200 Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7UT; brasseriejoel.co.uk
Nearest Tube: Waterloo

WHAT'S THE DRAW: Behind the towering walls of Westminster's opulent Park Plaza hotel lies Brasserie Joel, presided over by executive chef Walter Ishizuka, with a bistro-style menu that oozes French finesse.

WHAT TO DRINK: We're a sucker for a pre-dinner bourbon cocktail, and the brasserie's plush Primo Bar serves a mean vanilla-infused Kentucky Cooler.

WHAT TO EAT: The zingy tuna tartare, drizzled in yuzu dressing and presented in a dainty jar. For mains, we gorged on a crisped duck fillet with rich beetroot mash.