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PIED À TERRE RESTAURATEUR DAVID MOORE'S INSIDER GUIDE TO FITZROVIA

The Man Behind London's Longest Standing Michelin Star Restaurant Shares His Definitive Guide to Fitzrovia's Best Restaurants, Bars and Cafes

Irish restaurateur, entrepreneur and TV personality, David Moore is the founder of London’s longest standing Michelin star restaurant, Pied à Terre.

He opened the legendary, French fine dining institution on Charlotte Street in 1991, bagging its first Michelin just 13 months after opening, and following it up with a second, five years later.

The restaurant rose like a Phoenix from the ashes, after a fire forced it to close for a year in 2005. In a now legendary hospitality story, Moore kept the entire team on, sending them to gain experience elsewhere, while he had it rebuilt, redecorated and resurrected.

It went on to be voted Restaurant Magazine's Best Restaurant in the World in 2007, and continues to hoover up accolades, from four AA Rosettes to the UK's No1 Vegan Tasting Experience.

When he’s not working front of house at the restaurant in his trademark, jazzy shirts, David can be found on telly boxes in shows like BBC MasterChef: The Professionals, or The Restaurant, where he appeared alongside his former mentor, Raymond Blanc.

And there is nobody better placed to bring us the ultimate guide to Fitzrovia’s top places to eat and drink, from morning to night, for this definitive guide to the distinguished, Bloomsbury neighbourhood.

Pied à Terre, 34 Charlotte St., London W1T 2NH

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COFFEE

The Espresso Room

Officially the smallest coffee shop in London, you can find it in the heart of Bloomsbury, behind Great Ormond Street Hospital.

They serve single estate coffee, ground to order. One of my favourites in an Ice Vietnamese Coffee. I know I shouldn’t like this, but I can’t help myself. There are the creamy, sweet notes from the condensed milk and the fruity notes from the espresso; if you have ever been to Vietnam it will take you back in a sip.

The Espresso Room, 31-35 Great Ormond St, London WC1N 3HZ

BREAKFAST

Andrews Cafe

London used to be packed with characterful “greasy spoon’ joints. The capital's rents have now priced them out of the market, so they are very much a dying breed. Andrews offers a host of Set All Day Breakfasts, starting at £7.50.

It is a no-nonsense offering, with waitress service and pay at the counter when you finish.

I like double bacon and double poached egg with grilled tomatoes, a mug of tea and buttery toast for £8 - no cooking, no washing-up. What's not to love? They do a spanking poached egg, always runny. There is a full menu running alongside the All Day Breakfast and a Daily Special; I once tried the Mixed Grill - not for the faint hearted.

Andrews Cafe, 59 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1X 8TL

LUNCH

Bouchon Racine

If there is one restaurant that I never tire of, it is Henry Harris’s, Bouchon Racine. Henry Harris - boy can he cook. It is just simple food, simple recipes, great produce, but all delivered by a Chef maestro at the top of his game. The room is light and airy, sitting above the Three Compasses pub. The front of house team are super knowledgeable, friendly and engaging.

Bouchon Racine, Upstairs, 66 Cowcross St, London EC1M 6BP

DINNER

Otto's French Restaurant

Otto’s, a restaurant that I can see from my bedroom window - not sure you need to know that, except to say that I am uber local to it. Otto’s is not into foams or froths; it doesn’t look to make a silk purse out of a pig's ear. But it will have a delicious Pig's Head, classic Steak Tartare, served table side, and probably every other classic dish you can think of. Be mindful that some dishes need preordering and prepaying for; such as the Poulet de Bresse £190 - it is totally awesome...

Otto's French Restaurant, 182 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1X 8EW

DRINKS

WC Wine & Charcuterie Bloomsbury

Housed in a basement Victorian public toilet facility at the top of Lambs Conduit Street on Guildford Place, this fun venue with clever repurposing on the toilet site, reuses the floor plan to create many small, cosy corners as well as a larger outside deck. It does what it says on the tin really well...

WC Bloomsbury, Former Public Convenience, Guilford Pl, London WC1N 1EA

INSIDER TIP

Duck Dim Sum

The best Chinese in London - but don’t tell anyone! Ask a critic, any of them, where the best dim sum is and they will sing the chorus of Kings Cross Road, Duck Dim Sum. It's a family affair, with a first come first served, queuing policy, even the great and good have to stand in line. You are encouraged to examine the menu while in the queue and pressed for an order almost as soon as you sit. The food arrives fast and furious. It's all freshly home-made down to the very last dumpling. Typically dwell time is about 45 minutes so you can calculate how long the wait is, as they have 15 seats inside and 12 seats outside. No wine of note on the list - ask about Corkage.

Duck Dim Sum, 124 King's Cross Rd, London WC1X 9DS