Imagine dining al fresco on the eighth floor of one of London’s most iconic buildings, with the river flowing beneath you and the skyline dazzling ahead of you…this is not just any restaurant this is the Oxo Tower Restaurant. Be credit crunch savvy and opt for the brasserie arm where you’re still privy to the breathtaking backdrop and amorous ambiance, but avoid the sky high prices… With an open kitchen and space age metallic tables, there’s a slight school canteen edge to the place but this is offset by the indulgent wine list and discrete dexterity of the waiters in keeping your wine glass permanently topped up. Finish off the night with a cocktail under the stars on the New York style rooftop terrace (they even provide blankets so your girlfriend won’t whinge about the cold) and let the jumpin’ jazz music strike all the right chords…

Price: c£30pp (Lunch- 2 courses for £21.50) Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, South Bank, SE1 9PH. Tel: 020 7803 3888