Charlotte’s Bistro is owned by Alex Wrethman, brains behind popular Ealing Common stalwart, Charlotte’s Place which celebrates its 25 anniversary this year.

Unwind with coffee or tea, a glass of Prosecco, or a bespoke cocktail or two while perched at the bar adjacent to the venue’s large front windows or eat in head chef Cameron Hill’s dining room which is full of natural light from a huge skylight and decorated with unusual, eye-catching lamps. Seated on walnut wood and leather banquettes, diners can enjoy an accessibly priced à la carte menu including Smoked Haddock & Sweetcorn Chowder; Ham Hock Terrine with English Mustard & Parsley Dressing; Macaroni Cheese; Beef Onglet with Hand-Cut Chips; and Cameron’s special-recipe Bouillabaisse.

On Sundays it’s all about Traditional Roast British Beef with Yorkshire Pudding & Roasted Vegetables or Hoegaarden Beer-Battered Pollock Fillet With Mushy Peas, Hand-Cut Chips & Tartare Sauce for the less carnivorous.

Over in Parsons Green, the name My Dining Room speaks for itself. This brand new gastropub is designed to resemble a real home-from-home for locals keen to enjoy good food and wine in a relaxing and unpretentious venue.

Comprising three distinct spaces, patrons can kick back with a glass of wine or a selection of small plates in the bar or the lounge - all comfy leather sofas and warming fireplaces or decamp to the dining room at the back, its solid wooden furniture taking on a homely yet contemporary vibe as natural daylight floods in.

Owner Olivier Lavigne du Cadet recently launched Notting Hill’s Daylesford Organic and has also worked at Paris’ legendary La Coupole in Paris and King’s Road’s Bluebird Cafe while head chef, Julian Marshall’s enviable pedigree takes in Mosimann’s Private Members’ Dining Club, The Lanesborough Hotel and Le Cirque in New York!

The menu is characterised by Marshall’s ‘home dishes’ – large plates designed for sharing at the table in the spirit of a family supper. Options include Whole Sea Bream with Herb Stuffing, Whole Roast Garlic Chicken with Lemon Confit and even Confit Duck Shepherd’s Pie. Huge chocolate mousses and Rhubarb Trifle with Sherry Cream will finish things off a treat.

However, if sharing’s not your thing, you can still enjoy starters of Braised Oxtail with Almond & Parsnip Rösti and Grilled Sardines on Toast with Pesto & Tapenade or mains of Cornish Cod in Tempura Batter with Homemade Chips and Veal Kidney with Wholegrain Mustard & Dauphinoise Potatoes all to yourself.

A predominently European wine list with a strong focus on small, quirky labels and organic and biodynamic wines comes by the glass and carafe as well as by the bottle so guests can experiment to their hearts’ content.

Charlotte’s Bistro, 6 Turnham Green Terrace, W4, 020 8742 3590 www.charlottes.co.uk
My Dining Room, 18 Farm Lane, SW6, 020 7381 3331