The Paddington Inn

Subtle spices are the name of the game at this pub at the chic end of Oxford Street. The tasting plate kicked things off with duck spring rolls, fried chicken wings, jamon and parsley croquettes and white bait fritters served with mojo sauce - an old Spanish-style sauce of tomato, onion and garlic. The rolls were the highlight, tender duck in a mix including cabbage, mint, raisins, pinenuts, dill and shallots. The eye fillet steak was cooked to perfection, served with a deliciously spiced mushroom sauce on a bed of garlic mashed potato, while chicken was spiced with harissa, a North African chilli paste.