunch menu will be £25 per head and eight course dinner £50.

Three new West End restaurants have also made waves in recent months. Bertorelli Soho is a new restaurant by Group Chez Gerard, who are known for reliable, high-quality food. It's situated on one of Soho's busiest and buzziest streets, Frith Street, where Soho Soho used to be. This Italian venue offers a wide range of antipasti, pizza and pasta dishes, including smoked salmon ravioli with sour cream and chive sauce. A set menu is available Mon-Sun 15.00-19.00 and is great value at £10 for two courses, or £12.50 for three.

La Trouvaille is an excellent discovery, very handily situated for shopping on Oxford Street and Regent Street. This delightful little French bistro, just off Carnaby Street, serves unfussy, well-executed dishes, including sea bream dressed in capers, cumin and diced red peppers. The dinner menu has slightly more sophisticated yet typically French components including frogs' legs, snails and truffles. There are pavement tables too, with outdoor heaters for the colder months!

Finally, The Providores and Tapa Room on Marylebone High Street serves fusion food that draws its influences and inspiration from the Middle East and the Mediterranean into Asia and the Pacific. The Restaurant boasts a non-smoking environment whilst The Tapa Room allows it.