Paris Grill

Arrayed like so many hunting trophies, the severed neckties displayed at Le Paris Grill are a not-so-subtle reminder that it’s best to go open-necked if you’re visiting this venerable family-run steakhouse on your birthday. Tradition doesn’t end there: steak tartare is prepared at the tableside, cheeses are served from the trolley, and the menu has a distinctly French accent – from snails in garlic and parsley butter to the chalked-up daily specials. We rate the charcoal-grilled beef here: Irish fillet with béarnaise sauce, chateaubriand or the 750g rib to share, served with hand-cut chips. Wines are predominantly French and relatively affordable. If the comfortable but windowless dining room emits a certain function-suite anonymity, the same can’t be said for the delightfully snug basement bar, where you can tuck into steak sandwiches washed down by bottled French beer. A second Le Paris Grill opened at 6 Little Britain in 2014.

Paris Grill can be found in the heart of London's city centre, and has been impressing guests for many years, since 1978. Recently, the restaurant underwent a major makeover, and whilst the ethos of its original charm still remains, it has revived its beauty with a bit of a contemporary art deco flair. On the menu, you'll find a range of delicious home comforts, along with seasonally changing dishes that reflect the best ingredients that are available, along with traditional recipes.

Here, wines are carefully sourced and selected with a special focus on those from France, and the menu includes a variety of stunning dishes, beginning with some pretty tasty starters. Scottish loch salmon with a marinated beetroot salad, tempura black tiger prawns on a bed of baby gem with sweet chilli sauce, and escargots roasted in garlic butter with parsley. Next up are some of the Paris grill classics, including bronze copas roast Christmas turkey pork collar, served with all the traditional trimmings, corn fed chicken wrapped in bacon, truffle mashed potatoes, sweet onion purée and a roast rack of lamb, mashed king edward potatoes, sweet onion purée, braised red cabbage.

If you're looking for something vegetarian, try the pithivier with grilled vegetables and a spicy tomato sauce, or the truffle risotto with white mushroom and parmesan crisps. From the charcoal grill, you can enjoy a chateaubriand with roasted tomatoes, balsamic rocket salad and French fries, with a selection of sauces. Fish dishes include the sea bass en papillote with new potatoes, and fillet of cod with creamed leeks, mashed potatoes and white wine sauce.

When it's time for dessert, try the glazed apple tarte tatin with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream, or regional French cheese and refreshing sorbets.