Trendy bars, cheap Chinese

From the drop-dead gorgeous, reassuringly expensive Crazy Bear to dumplings and good hearty cooking at cheap, cheerful Chinese café Rong Chen we round up some great bars and restaurants to visit before the an evening at the movies...

FASHIONABLE BARS...

The Crazy Bear
26-28 Whitfield Street, W1
Such is the popularity of the Evening Standard Bar of the Year that it is almost always advisable to book. This is a drop-dead gorgeous, reassuringly expensive cocktail bar. (020 7631 0088)

Alphabet
61 Beak St, W1
Still going strong after nearly a decade at the forefront of Soho's social circuit. Modern British fare is served from an open kitchen, and a there's a good selection of international beers. (020 7439 2190)

Prism
147 Leadenhall Street, EC3
In the basement of a Grade I listed building, Harvey Nicks have brought us an oh-so stylish champagne and cocktail bar. Proving to be an essential pit-stop for City boys and girls. (020 7256 3875)

CHEAP CHINESE...

Rong Chen
72 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1
A cheap, cheerful Chinese café with a reputation for dishes from Fujian. Good hearty cooking, especially the dumplings and noodles. £10pp ex-drinks. (020 7287 8078)

Canton
11 Newport Place, WC2
Old-established Chinatown pit-stop diner. There's good duck and rice, though more complex dishes are sound rather than glorious. £10pp ex-drinks. (020 7437 6220)

Hung Toa
51 Queensway, W2
Best place on Queensway for one-pot meals - noodle soups, duck rice, all the usual suspects. Popular with students and bargain hunters. £10pp ex-drinks. (020 7727 5753)