NORTH LONDON MAP
UTartuf, 88 Upper St. (7288 0954). Tube: Angel. Have a fantastic cutlery-free experience with an Alsatian tarte flambGe (£5-6), a cross between a crepe and a pizza, only much tastier. Before 3pm get 1 savory and 1 sweet tarte for £7. All-you-can-eat £12. Open M-Th 6-1 lpm, Sa noon-midnight, Su noon-llpm. MCV.
Bi Gallipoli, 102 Upper St. and Gallipoli Again, 120 Upper St. (7359 0630). Tube: Angel. Tiled walls and hanging lamps complement Turkish delights like Iskender Kebap: Grilled lamb with yogurt and marinated pita bread (£6). Make reservations F-Sa. Open M-Th 10:30am-llpm, F-Sa 10:30am-midnight, Su 10:30am-llpm. MCV.
Le Creperie de Hampstead, 77 Hampstead High St. Tube: Hampstead. Watch as delicate crepes like Mushroom Garlic Cream (£3) and Banana Butterscotch Cream Dream (£2.60) are prepared before your eyes. 40p extra gets you gooey Belgian chocolate instead of syrup. Open M-Th ll:45am-llpm, F-Su ll:45am-ll:30pm. Cash only. O
CarmeiBakery, 128 Golders Green Rd. (8455 2074). Tube: Golders Green. The golden, egg-glazed challah (£1.30-1.90) is considered the best in London; the bagels and sinfully good pastries (£1.50) aren’t far behind. Packed F afternoons. Hours vary, but usually open daily 6am-lam, Th and Sa open 24hr.
Mango Room, 10-12 Kentish Rd. (7482 5065). Tube: Camden Town. Small Caribbean menu uses plenty of mango, avocado, and coconut and has an array of potent tropical drinks. Entrees £9-21. Reserve for weekends. Open M 6pm-midnight, Tu-Sa noon-3pm and 6pm-midnight, Su noon-llpm. MCV.
Le Mercury, 140a Upper St. (7354 4088). This sunny little comer restaurant offers delicious and delightfully presented French food. Entrees from £6. Reservations recommended for evenings. Open daily noon-12:30am. MCV.
Giraffe, 46 Rosslyn Hill ( 7435 0343). With a menu as deliberately international as the world music they play, Giraffe orients itself toward young citizens of the world. Entrees £7-10. M-F 5-7pm get 2 courses for £7 (7-llpm, £9) and 2-for-l drinks. Family-friendly. Open M-F 8am-ll:30pm, Sa 9am-ll:30pm, Su 9am-llpm. AmExMCV.
Ai Casbah, 42 Hampstead High St. ( 7431 6356). The Moroccan chef cooks up an array of tajine meat casseroles (£15-16) and couscous dishes (£14.50-17.50) large enough for two. Open daily lOam-llpm. MCV.
Galangai Thai Canteen, 29-31 Parkway (n- 7485 9930). Simple and sleek with a spicy edge, this Thai restaurant certainly does not look anything like a canteen. Pad thai £5.20. Entrees like deep-fried tilapia fish run from £5-7. Open M-F noon-3pm and 6-llpm, Sa l:30-ll:30pm, Su 1-lOpm. MCV.
Marine Ices, 8 Haverstock Hill (7482 9003). Tube: Chalk Farm. The Mansi family supplies superb gelati to 1500 restaurants. Get it at the source for £1.50 for a single scoop. Open M-Sa 10:30am-llpm, Su llam-lOpm. MCV.
