Bites

Points west

Next thing you know, they'll be calling it WoNoH - West of Notting Hill. Notting Hill itself has seen the landmark Leith's become the Notting Hill Brasserie (020-7229 4481), and The Ark off Notting Hill Gate (122 Palace Gardens, W8; 020-7229 4024) return from an interlude as Novelli W8 to its old name and new form as an Italian restaurant. But there have been a spate of new restaurants WoNoH in the past few months. Two more to look out for: Lemon Thyme at 190 Castelnau, SW13 (020-8748 3437), which will be Italian and should be open by the end of the month; and, opening early next year, a sibling of Chez Bruce and The Square, at 5 Devonshire Road, W4 (020-8747 1836).

Next thing you know, they'll be calling it WoNoH - West of Notting Hill. Notting Hill itself has seen the landmark Leith's become the Notting Hill Brasserie (020-7229 4481), and The Ark off Notting Hill Gate (122 Palace Gardens, W8; 020-7229 4024) return from an interlude as Novelli W8 to its old name and new form as an Italian restaurant. But there have been a spate of new restaurants WoNoH in the past few months. Two more to look out for: Lemon Thyme at 190 Castelnau, SW13 (020-8748 3437), which will be Italian and should be open by the end of the month; and, opening early next year, a sibling of Chez Bruce and The Square, at 5 Devonshire Road, W4 (020-8747 1836).

Bollo House, 13-15 Bollo Lane, London W4 (020-8994 6037). Mon dinner, Tue-Sun lunch and dinner, bar daily. Since late August under the benign influence of chef/restaurateur Adam Robinson, who also owns The Chiswick, great food and drinks are served in the now stripped-down pub, at great prices - lunchtime special of, say, roast chicken broccoli and bagna cauda with a glass of wine or pint of beer (Greene King rules) is £4.95. Order at the bar and it will be brought to you. The wine list is superbly succinct, and there's eating outside.

Cotto, 44 Blythe Road, London W14 (020-7602 9333). Mon-Fri lunch and dinner, Sat dinner. Very well received ever since it opened in April. The space is exquisite, with colourful abstracts against a serene white background, and equally poised and obliging waiting staff. Food is modern British at its best: wood pigeon with pumpkin, maple syrup and parsley sauce; Dover sole with chorizo, coco beans, fennel and anise sauce; quince tatin with cardamom and orange ice-cream. Three courses for £25; lunch £12.50.

Parade, 18-19 The Mall, London W5 (020-8810 0202). Mon-Sat lunch and dinner, Sun lunch. A year on, and enthusiasm for Parade hasn't waned. Enjoy straightforward but substantial modern European dishes like smoked haddock risotto with a poached egg (£6), pissaladiere with mushrooms, leeks and pecorino (£10.50) or cod fillet with a herb crust, boulangere potatoes and braised cabbage and bacon (£13), in a well-run restaurant decorated with fine modern art from names as familiar as Hockney and Frink.

Pug, 66-68 Chiswick High Road, London W4 (020-8987 9988). Daily lunch and dinner. Bar and restaurant from Brian Baker (Elton John's ex-chef) opened in September. Dishes range from crayfish and red mullet mousseline with saffron and yoghurt dressing, crispy pig's trotter terrine with parsnip purée and Moroccan lamb with lime and herb couscous. Around £20 for three courses and the bar's open all day for drinking, too. Wines are mainly New World.