The Portrait Restaurant

"You can't expect a great view AND good service" quipped our waiter as he dropped some forks. In fact, service here was brisk and friendly, and the spectacular views more than made up for a slight delay from the kitchen. A short wait for our mains was excusable in any case given that the place was completely packed, and also in light of the attention paid to each dish. The food was excellent.

Head Chef Brendan Fyldes picked up a Michelin star at his last restaurant and he has created a daring European fusion menu for this sleekly modern restaurant perched 200 feet above Trafalgar Square. Black Pudding with scallops and apples looked the most eccentric of the starters, but the flavours matched each other delightfully. Cucumber Gazpacho was a treat. The highpoint of the entire meal was a simple piece of salmon, perfectly baked and accompanied with bright green beans in an aromatic tarragon sauce.

Portrait is clearly set to become a favourite lunchtime spot for slightly more upmarket diners in the same way as Chez Gerrard. The food is better and the views across London towards Parliament and the London Eye cannot be beaten - by night, this panorama should ensure plenty of romantic bookings. Prices are low given the calibre of the kitchen, although mercifully out of reach for teenagers.

Highly recommended.