Top Fives: Wood-fired eateries

There's nothing like the evocative scent of food roasting over a wood fire to get the juices going - it must be something to do with our primaeval, cave-dwelling past. Where's my club?

1. River Cafè

What started out as a canteen for Richard Rogers's architects practice has become legendary for the quality of its ingredients, its glorious interpretation of regional Italian dishes and its astronomical prices. The restaurant that made wood fires truly sexy.
Thames Wharf, Rainville Road W6. Tel: 020 7386 4200. Tube: Hammersmith

2. Bush Bar & Grill

Gives the impression of being effortlessly fashionable - just the right quantity of design mixed with insouciant, dressed-down attitude. A bistro-ish menu, with plenty of wood-fired choices, is similarly confident and assured.
45a Goldhawk Road W12. Tel: 020 8746 2111. Tube: Goldhawk Road

3. Bluebird

Conran's undeniably impressive makeover of the old Bluebird garage has bags of style - even if diners run the risk of feeling processed rather than cosseted. Sound, modern European menu, much of it from the wood-fired oven.
350 Kings Road SW3. Tel: 020 7559 1000. Tube: Sloane Square

4. Basilico

The capital's best pizza takeaway and home delivery, a tiny chain offering choices scented with wood smoke and with intelligently sourced ingredients as toppings. Never mind your ham and pineapple, think prosciutto, asparagus, truffle oil, buffalo mozzarella...
For locations and menu, visit www.basilico.co.uk

5. Strada

Another chain - from the Belgo Group - but a really useful, reasonably priced set of locals for when you want pleasant food in congenial surroundings. Everything from salads and polenta to sirloin steaks from the wood grill are competently executed.
For locations and menu, visit www.strada.co.uk