Bistro K

On the site where the short-lived Michelin-starred Ambassade de l'Ile used to be we now have Bistro K, a more casual interpretation of French dining but not quite jeans and a T-shirt either - a meal for two with wine and service will still set you back ?100. This landmark building in South Ken has been given yet another interior makeover with wooden floors contrasting with white seating and austere white walls. The food is largely typically French - dishes include confit duck ballotine with quince puree, spaghetti with sea bass in a garlic and tomato sauce as well as Scottish beef fillet with French fries and Bearnaise sauce. Desserts are a choice of tempting sweets like tarte tatin with Calvados creme fraiche, lemon tart, roast pear and chocolate fondant. French owner Jean-Michel Aulas, president of the Olympique Lyonnais football club, was in on the previous L'Ambassade venture and it seems the lessons from that year of trading are less formality, more fun.