River Cafe

The River Café is an entity unto itself. It was infamously supposed to serve as the canteen for Richard Rogers' design firm when it opened in 1987. However, the rest is history as they say since his talented wife Ruth, a cook, and her friend, the late Rose Gray, started shaking the pans. It has developed a solid reputation over the past thirty years for delivering simple but exquisite Italian cuisine. Oh, and along the way, training people like Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Jamie Oliver.

It's the kind of restaurant where retiring publishers take their godchildren out to supper because it's cozy, lively, and casually pricey. There are typical quite a few "mwah mwah" lovers as well. (Gwynnie P. celebrated her 40th here.) Although the spacious dining space isn't very noteworthy, the food is nevertheless flawless. Folds of immaculate pappardelle were served with a subtly gamey, chianti-spiked ragu of pheasant and rabbit. Curls of bitter chicory were brightened by a gutsy anchovy sauce. The polenta was outstanding as well.

Address: Thames Wharf, Rainville Rd, London W6 9HA, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7386 4200
Rating: 4.4/5.0, 1305 Google reviews
Website: http://www.rivercafe.co.uk/