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The Dysart continues to be one of my absolutely favourite restaurants in London. Ingredients are impeccable, the kitchen technique is top notch and things are made the old-fashioned way, with stocks and sauces laboriously reduced rather than being poured out of a bought-in bottle from a company, as seems to be increasingly the case even in multi-starred London venues. The Dysart is the real deal.

A gorgeous Arts and Crafts building houses this warm, homely restaurant on the edge of Richmond Park. There's a natural ethos running throughout the highly seasonal cooking, which is best appreciated with the full tasting menu. Impeccably sourced ingredients and strong classical technique underpin assured, satisfying dishes where the boldly flavoured sauces are a highlight – be it honey and verjus with John Dory or a glossy sake sauce with Creedy Carver Duck. The warm, passionate service leaves no detail overlooked, and there are quarterly classical music recitals too.

The sense of restraint signals an alternative to the louder rhythms of London’s dining scene. Here, the narrative is not crafted from dramatic tableside flourishes, but from the confidence of a kitchen content to let its work be quietly persuasive. There is a thoughtfulness that permeates each element, from the harmonious construction of the courses to the unforced pacing of the meal as a whole. For those with a particular appreciation for nuance, The Dysart Petersham offers a dining experience where every plate is an articulation of both philosophy and craft.