Opinions are sharply divided on the cooking at Georgetown, a subsidiary of the award-winning Raffles at Kenilworth. The décor is colonial wicker and white, which looks sharp and ethnick-y at the same time. I was intrigued by some of the violently opposite views on some of the other restaurant review sites, and took a friend along to spy.

My friend J is a colleague that I have worked with for over ten years, meeting him just once every year around about Christmas-time. Our Christmas lunch is not only a happy annual ritual but almost a "strangers on the train" counselling session - I see him once a year, we e-mail once a year to arrange the time and place and that is it. I have never met his wife or kids, I do not possess his address or phone number and both he and I know that anything that is said can't really go anywhere. We drink a bit too much, eat far too much and have enjoyed a number of eateries around London. Georgetown was my choice this year - we alternate, mostly - and I was pleasantly surprised. Forgive me for saying this, but sometimes (shame of all shames) I go to a place that I know has had a bit of a hammering and, sorry, join in in the self-satisfyingly glorious denunciation. The one thing that everybody does seem agreed on though is the Singapore Slings they make. This mouth-watering combination of gin, cherry liqueur, Benedictine and grenadine is heavenly, sublime and…extremely potent. The Slings here are fantastic and worth going there for alone. They will even tell you how it's done and J scribbled down the ingredients and method with gusto. But, hey, the food isn't bad either. Starters of chicken and fish were chunky, fragrant and zingy, while our main course of Beef Rendang, hot and deliciously coconut-y. The lunch menu at £12.50 for two courses, £15(?) for three is a bargain for quality food in a relaxing atmosphere. Oi'll give it foive. M