Food & drink news

The sun's still shining, so the brave of heart can still eat outside. One of the most stunning al fresco locations has to be Babylon's terrace and, although recent lunches have been, erm, interesting (particularly an improbably mammoth, deep-fried risotto ball), its new autumn menu looks like a winner.

Head chef Oliver Smith has ambitiously mixed seasonal ingredients with intriguing flavours and techniques: sautèed scallops with herb and pancetta salad, roasted pear, truffle and chorizo foam; tataki of seared kangaroo loin with pickled wild mushroom, walnut and parsley salad, honey and rosemary dressing; or honeyroast duck breast with Chinese sausage salardaise, Asian broccoli and fig wine jus. There's also a tasting menu: five courses for £55 a head.

Babylon, The Roof Gardens, 99 Kensington High Street W8. Tel: 020 7368 3993. Tube: Kensington High Street

We like South: its unassuming, get-on-with-it attitude and its honest, Francophile bistro cooking. Its menu changes regularly - expect dishes such as tomato, leek and Corsican ricotta torte and confit de canard - and dishes are reasonably priced. South is currently running a prix fixe menu (until 7.30pm) at a giveaway £12.95 for three courses: confit of salmon, roast corn-fed chicken breast and pear tart.

South, 128 Curtain Road EC2. Tel: 020 7729 4452. Tube: Old Street

Wapping's latest modern Indian, River Spice, has spruced up its bar and chef Babul Kamali has created some new set menus. The three courses will come with a full complement of breads, rices and extras. For each £25-a-head meal sold, the restaurant will give £5 to the Red Cross Asia Floods Appeal, raising money for the victims of the Bangladeshi floods, which left thousands of people homeless: a sound initiative that deserves support.

River Spice, 83-85 Wapping Lane E1. Tel: 020 7488 4051. Tube: Wapping