Beat the winter blues at Pescatori

January typically spells the start of the ‘winter blues’, with Blue Monday, thought to be the most depressive day of the year, officially falling on the 21st. Yet nutritionists agree that eating mood-enhancing foods can considerably help to lift the spirits, and what better choice than a fish menu this month, which is not only light in calories, but also packed with mood-enhancing omega-3 ingredients.

And if you are watching your pocket, not just your waistline, from now until the end of February, Pescatori restaurants in Fitzrovia and Mayfair have two unbeatable menus, each offering a different selection.

The newly refurbished Pescatori at 57 Charlotte Street, in the buzzing media hub of Fitzrovia, offers a two-course menu for £17.95 including a glass of Prosecco. Char-grilled Cornish sardines with lemon, Roma tomatoes and salsa verde are not only light and very tasty, but also high in omega-3 oils. Try a main of Fillet of sea bream with aubergine caponata & aged balsamic, full of colour and taste, or if you prefer a light meat dish, go for the Free-range chicken breast with wild mushroom, cavolo nero and a light Marsala sauce.

Mayfair’s Pescatori at 11 Dover Street, offers two courses for £19.95 or three for £22.95, from a menu which includes an excellent choice of starters, mains and desserts, such as the Roast iron bark pumpkin soup with prawn dumplings & sage oil, a sheer delight for all the senses, a slightly heartier Spaghetti vongole, garlic, chilli and bottarga, and a delicious Pan-roasted Icelandic cod, crab lentils and red pepper sauce.

Researchers have discovered that dark chocolate contains two mood-enhancing chemicals (*) therefore give in to a little temptation with a not-so-classic but utterly delightful Tiramisu or the Dark chocolate tart with mandarin compote for a January treat.

The menus are available lunch and dinner, Monday to Saturday, excluding 14 February.