Albannach

Glamorous, decadent, smart, and above all Scottish, Albannach is spread over three grand floors on Trafalgar Square. You enter via the vast main bar partly lit by a central chandelier fashioned from ebonised antlers. Level with this witty creation is an elegant mezzanine restaurant with a bird's eye view over the bar. Up here the modern Caledonian menu is as fine as the scenery. Typical starters include pan fried black pudding with caramelised apples in thermidor sauce or Layered haggis neeps and tatties cake. Pick of the mains is arguably the roasted fillet of Buccleuch beef with stove potatoes, confit bay shallots with an artichoke purée. A long, long way from deep-fried Mars bars, desserts are a triumph. To drink? Choose from 140 malt whiskys and/or a strong wine list. Cocktails are best quaffed in the clandestine whisky and cocktail lounge in the vaults beneath the main bar.