Caia

Stepping into Caia, the first thing you notice is a tantalising smell of grilled meats mixed with a backdrop of trendy jazz beats. This Notting Hill hotspot - opened by locals Tim Lang & Rishabh Vir - is named after the Roman god of fire, and as such, the custom-made grill forms the restaurant's epicentre.

Whether you’re seated at the grill, or downstairs in the basement where a cabinet housing a state-of-the-art record player, speakers and huge selection of vinyl takes centre stage, you know you’ll be looked after from beginning to end.

We recommend kicking off with a Naked & Famous - a mezcal and Aperol based cocktail - that’s just the right amount of sweet and strong. If nothing on the floor to ceiling wine display catches your fancy, General Manager Florent Giovannone is usually on hand to talk you through the quirky selection that champions English wines.

Head chef Jessica Donovan, who counts Dinner By Heston as part of her impressive resume, has designed a menu that celebrates open-fire cooking, but makes it sleek. Dishes here range between £4 and £17 and are meant to be shared. But when the first dish of crispy chicken skin hits the table, you might just find yourself tussling for the last bite. Black pepper and garlic focaccia is the perfect accompaniment to several of the larger dishes on offer - burrata and jerk peas, Cuore del Vesuvio tomato, melon and Spenwood and Smoked Jersey Royals offer an eclectic collection to liven up your palate.

The standout dish has to be the beautifully grilled monkfish, served on a bed of creamy sweet corn. But the bavette, served with chicory and pickled wild garlic is a close second. A simple offering of chocolate eclair or peach with lemon granita tops off this classy yet delightfully indulgent menu. After dessert, we recommend opting for a Garibaldi Aperitivo - a classic, but they seem to hit differently at Caia.

Caia, named after the Roman goddess of fire, is a wine bar serving up small plates cooked over fire in Notting Hill. Founded by locals Rishabh Vir and Tim Lang, the restaurant boasts an extensive wine list from classic and new sources, as well as wine-friendly fare cooked on a custom-made, open fire grill.

The restaurant is located just off London's famed Portobello, and is centered around an open kitchen and grill. Inside is a modern environment, with light pink walls and pink and green velvet stools, the muted colours made interesting by the sharp black and gold lights - making the bar feel like a cross between the bar in Stanley Kubrik's The Shining and a Millennial playground (in all the best ways). Ten guests are able to sit right at the bar and watch the magic happen on the open grill, while an extra 12 lucky diners can enjoy the views in the wine room.

The menu is a selection of seasonal dishes prepared on the grill and supplemented with ferments, vinegars and preserves to sharply cut through the smoky char from the fire. But more importantly for the wine connoisseurs of London is the extensive list of Old-World wines from producers old and new, selected by wine expert Beth Brickenden. There is also a cocktail menu, with drinks such as the ‘Mi-To’, a classic cocktail from 1860 named after the birthplaces of Campari (Milan) and Vermouth di Torino (Turin).

The tunes come from a Kuzma R record player and Auditorium R-25 A speakers, which pump out a carefully curated vinyl collection by Stranger Than Paradise Records founder Noreen McShane. Expect to hear some unique songs from a variety of fun genres from jazz to funk to disco to tropical. Caia's monthly program of music-led events include guest DJ’s, listening events, live acoustic sessions and artist Q&As.