London Other Neighborhoods

Poilâne, 46 Elizabeth St. (020 7808 4910; www.poilane.com) Poilâne is one of the most famous bakeries from Paris, which means that, by London standards, it's ungodly good. The commitment to excellence at Poilâne is unparalleled. Many of the bakers live above the shop, baking the bread all through the night to ensure that it's fresh for the morning crowd. They use only the oldest, most time-honored traditions and techniques when creating their sourdough masterpieces, and the pain au chocolat is to die for. Also worth noting is the fact that they bake in wood-fired ovens of the type that started the Great Fire of London—but don't worry, Poilâne is both safe and delicious. Victoria. Left onto Buckingham Palace Rd., right onto Elizabeth St. Custard tart £16. Walnut bread £4. Pain au chocolat £1.20. Sourdough bread £4.40. Open M-F 7:30am-7pm. Sa 7:30am-6pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

da Scalzo, 2 Eccleston Pl. ( 020 7730 5498; www.dascalzo.com) You should really be wary of Italian restaurants, especially ones in close proximity to train and bus stations, like da Scalzo, but da Scalzo defies all odds. The food is well-priced and fantastically portioned, making for a real Italian feast to be savored. Their pastas and pizzas are especially delish, but they do amazing things with the preparation of other dishes that'll make you double take when you see the bill (which, for food of this caliber, is strikingly low). More important than all of this, however, is the atmosphere at da Scalzo. The waiters and waitresses pal around with each other, putting on informal shows with pizza dough, and they have the incredible ability to make you feel that, though you may have just gotten off the plane, you've been dining at da Scalzo for your whole life. Victoria. Left onto Buckingham Palace Rd., right onto Elizabeth St. Pasta and risotto £6-7. Stone baked pizza £8.50-9. Meat £12.50-14. Fish £12.50. Open M-Sa 8am-11pm, Su 8am-8pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

Baker and Spice 54-56 Elizabeth St. (020 7730 3033; www.bakerandspice.uk.com) Baker and Spice is the part deux of the one-two pastry punch on Elizabeth St. The street boasts Poîlane, and, less than a block away, the equally good Baker and Spice. Serving freshly made pastries; strong, delicious coffee; and a wide variety of ready-made meals and salads, Baker and Spice is gourmet on the go. Ideal for takeaway, but delicious enough to be savored slowly in the al fresco dining areas, Baker and Spice does it all with ample style and grace. Victoria. Left onto Buckingham Palace Rd., right onto Elizabeth St. Open M-Sa 7am-7pm, Su 8am-5pm. Takes credit cards.

The Kensington Crêperie, 2-6 Exhibition Rd. ( 020 7589 8947; www.kensingtoncreperie.com">www.kensingtoncreperie.com">www.kensingtoncreperie.com) Close to the museums off Exhibition Rd., the Kensington Crêperie serves fantastic and affordable crepes and less affordable, equally fantastic ice cream sundaes. Along with delicious crêpes like the garlic, spinach, and cream cheese option, the Kensington Crêperie produces ice cream sundae masterpieces such as the Stone Age. (hazelnuts, walnuts, peanuts, coconuts, flaked almond, two scoops of ice cream, sauce of choice, honey, and walnuts). With al fresco dining on Exhibition Rd., each delicious savory and sweet crêpe only tastes better. South Kensington. Turn right onto Thurloe St., left onto Exhibition Rd. Crepes £7.75-8.30. Sundaes £5.95. Open daily 8am-11pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access.

The Gate, 51 Queen Caroline St., 2nd floor ( 020 8748 6932; www.thegate.tv) Tucked away down Queen Caroline St. in the lofty, sunlit studio of a former puppet-maker, the Gate has been serving a menu composed almost entirely of vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free dishes for the last twenty years. Everything is made from seasonal ingredients, and the massive window that illuminates the dining room is bordered by sunflowers. If you like what you eat, you can buy their own cookbook, too. Hammersmith. Take the south exit from the Hammersmith shopping center toward the London Apollo and follow Queen Caroline St. Reservations recommended 3 days in advance. Entrees £12.50-13.50. Open M-F noon-2:30pm and 6-10pm, Sa 6-11pm.

Patio 5 Goldhawk Rd. (020 8743 5194) Patio is literally buried in the numerous accolades and press given to the restaurant over its 24-year career. Owned by a former Polish opera singer, Patio is filled with warm carpets and stuffed upholstered chairs, meant to create a casual but pleasant dining experience. Diners enjoy traditional English and Polish fare (the menu is filled with veal), and selections from the Polish menu come with complimentary Polish vodka. There's also a dusty-sounding piano which any guest can play. Come and enjoy and then catch a show nearby. Shepherd’s Bush. Cross Uxbridge Rd. and turn right onto Shepherd’s Bush Green. Follow it until it becomes Goldhawk Rd. Entrees £8.50-11. Seafood £8.50-9.50. Open M-F noon-3pm and 5-11pm, Sa-Su 6-11:30pm. Takes credit cards.

Jenny Lo's Teahouse, 14 Eccleston St. (020 7259 0399; www.jennylo.co.uk) Thought you'd never hear about J. Lo again? This unassuming teahouse serves delicious Asian classics like Vietnamese-style vermicelli rice noodles, Thai-style lamb in green curry, and wok noodles. They have their own herbalist (Dr. Xu) and a terrific selection of delicious teas. Come here for a quick, quiet, and delicious meal. Victoria. Min. £5 per person. Takeaway available. Entrees £7.50-8.50. Therapeutic teas £2. Mint tea £3.50. Chinese teas £2. Open M-F noon-3pm and 6-10pm. Air conditioned. No wheelchair access.

Charlie's Portobello Rd. Cafe 59A Portobello Rd. ( 020 7221 2422 ;www.charliesportobelloroadcafe.co.uk "> www.charliesportobelloroadcafe.co.uk ) Tucked away in a small alcove off busy Portobello Rd., Charlie's Portobello Road Cafe is a hidden gem in one London's most over-exposed areas. Light streams into the spacious, authentically worn dining space through the huge French windows which are thrown open to a plant-lined patio. An atmospheric restaurant, Charlie's is a great place for a good, old-fashioned English breakfast. Notting Hill Gate. Take a right onto Pembridge Rd. and then left onto Portobello Rd. Free Wi-Fi. Full English breakfast £9.50. Open M-Sa 9am-5pm, Su noon-2:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has internet.

The Hummingbird Bakery, 133 Portobello Rd. (020 7229 6446; www.hummingbirdbakery.com) Priding themselves on bold, simple, American-style baked goods, the Hummingbird Bakery serves up their popular cupcakes and cakes in a simple space decorated by paintings of (surprise!) hummingbirds. Notting Hill Gate. Take right onto Pembridge Rd. and then left onto Portobello Rd. Credit card min. £5. Takeaway cheaper than eat-in. Cupcakes £1.75-2. Open M-F 10am-6pm, Sa 10am-6pm, Su 11am-5pm. Takes credit cards.

Bon Gusto, 75-77 Buckingham Gate (020 7222 7185) London, and Westminster especially, is teeming with touristy, budget restaurants that advertise themselves as "Ristorante Italiano," but serve up the most British Italian food ever. Bon Gusto advertises as such, but anyone passing the front door will find it hard to turn away. The restaurant unleashes a gust of hearty Italian smells on any passerby, and the toasted sandwiches on ciabatta and focaccia are delicious at unbeatable prices. Victoria. Right on Victoria St., left onto Buckingham Gate. Sandwiches £3.85-3.90. Open M-Sa 7am-10pm, Su 7am-3pm. Takes credit cards.