Cost: £8.50
26 St. John Street, Smithfield, EC1M 4AY; .Portuguese Custard Tart: Taberna do Mercado
Chef Nuno Mendes recalls his childhood in Portugal, when his grandmother would take him to cafes and order pasteis de nata that were so soft and runny, he would eat them with a spoon. The buttery pastry contains a touch of pork fat, and the tarts are cooked at a high temperature so they are almost burnt, with a near-liquid center.
Cost: £2.50
Old Spitalfields Market, Spitalfields, 107b Commercial Street, E1 6BG. Tipsy Cake: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
To many, this is the pinnacle of London puddings. The brioche is remarkably light and fluffy in view of the cream and brandy with which it is loaded. It's served with Costa Rican pineapple that has been spit-roasted for three to four hours. The caramelized fruit is sharp and sweet while the brioche is soft and buttery. The combination is like a hot cocktail on your plate.
Cost: £14.50
Mandarin Hotel, 66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA; .Soufflé aux Pistaches et sa Glace: Koffmann's
Pierre Koffmann's pistachio soufflé with pistachio ice cream has been on the chef's menu since 1977, when he opened La Tante Claire, which went on to win three Michelin stars. Pistachio was Koffmann's favorite childhood flavor and this creation has, over almost 40 years, become London's most revered dessert.
Cost: £15