Hot off the hob

When John McClements opened Ma Cuisine in Twickenham, we raved about it: the combination of really sound, old-school bistro food and gentle prices proved a winner. So much so, he's opened another branch in Kew.

It follows the same successful pattern: casual decor with checked tablecloths and poster prints; and traditional French crowdpleasers - fillet au poivre, cassoulet, frogs' legs (served 'Kiev', with garlic mayonnaise) and sinfully delicious black pudding 'en croute' with Dijon mustard sauce. Starters are around £4.50, mains around £10.

Wapping Food has added to its collection of intriguing initiatives with a revamped wine list. Well known for only stocking Australian bottles, they've listened to customers and added their best suggestions. There's a good selection by the glass, including a heady Plantagenet Mount Barker Riesling (£6.25) and a luxurious Mount Langi Ghiran Pinot Gris (£8.50).

More Australian flavours at the lovely Osia, where Antipodean chef Scott Webster has been wowing diners. His new menu has some must-try dishes: how about salt and dorrigo (native pepper) crusted calamari with mango and pink pepper relish? Or roast barramundi, buttered warrigal greens and tomato XO sauce? Even English cheeses come with quandong (bush fruit) jelly.