Sophisticated basement bistro on the Green

Noteworthy for: The mural on the wall depicts the restaurant in full swing, with some familiar faces amongst the customers. We particularly like Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela's tête-à-tête.

With its white tableclothes, silver-topped condiment pots, unobtrusive piano soundtrack and slick, experienced waiters, Peploes is a class act - the kind of place formal enough to please your granny, but also with enough of a convivial buzz to be conducive to a long lunch date accompanied by two too many glasses of Sancerre.

Food is similarly high calibre and crowd-pleasing, along the lines of steak and moules marinieres interspersed with the odd trendy dish such as wild rabbit risotto with pomegranate seeds. Unsurprisingly for such a proficient all-rounder, the restaurant is never less than busy, so do book.