Attentive, fun and predominantly handsome staff in a beautiful, unfussy, low-key space, hidden away as all good date/affair venues should be.
Fine food in a sort of Francophone way - robust, unfuddled around with and confident. Great value midweek specials, tasty wine, great buzzy dining room.
Sexy (borderline seedy) bar downstairs to finish you off. Such a treat.
It's all just very tastefully executed.

When I first stumbled on this place a couple of months ago, I was happily in love and glad to recommend it to friends. Sadly the honeymoon period seems to be over. Despite impressive coffee, an inventive and well executed menu and a playful, elegant interior (surely these three reasons are enough in themselves to suggest I had found a great local), I won't be visiting Lantana again. I won't go into the details here for fear of sounding puerile or melodramatic, but I can summarise with the conclusion that this was the rudest and indeed worst service I have ever received in London. I was enraged to the point of leaving the cafe before placing an order and appalled to be entirely dismissed by noxious, disinterested sarcasm when returning to explain my disappointment later in the day. If you can tolerate being treated with utter contempt, you'll find good things. Otherwise, I recommend finding somewhere with a little more soul, humanity (in fact) and decent manners. A hot spot for hipster masochists.

Really bloody good and cheap too.

Some real highs - amazing puddings, beautiful dining room and mostly efficient service but shocking roast potatoes and mediocre main courses really let this place down.

More than a back street boozer, this place is almost good enough for a date. Maybe the third date...
A big dark room given life thanks to a breath of dusty Victoriana, serious seedy lighting more than a mouthful of writhing hipsters.
Also ft some tasty off the list lagers, homemade fish finger sandwiches of legend and a basement home to the super electro acoustic club.
Even with its uber-fashion leanings, this place still manages to feel just like a pub and I like that.

I have little else to add but that it the complete opposite of the word sombre.
Please visit and eat a small piece of sunny heart like love.
Really, words are not sufficient.
Be warned, the clumsy, ineloquent and alarming turquoise interior will stay with you and you will go back.
Luckily, it is also rather cheap.

Wholesome, unpretentious sister restaurant of Acorn House from the Shoreditch Trust. The restaurants support good work in neighbourhoods and promote sustainable practice, local sourcing and real food.
That bit is complicated but the food really isn't. Great tasty, honest and ingredient-led deliciousness.
There is safety in the menu, which borrows from the almost modern classic anglo-european experience but some edgier touches from a smoky rich brandade or tingly black pepper ice cream really excite.
For dinner, its not a "cheap eat" but you can comfort yourself in the knowledge that you are buying into something worthwhile, that the local community directly benefit and that you are not offsetting the costs of eating out by cheap labour, exploitation or poor farming practice.
This place is, however, first and foremost a well run restaurant with excellent culinary standards and not a charity case.
A warm, simple dining room looking over the canal and excellent personal service make this little back street hideaway something rather special.

If you want a fry (a good one) you can't beat Dino's. Well, some places have better sausages and the place is bleak(ish) but really, its proper. Always choose tea.

Cheap drinks, buzzy vibe.

Atmosphere prevails over quality but a good night to be found here.

Super coffee that cares and only a quid.