The best way to describe Giraffe is well, international. The restaurant plays an assortment of world music, and depending on the restaurant you go to, you might end up sitting on a long cafeteria-style bench.

But whether you're comfortable on a bench or not, the food is some of the best I've had in London. It's just good, international cuisine. The salmon is good, the noodles are good—everything the restaurant cooks just tastes delicious and healthy. And for London, that's definitely a rarity. The portions are a decent size, and the prices (for London) are good for a full-service restaurant. The desserts are also delicious, and I loved getting the hot chocolate with marshmallows on a cold winter day.

Giraffe offers specials if you get there before 7pm, and these specials are amazing—two courses for something like 7 pounds. And they've also run a special which involved paying at whatever time you ate—if you ate at 5pm, you'd only pay £5!

Giraffe is also very kid-friendly with healthy choices for the little ones.

Giraffe has locations near Islington and Baker Street among all of its London locations.

It’s still suffering slightly from poor organisation and often indifferent service while the new restaurant gets up to speed, but don't let that stop you from enjoying the fantastic quality food and brilliant riverside atmosphere in the rapidly rejuvenating South Bank. It's really very comfortable and quite spacious, although the demand for seats regularly outstrips the available spaces. Booking on a weekend is essential to avoid a huge wait or disappointment.

Jerk-spiced chicken skewers and crisp-fried tiger prawns set the scene, each accompanied by brilliant sauces, and the former in particular is surprisingly tender. The Thai green chicken and squash curry was presented a bit too soup-like for my liking, but the flavours were lovely. The lamb burger was easily an equal to any other burger in London, but wait for the desserts! White chocolate and Toblerone cheesecake anyone? The Hawaiian tropical fruit sundae's photo just speaks for itself, as I'm sure you'll agree. The wine list just caps the whole thing off.

It'll be much better than it is now. It's a bit too pricey, but it fills a niche long needed on the South Bank, and if you go off-peak, you'll sneak in a lovely little surprise. The staff is just stressed, but for the most part, it'll all settle down.