Strand, WC2. Tel: 020 7836 4343

Somerset House, Strand, WC2 Tel; 020 7845 4646. Combining a riverside setting with modern French fare and top-quality ingredients, it’s no wonder The Admiralty, above, has won a firm fan base, Go a la carte at Christmas and enjoy four orfive courses (£3B/£47pp), including salmon

1889, Starting with champagne and canapes in the Thames Foyer, enjoy a traditional roast Norfolk turkey with chestnut stuffing, chi polatas and vegetables followed by flamed Christmas pudding, mince pies, yule log and Christmas cake. (£22opp, including selected fine wines and di

3 Cromwell Rd, SW7 Tel: 020 7584 7258. For a more intimate affair, head to South Kensington's Firehouse to taste the creme de la creme of French cuisine at a fraction of the usual London prices. Flead Chef Daniel Crowe focuses on classical cuisine with modern and seasonal influe

trapeze artists & a breathtaking bungee-jumping ballet of a finale that makes upforthe annoying, accompanying rock band &the self-consciously punky carnival atmosphere. Opens Jan 7. Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 (020 75898212). THE TALKING CURE Ralph Fiennes returns to the s

as Captain Hook and Bonny Langford as the boy who never grew up, 12 Dec-19 Jan. Richmond Theatre, The Green, Richmond (020 8940 0088). A CHRISTMAS CAROL Tim Piggott-Smith stars as Scrooge, the meanest man in London, whose life istransformed in Neil Bartlett's adaptation of the D

Great Russe// St, WCI (020 73238000). Albrecht Diirer & his Legacy Prints, drawings & rare watercolours by Durer, with an analysis of the German renaissance artist's extraordinary achievements & his influenceon laterartists. Dec - Mar 23. Daily 10am-5.30pm (Thurs & Fri until 8.3

Mill bank, SWI (020 78878008). Gainsborough Among the grand landscapes &glamorous full-length portraits of 18th-century aristocrats by Gainsborough, one of Britain's greatest painters, are works by artists who inspired him. Until Jan 19. Daily 10am-5.40pm. Closed Dec 24-26.

Cromwellßd, SW7 (020 79422000). Versace at the V&A This major retrospective devoted to the great fashion designer includes creations worn by the Princess of Wales, Elton John, Madonna, Courtney Love & Elizabeth Hurley. Until Jan 12. Daily 10am-5.45pm (Wed until 10pm). Closed Dec