With 4 days left till Christmas, I’m re-branding 'I can’t be bothered to go shopping for presents' to 'climate activism'. Spoiler alert family: you're all getting satsumas.

We all know the best presents are experiences. More specifically, restaurant experiences. And so this week we’re not giving you a recipe to do, but six restaurants to try.

In many ways this is our ‘Best Restaurants of 2022’ list. But it’s also a list to provide inspo for somewhere to take someone you love / loathe as a present.

This week’s album: 
The O.C. Mix 3 Have A Very Merry Chrismukkah

Each of these six restaurants has been tried and tested by the wider Eat My Words team this past year.

They’re all based in London so apologies for that. However, we’ve helpfully ordered them from lower to higher prices. All are great value for what they offer, but that’s not to say that all will suit your budget. FYI: the bottom four all do gift vouchers.

1. Plimsoll
Location: Finsbury Park
What: pub vibes but not a gastro pub, run by the Four Legs team.
On the menu: comté fritters, pigeon bhuna, chicken parmigiana, oysters, cheeseburgers and more.

2. Ombra
Location: Bethnal Green
What: small Italian restaurant with both local and imported produce.
On the menu: pappardelle al ragu, burrata (obvs), gnocchi fritto with mortadella, tiramisu… In fact, most Eat My Words dishes.

3. Brat x Climpson's Arch
Location: London Fields
What: wood-fired restaurant with an indoor and outdoor section open all year round.
On the menu: whole crab, roasted chicken, wood-fired breads, grilled veg and great fish. Gift voucher here.

4. Angelina
Location: Dalston
What: Japanese and Italian flavours served up in very-good-value tasting menus.
On the menu: milk bread, sea trout, smoked nduja tortilla, duck with truffle potato, torta Caprese with yuzu and more. Gift voucher here.

5. The River Café
Location: River Thames (Hammersmith) 
What: a London institution that’s just celebrated 25 years. Home of the chocolate nemesis.
On the menu: Italian dishes done right, with a side helping of famous celebs at the next-door table. Whole load of gifts available (including gift voucher) here.

6. Frog by Adam Handling 
Location: Covent Garden
What: one Michelin star doing British food inspired by London.
On the menu: tasting menu which comes in at £175 per person. Is it worth it? IMO - yep. Gift voucher here.

Have a great Christmas. If you’re giving someone an Eat My Words cookbook then please record their reaction. No doubt it will be their present of the year.

Normal service resumes next Wednesday.

Fraser