My favourite places to eat in London so far

Last week, after months of liking British cuisine but not LOVING it (minus a few amazing Thai "takeaways" / takeout and a really delicious Indian NYE meal), I ate at what very quickly became my two new favourite places for food.

First is the Riding House Cafe, which reminds me a bit of Vancouver's Café Medina—they both have that friendly-and-cool-but-not-pretentious atmosphere that is perfect both for brunch with the besties and a work meeting. I had eggs benedict, but I've been dreaming of the chorizo hash brown that my dining buddies Jessica and Fiona both had. I sense another visit coming up this week.

Photos: Riding House Cafe. Next time I'll try and take my own, although I do hate disrupting the flow of a meal to snap a photo.

For dinner on Friday, we went to Polpo, a Venetian bacaro (a term that is, apparently, hard to define—but it's basically a meeting place with a warm, friendly atmosphere). The room reminded me a bit of Café Medina's older sister, Chambar, except that it serves cicheti (side dishes) and small plates.

Best part, though, is that it is completely reasonable. We had olives, a plate of three different crostini, all piled high with various delicious toppings, lamb chump, flank steak, a beetroot salad, roast potatoes, three cocktails and a half litre of wine, and two desserts, for around £80.

The only downfall to Polpo is that they don't take resos... and, not surprisingly, reasonable prices + great atmosphere + a cool but not try-hard-y crowd = 90-minute waits.

Photos: Polpo. Again, I'll try harder next time.

Both restaurants are in Soho and are part of a family of successful properties (another similarity to Medina / Chambar). If you come and visit me in London, don't be surprised if I take you to one or both of them.