Cole's culinary commotion

It looks a bit businessman, but the lunches are fantastic. Definitely nine out of ten, and it's relatively quiet at lunchtime. And they've got a waterfeature on the wall that's tasteful.

Geale's, 2 Farmer Street W8. Tel: 020 7727 7528. Tube: Notting Hill Gate

There's a woman flitting around here who reminds me of the quintessential British sitcom middle-class woman: she talks in a telephone voice all the time. The semi-processed, semi-mushy peas with mint are still excellent and the cod is brilliant. A bourgeois chippy: perfect for me.

Royal China, 13 Queensway W2. Tel: 020 7221 2535. Tube: Queensway

It's all silver and gold on the inside and very gaudy, but refreshingly so, and serves the best traditional Chinese food I've had in London. There's a mixed crowd; well-to-do locals and tourists. Is it like a Chinese version of Aberdeen Steak House? No, much gaudier - think Royal Aberdeen Steak House.

ENO, 14 Blenheim Cres W11. Tel: 020 7229 5454. Tube: Ladbroke Grove

I was pleasantly surprised by lunch here. The chilli salt squid is one of the best things you can get anywhere in the world, it's fantastic. The staff were friendly, not at all snooty, even to somebody like me who looks much more like a schoolteacher these days.

Kensington Place, 201-209 Kensington Church Street W8. Tel: 020 7727 3184.
Tube: Notting Hill Gate

The maitre d' is awfully nice to me, and usually finds a table for me in the corner if I'm desperate and they don't have any free tables. But they won't embarrass you: there's nothing worse than being fawned over when other people are waiting, like walking past the queue at a club. It's pretty bad form, but I haven't been to a club in years. I'm definitely closer to a food critic than a rock critic these days.

Lloyd Cole's new album, Music In A Foreign Language, is out now on Sanctuary.