Fine dining in London

[PandaEyes]

It's the OH 30th in November and looking to book a top notch restaurant to celebrate.

Looking at La Gavroche but wanted some other suggestions. Looking to push the boat out so don't have a budget as such but don't want to part with the hard earned unless it's highly rated.

Over to you fellow PHers

[Bullett]

Gavroche is highly rated. You will need to be booking asap for the top places 3 months is about typical.

The Ledbury is no1 about now but very hard to get in as is Hestons Dinner. (not tried these 2)
Clos Maggiore is brilliant (get the conservatory) and I also enjoyed Murano.
Gordon Ramsay at Royal Hospital Road can't be ignored, forget his TV life he got there because he can cook and do service.

That lot should keep you busy...

[PandaEyes]

Thanks Bullett

Emailed La Gavroche this morning as it's 3 months to the day of her b'day but also looking at other options so will check them out.

[TonyHetherington]

Heston's Dinner was excellent - I had lunch there last year for my birthday. (We also went to the Fat Duck last year, and while that was amazing, it's Dinner that I'd go back to.)

[PandaEyes]

Got a man love for Heston after meeting him at a football match so will look in to Dinner.

Fat Duck is somewhere I'd love to go but the missus knows this and would feel I'm hijacking her birthday. Plus she wants to go to the theatre so London it is.

[Cheib]

I really like Locanda Locatelli and also like Scott's....I would descrive either as a "foodie" experience but I really like both resaurants.

[wormburner]

TonyHetherington said:

Heston's Dinner was excellent - I had lunch there last year for my birthday. (We also went to the Fat Duck last year, and while that was amazing, it's Dinner that I'd go back to.)

I'd second that. Dinner was a real treat. Informal ambience but very serious food, and a great room/atmosphere.

[TonyHetherington]

Not least, becasue the cost was very reasonable indeed. It was about £125 for the two of us, which I thought was very good.

[Bullett]

I want to do Dinner but the wife isn't interested. We've already been to the Fat Duck.

[wormburner]

TonyHetherington said:

Not least, becasue the cost was very reasonable indeed. It was about £125 for the two of us, which I thought was very good.

Yes, about the same for us, 3 courses for two people for dinner.

The previous day (this was my birthday treat) our lunch at Gordon Ramsay Royal Hospital Road cost well over £200, and wasn't anywhere near as enjoyable as an overall experience.

[TonyHetherington]

Bullett said:

I want to do Dinner but the wife isn't interested. We've already been to the Fat Duck.

Take me, it's fine

[wormburner]

TonyHetherington said:

Bullett said:

I want to do Dinner but the wife isn't interested. We've already been to the Fat Duck.

Take me, it's fine

And me. You don't have to buy me anything either, just let me have a little taste of everyone else's, and I'll nip to the chippy on the way home.

[sleep envy]

Of everything mentioned on this thread so far The Ledbury, for me, knocks the spots off all of them but I'd be more than happy to go back to Locanda Locatelli.

[PandaEyes]

The Ledbury is looking the favourite at the moment. Whilst the wife isn't that fussy I don't think she'll fancy a lot of the ingredients that Heston uses (looking at the sample menus) Personally I'll try anything but need to cater for her this time!!

Can't books the Ledbury yet for the day I want so will try again tomorrow.

Thanks for all the suggestions, hopefully they'll contribute to me gaining serious brownie points.

[Soovy]

Petrus

[ls3steve]

Galvin La Chapelle would be a good shout too. amazing looking venue too

[sleep envy]

Yep, that's good too.

[Gargamel]

L'Oranger in St James - remains my favourite.

Someone mention Clos Maggiore in Covent Garden - an excellent resturant but probably a little 2nd division in terms of celebrity chefs. (but very very romantic)

[Eversleigh]

Corrigan's Mayfair is a firm favorite (http://www.corrigansmayfair.co.uk/) always superb food/service/atmosphere.

[Wadeski]

If there are a group of you (ideally 6-8 people) then the chefs table at The Berkeley is amazing. Marcus Wareing doing his thing, and the table is in an annex of the kitchen, not the restaurant. The sous-chefs present each course, the sommeliers match with wines.