Benja
Photo by Sam Bailey
Benja means ‘five’ in Thai and the quintet theme runs throughout this elegant Soho newcomer, from five colours (red, black, green, turquoise and yellow) comprising its decor to the five taste sensations of sweet, spicy, sour, bitter and salty in its pricey menu of traditional Thai fare.
Magdalen, an inconspicuous newcomer in the former La Fina Estampa space near London Bridge offers a cosy setting (oak floors, leather banquettes, deep plum-coloured walls) for sophisticated Modern European fare with strong French leanings.
In bright, bi-level digs opposite Balham Station, Raviolo offers affordable Italian fare – with a strong bias to the eponymous ravioli – from a simple paper menu that doubles as a table mat.