Jak’s Mayfair

You're on South Molton Street in Mayfair—that stretch where the high street gets a bit more serious—and Jak's is the kind of place that doesn't need to shout about itself. Walking in, there's a genuine neighbourhood restaurant feel despite the postcode, all warm lighting and the kind of buzz that suggests people actually want to be here rather than just ticking a box. The cooking is European without getting precious; proper technique, good ingredients, the sort of thing that works because it's not trying too hard. You'll find regulars at the bar and tables full of people who seem to know what they're doing with a wine glass.