SWEET TALKING

The Rapscallion

75 Venn St, London SW4 (0171-787 6555)

They do something with chocolate hazelnut parcels and thick, cold cream that makes the eyes water.

City Rhodes

New St Square, London EC4 (0171-583 1313)

Gary's latest book is dedicated to desserts, and with reason. The bread-and-butter pud here is perfection.

Patisserie Valerie

44 Old Compton St, London W1 (0171-437 3466)

Safety in numbers: the cakes, petits fours and puds are so plentiful you'll forget about the savouries.

Iran the Restaurant

59 Edgware Rd, London W2 (0171-723 1344)

Persian cuisine is out of this world anyway, and the puds are divine: extra-sweet, syrupy and rosewatery. The dessert-lover's dessert.

Lindsay House

21 Romilly St, London W1 (0171-439 0450)

Soho townhouse where the service is amiable, the food twists British cuisine till it squeaks, and the puds invariably score a 10.

SM