RESTAURANTS: ANYONE FOR OYSTERS?

Bill Bentley's

Swedeland Court, 202 Bishopsgate, EC2 (0171-283 1763)

City lads' hangout with vaulted basement dining room and smart oyster bar.

Wheeler's

125 Chancery Lane, WC2 (0171-404 6071) and Old Compton St, W1 (0171-437 2706)

Old-fashioned bars and restaurants with mannered clientele. Food is good, but atmosphere far too staid.

Sheekeys

28-32 St Martin's Ct, WC2 (0171-240 2565)

Age-old theatrical haunt, with a dramatic velvet, wood and signed-photo- covered interior.

Bibendum Oyster Bar

Michelin House, Fulham Rd, SW3 (0171-589 1480)

Early Conran development still hard to beat on the style front. Notable for being packed at weekends with lunching-ladies assuaging hangovers with potassium fixes.