Thai barbecues in Battersea?

The absolutely beautiful, but previously very pricey Lan Na Thai has launched an accessibly priced lunch menu, the Taratip, at £12.50. You choose a meat, fish or vegetarian-based meal and three courses are brought to you on a tray (doubtless gorgeous, like all the artefacts in this Battersea Thai bar and restaurant). If the sun ever deigns to put in an appearance, they're also going to feature Thai barbecues, with dishes from £13.50. The deck on to the river has to be one of the most appealing places to eat in the capital this summer - if you can tolerate the noise from the next door heliport.

Lan Na Thai
Groveside Court, 2 Lombard Road SW11
Tel: 020 7924 6090.
Tube: Sloane Square

One of life's great frustrations for the foodie is the impenetrable Chinese-only menu sections in many of London's more authentic Chinese restaurants. In response to pleas from his avid customers, Mark Chan, owner of the critically acclaimed new Shanghai restaurant ECapital (formerly Capital), has translated everything on his menu, adding an astonishing 60 new choices. It now gives us the opportunity to experiment with the likes of shark's fin and abalone in supreme stock, pork in the poet's style and fish in wine lees. At the risk of sounding oo-er missus, the Shanghai steamed little juicy buns are unmissable. He's also doubled his already intriguing white wine list to include such treasures as a mid-range Saint Aubin and a luxurious Montrachet Premier Cru.

ECapital
8 Gerrard Street W1.
Tel: 020 7434 3838.
Tube: Leicester Square.