
It's often hard to spot the join between old Middlesex and London when it comes to food and restaurants: there's the same diversity and fascinating mix of flavours, be it top-class Chinese food in Harrow or Michelin-starred French cooking in Twickenham.
Out towards Heathrow is London's 'Little India', congregated around Southall, with all manner of food producers, cultural hot-spots and a clutch of first-rate, totally authentic restaurants while elsewhere, neighbourhood restaurants feed their local population with British and European food.
Glistening WatersHidden away in the Ferry Quays development of luxury flats, this enterprising Caribbean restaurant has made a lot of friends since opening in 2003: 'an absolute delight,' concluded one UK Restaurant Guide reporter, who praised the 'fantastic' reasonably priced food and excellent service.
5 Ferry Lane, Brentford, Middlesex - Cuisine: Caribbean
Lord NelsonOrganic meat from a farm in the Peak District is the star attraction at this large back-street local tucked away in the hinterland between South Ealing and Brentford.
9 Enfield Road, Brentford, Middlesex - Cuisine: Gastro pub
PappadumsThe location, in a riverside development by the Thames River Crossing, means that you can sit on the terrace and gaze out over the water towards Kew Gardens while enjoying authentic Indian food that draws most of its inspiration from the north of the Sub-continent.
GC1 & GC2 Ferry Quays, Brentford, Middlesex - Cuisine: Indian
San MarcoLocated at the heart of the Ferry Quays development in Brentford, San Marco enjoys great views of the Thames and a nearby sculptural landmark.
1 Ferry Lane, Brentford, Middlesex - Cuisine: Italian
Thai upon ThamesJust across Richmond Bridge and a couple of hundred yards along Richmond Road towards Twickenham, we were delighted to discover Thai upon Thames.
346 Richmond Road, East Twickenham, Middlesex - Cuisine: Thai
BloomsYounger sister to the iconic Jewish restaurant in Golders Green, this branch of Blooms has established itself as a reliable outpost of traditional Ashkenazi cooking - with the choice of table service or food to go.
313 Hale Lane, Edgware, Middlesex - Cuisine: Jewish
HaandiIt may not be as auspicious as its elder brother in Knightsbridge, but this branch of Haandi still attracts local Indian families and western cognoscenti to the outer reaches of Edgware (five minutes' walk from the station) because of its food.
301 - 303 Hale Lane, Edgware, Middlesex - Cuisine: Indian
Thai EdgeAn interesting choice for authentic Thai food in the suburbs, Thai Edge offers 'a really homely dining experience' in colourful, authentically decorated surroundings.
177 Station Road, Edgware, Middlesex - Cuisine: Thai
The Royal Chace HotelSet in several acres of grounds and open countryside just a short drive from Enfield and the M25, the privately owned Royal Chace Hotel is a great favourite for business or pleasure out of London.
162 The Ridgeway, Enfield, Middlesex - Cuisine: International
Caribbean ChoicePart of Harrow's lively ethnic restaurant scene, Caribbean Choice is a warm, friendly and unpretentious place noted for its genuine food, family atmosphere and fair prices.
116 High Street, Harrow, Middlesex - Cuisine: Caribbean
Golden PalaceA top-class Chinese restaurant located in a parade of shops on a busy thoroughfare in Harrow may sound unlikely, but the colourfully decorated Golden Palace is now rated as one of the best in the business and can outshine most of the competition when it's really on form.
146-150 Station Road, Harrow, Middlesex - Cuisine: Chinese
Incanto Restaurant & DelicatessenCombining the virtues of delicatessen and modern restaurant, Incanto occupies the old post office in Harrow-on-the-Hill and aims to provide a really friendly, open-minded environment for business people and families alike.
41 High Street, Harrow, Middlesex - Cuisine: Italian
KK RestaurantTraditional Indian cuisine 'prepared in a cauldron of tandoors, korais and woks' is the promise at this busy canteen-style restaurant not far from North Harrow station.
28 The Broadwalk, Harrow, Middlesex - Cuisine: Indian
Lanfranc's RestaurantBilled as 'the hotel for all seasons', the Quality Harrow is run with professionalism as well as a sense of humour.
The Quality Harrow Hotel, Harrow, Middlesex - Cuisine: European
Trattoria SorrentinaA fixture of Harrow's restaurant scene for more than 25 years, this long-running trattoria prides itself on catering equally well for big occasions and intimate assignations.
6 Manor Parade, Harrow, Middlesex - Cuisine: Italian
The RotisserieBilled as a 'Steak Restaurant & Grill', this Hatch End fixture does exactly what it says on the menu. The centrepieces are steaks – ribs, fillets, rump, T-bones, any cut you fancy – with side orders of thin fries, salads or even grilled asparagus.
316 Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, Middlesex - Cuisine: Eclectic
Radisson Edwardian Hotel Heathrow, Henleys RestaurantSome of the most interesting food within earshot of Heathrow Airport can be found in this modern hotel – making it a welcome alternative to in-flight food trays.
140 Bath Road, Hayes, Middlesex - Cuisine: Modern British
Gordon Ramsay Plane FoodGordon Ramsay has landed at Heathrow, and now runs this flagship restaurant among the plethora of chains and fast-food joints that do the feeding at Terminal 5.
Terminal 5, Hounslow, Middlesex - Cuisine: Modern European
JospensJoanna and Spencer Sills dovetailed their Christian names to come up with Jospens - a likeable and welcome addition to the local restaurant scene, situated just a short drive from Uxbridge.
15 Long Lane, Ickenham, Middlesex - Cuisine: Modern European
Memories of IndiaPart of a London-based group, this branch of Memories of India has been doing Osterley proud for a good many years.
160-162 Thornbury Road, Osterley, Middlesex - Cuisine: Indian
Friends RestaurantThe frontage of this 400-year-old Grade II-listed beamed cottage is festooned with window boxes and greenery, and inside it's been given a stylish makeover.
11 High Street, Pinner, Middlesex - Cuisine: Modern European
L'OrientSituated in a fine old building on one of the most attractive streets in Middlesex, L'Orient comprises five separate and very distinctive dining rooms under one roof.
53 High Street, Pinner, Middlesex - Cuisine: Pan Asian
The Spice Room'A hidden gem,' according to one enthusiastic UK Restaurant Guide reporter, the Spice Room is part of IMADA - a livewire local health and fitness centre, squash club and dance academy (the acronym stands for 'I've Made A Decision Already').
IMADA, Pinner, Middlesex - Cuisine: Indian
The Barn Hotel, Hawtrey's RestaurantOriginally an old farm building set in three acres of grounds within easy reach of the A40 and the M25, the Barn Hotel is now a fully fledged complex incorporating a conference centre, leisure, banqueting and function facilities.
West End Road, Ruislip, Middlesex - Cuisine: Modern French
Brilliant RestaurantBrothers Sanjay and Sanjeev Anand are now widely regarded as the restaurant kings of Southall. When they started here in 1975, their restaurant has space for just 36 people.
72-76 Western Road, Southall, Middlesex - Cuisine: Indian
Madhu'sSister restaurant to The Brilliant in nearby Western Road, Madhu's takes its name from the owners' father. After a fire destroyed the original premises in 2003, it rose again sporting a brand new look and a glossy up-to-the-minute menu.
39 South Road, Southall, Middlesex - Cuisine: Indian
Mehfil Hotel & RestaurantFormerly Hotel Iccon, the trendily designed Mehfil describes itself as 'an inspired fusion of old-world elegance with distinctly contemporary energy and glamour'.
45 The Green, Southall, Middlesex - Cuisine: Indian
Apollonia RestaurantA striking contemporary interior helps to create a mood of calm and relaxation in this long-established restaurant, which has been serving up a lively mix of dishes from around the world for almost 30 years.
25-29 Church Road, Stanmore, Middlesex - Cuisine: Eclectic
Madisons DeliStainless steel fittings, bare floors and plate glass windows give this self-styled' salt beef restaurant an upbeat, almost funky feel.
11 Buckingham Parade, Stanmore, Middlesex - Cuisine: Jewish
Papaji's LoungeOwned by Sikh musician Satwinder Singh, Papaji's Lounge brings a refreshing taste of authentic North Indian cuisine to the outer suburbs of Stanmore.
865 Honeypot Lane, Stanmore, Middlesex - Cuisine: Indian
Five Hot ChilliesA boisterous Indian café serving really authentic no-nonsense food in a setting of orange walls and green Formica tables. As Time Out observed, it can seem more like 'a bustling Indian railway station than a Sudbury café' such is the noise, action and frenetic atmosphere of the place.
875 Harrow Road, Sudbury, Middlesex - Cuisine: Indian
Indian ZestHaving scored a hit with Indian Zing in Hammersmith, high-profile chef Manoj Vasaikar has brought some 'Zest' to Sunbury on Thames with this swish newcomer.
21 Thames Street, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex - Cuisine: Indian
l'auberge at The King's HeadSet in the heart of Teddington, the King's Head combines a very friendly and comfortable neighbourhood hostelry with the splendid l'auberge restaurant, where you can enjoy a cocktail at the bar and simple French food with a bottle of wine or a pint of ale.
123 High Street, Teddington, Middlesex - Cuisine: French
The WharfA stylishly converted boathouse with splendid views overlooking Teddington Lock and the River Thames, the Wharf has a superb covered terrace allowing customers to make the most of the enviable waterside setting.
22 Manor Road, Teddington, Middlesex - Cuisine: Modern European
CharinChilli frog's legs, pigeon and wild boar curry are just three of the unusual items on offer at this relaxed and comfortable Thai restaurant.
3 Church Road, Teddington, Middlesex - Cuisine: Thai
La Petite AubergeLittle sister to l'auberge at the King's Head across the road, La Petite Auberge is an asset to Teddington in its own right.
110 High Street, Teddington, Middlesex - Cuisine: French
Shambles Bar & Restaurant'A great family-run Italian restaurant,' enthused one UK Restaurant Guide reporter about the Shambles. This Grade II-listed building was a butcher's shop before being transformed by Franco and Jackie Langella; their daughter Margherita now manages the place and her brother Massimo heads up the kitchen.
83 High Street, Teddington, Middlesex - Cuisine: Italian
Simply ThaiOriginally opened as a café in nearby Hampton Wick, Patria Weerapan's neighbourhood Thai restaurant has been firmly bedded in Teddington since 2004.
196 Kingston Road, Teddington, Middlesex - Cuisine: Thai
Brula BistrotAt first glance, Brula Bistrot may look slightly ecclesiastical with its stained glass windows, sturdy pews and dark wood fittings, but there's nothing reverential about the happy atmosphere that pervades this much-loved neighbourhood venue.
43 Crown Road, Twickenham, Middlesex - Cuisine: French
A CenaSituated a stone's throw from Richmond Bridge, this smart modern Italian is the very model of a fine neighbourhood restaurant.
418 Richmond Road, Twickenham, Middlesex - Cuisine: Italian
Tiger CubsSince opening, Tiger Cubs has made a big impact in New Denham and beyond, with its blend of exciting contemporary decor, artwork and innovative Indian food.
74 Oxford Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex - Cuisine: Indian
AlisanA multi-storey glass structure opposite the new Wembley Stadium is the prestigious location for Alisan, flagship restaurant of the Aroma group.
Wembley Retail Park, Wembley, Middlesex - Cuisine: Chinese
Arena RestaurantReckoned to be the longest established family-run restaurant in the Wembley area, and the neighbourhood's only authentic Greek venue, Arena was set up by Jimmy and Helen Lagos in 1984.
307 Harrow Road, Wembley, Middlesex - Cuisine: Greek
Water PalaceA beautiful glass wall water feature is one eye-catching feature of this aptly named Chinese restaurant not far from West Drayton.
131 High Street, Yiewsley, Middlesex - Cuisine: Chinese