Rocking eats

Saxophonist

The atmosphere reminds me a lot of West Indian restaurants I know in Birmingham. The atmosphere is jovial and friendly, with people busting jokes, but also it’s so central a lot of celebrities come through and have their pictures on the wall, so it feels like an important place to be. Mine’s not on the wall yet, maybe you can speak to them after this article.

Ochi, 226 Uxbridge Road W12. Tel: 020 8742 9620. Tube: Shepherd’s Bush

It’s good West Indian cuisine, probably one of the finest restaurants in London. It’s got well-seasoned chicken or fish, rice and peas, saltfish and ackee; many specialised dishes. I think West Indian food is unique in its varied influences; Chinese and Indian, as well as African.

Pizza Express Jazz Club, 10 Dean Street W1. Tel: 020 7439 8722. Tube: Tottenham Court Road

The music is one reason for going there, and the food obviously. The two go really well together. I could have said any Pizza Express anywhere, but this is definitely one of my favourite places because the food is exceptional — even among the whole chain — and the music is exceptional on any given night.

The Spice Of Life 37—39 Romilly Street W1. Tel: 020 7437 7013. Tube: Leicester Square

As with Pizza Express, it’s a similar thing here with the jam sessions. On the third Thursday of every month Tomorrow’s Warriors do a little spot there, and it could well become a little depository for young British jazz musicians to play, and eat good food. Like many pubs and clubs across London, they’re offering a good spread from Mediterranean to Cajun to traditional English dishes.

Nazrul, II 49 Hanbury Street E1. Tel: 020 7247 5656. Tube: Shoreditch

There’s a big Nazrul restaurant in Brick Lane, but this is the smaller one opposite the Vibe Bar. It’s quite small, cheap and cheerful, and the food is just great.

Soweto Kinch has been nominated for this year’s Panasonic Mercury Music Prize. He plays the Pizza Express Jazz Club on Mon and Tue.