This authentic Italian restaurant in south west ­London is under the new ownership of Mark Elphicke and Douglas Smillie - former part-owners of Henry J Beans, and Mark Evans - one of the most successful operations directors in the business.

Paolo Barone, former head chef of Italian restaurant Spiga in Wardour Street, will also be on board after ­becoming group head chef of all Locale restaurants.

The menu is modern ­Italian and the restaurant will equally suit lunchtime and evening diners. Dishes include starters such as borlotti bean and farro soup with Parmesan, along with hearty mains such as roasted lamb shank with mashed ­potatoes. The star dessert is a pannacotta with raspberries.

Locale fits snugly with the rest of Fulham's trendy ­eateries, with a brightly-lit dining room that ­encorporates exposed brickwork, dark-wood furniture, and chandeliers. The restaurant has 147 covers and a bar for 20 ­people. A three-course meal will set you back about £28 per person, but a cheap wine list ensures no meal will break the bank. Wine prices start at £14.95 and the most expensive is priced at £34.95.

222 Munster Road, London SW6. 020 7381 6137



Shimo



This chic Japanese restaurant serves up traditional cuisine, including mackerel and ginger rolls; flying fish roe nigiri and pan-fried lobster at about £25 a head.

17-18 Tooks Court, London EC4. 020 7404 1818

shimo.co.uk



The Hand and Spear



Young's has spent £1.2m refurbing this Victorian pub, which serves top-end pub grub such as brown shrimps potted in butter, lemon and dill and crème brûlée.

Old Heath Road, Weybridge,

Surrey KT13 8TX. 01932 828063 handandspear.co.uk



Olly Olson, Schnackfood and Koffee



This takeaway, restaurant and coffee shop serves Scandinavian street food such as Swedish meatball sandwiches.

132 Wardour Street, London W1. 020 7439 0631

ollyolson.com