Beware: the SM thermom-eater has arrived. But what does it rate and what does it hate? Evaluating everything from Taiwanese bao to overflowing burgers, no bun is safe… Read on to find out what else made the cut this month

what's hot...

Bao down

The Taiwanese steamed buns are still top of our list, now in burger form at Soho’s Pho & Bun (right) and coming soon to Peckham from Mr Bao

Divine dosas

We can’t get enough of the crisp and sweet parcels of joy at new Sri Lankan hotspot Hoppers in Soho, from the Gymkhana guys

Musical munching

Alan Yau has his very own jazz band to serenade you while you dine at newly opened Park Chinois. Rather nice, we think – especially if the conversation isn’t up to scratch

Stars within reach

Those who dole out Michelin stars seem to be loving more casual restaurants at the moment, such as Le Bab and Black Axe Mangal. We’re happy: more affordable means we can dine like royalty more often

...on the fence...

A bar called La Cabina has opened in Dalston, where you type a code into a telephone keypad to gain entry. Silly gimmick or the coolest thing ever? We can’t decide

what's not...

Bun/burger ratios

We want to be able to pick up our burger and take a good ol’ bite out of it. Too-small buns where everything drops out (usually down our front) just don’t cut the mustard…

Festive menus

Firstly, the word ‘festive’ should be banned. Secondly, let us eat à la carte. If everyone could stop trying to ‘warm our cockles’ with ‘winter warmers’ that would be dandy, too