Top five.. with an American flavour
1. Big Easy
With its checkered tablecloths and plastic-coated menu, the Easy breathes down-home Texas. Not sophisticated, just damn fine, big ol' food in a raucous, good-natured environment. Ace steaks. 332-334 King's Road SW3. Tel: 020 7352 4071. Tube: Sloane Square
2. Prospect Grill
A little slice of Manhattan. Good looking, cool, great food, seductive atmosphere, bloody good burgers: what's not to like? 4-6 Garrick Street WC2. Tel: 020 7379 0412. Tube: Covent Garden
3. The Arkansas Cafè
Bodean's says it's the UK's first original smokehouse. This might upset Bubba Helberg, who's been making Spitalfields truly smokin' for some years. Don't miss the Barbary duck breasts. Lunches only. 107 Commercial Street E1. Tel: 020 7377 6999. Tube: Liverpool Street
4. Christopher's
Very Upper East Side: cool, sophisticated and, since its recent tartup, fabulously glamorous. Steaks, lobsters, tobacco onions, flawless Bloody Marys: mmmm. 18 Wellington Street WC2. Tel: 020 7240 4222. Tube: Covent Garden
5. TGI Friday's
They're all over the States and now they're spreading like a rash here, too. Not as bad - or as cheap - as you might imagine. Terrifyingly friendly staff but kids (of all ages) love it. 6 Bedford Street WC2 (and branches). Tel: 020 7379 0585. Tube: Covent Garden
