The Hilly Kitchen & Bistro

We went there for a mid-July dinner. The place looked nice and welcoming, with sunny terrace smothered in flowers. The food was uninspired bordering on nasty. Grilled fish and squid were OK, but served with limp mixed leaves in bland watery dressing. Everything else was tasteless gunk, coated in that industrial orange batter you get on fish fingers and deep-fried to a crisp in evil-smelling oil.

This bit of Muswell Hill has been crying out for a little bistro like this. The food is exceptional and the staff easily the most accommodating and friendly people I've come across in a long time. The prices are hard to beat too – enormous portions of expertly cooked fresh food for around £10. I've become a regular – and have been both during the lunch time rush, and in the evenings, when it's less busy. And the food has never been less than perfect.