Restaurant needed in London for a big group

[arun1uk]

Hi everyone, was hoping for some help...

I'm arranging a get together in London for a group of 14, but haven't got a clue where to start. There are so many places, I was hoping to target some recommended places first. Not after anything too fancy, just a nice restaurant (anything but Indian, Chinese, Thai) that's not too expensive and able to cater for a big group.

Anyone got any recommendations?

Cheers

[Zod]

Is your name Dr Allen Bradley?





http://eastcliffrichard.blogspot.com/2009/10/watch...

[Big E 118]

arun1uk said:

Hi everyone, was hoping for some help...

I'm arranging a get together in London for a group of 14, but haven't got a clue where to start. There are so many places, I was hoping to target some recommended places first. Not after anything too fancy, just a nice restaurant (anything but Indian, Chinese, Thai) that's not too expensive and able to cater for a big group.

Anyone got any recommendations?

Cheers

Have had a couple of get togethers at Joe Allen on Exeter St www.joeallen.co.uk . Food is fairly generic US/UK style, certainly not flashy but there's usually a good atmosphere and service is excellent. The kind of place that's good for a big group.

[arun1uk]

Errrr no, but that looks like a stupid scam.

It's for a surprise birthday gathering, if you can't help, don't post...

Thanks

[Zod]

arun1uk said:

Errrr no, but that looks like a stupid scam.

It's for a surprise birthday gathering, if you can't help, don't post...

Thanks

If you want a helpful response, give more detail.

I'm sure you don't mean to be rude, but your tone in that response comes across as rude.

I could give you quite a few recommendations.

[arun1uk]

Zod said:

arun1uk said:

Errrr no, but that looks like a stupid scam.

It's for a surprise birthday gathering, if you can't help, don't post...

Thanks

If you want a helpful response, give more detail.

I'm sure you don't mean to be rude, but your tone in that response comes across as rude.

I could give you quite a few recommendations.

I thought your response came across quite rude, actually. Why did you automatically assume it was a hoax? Was it the cynic in you, or was it supposed to be sarcastic? If so, sarcasm doesn't transmit well over the Internet....hence my response.

As mentioned, it's for a surprise Birthday dinner:
- Preferably Italian (not Thai, Indian, Chinese).
- Will be for a group of 15-16 people,
- Preferably in the centre of London, around Holborn area
- Don't want anywhere too expensive, too loud or too touristy.
- I'm looking for somewhere with a good atmosphere, intimate, and a bit different.
- Don't want the usual suspects (Prezzo, Cafe Uno, Carluccios, etc)
- Have booked this as a backup, but waiting to see what's out there http://www.villandry.com/

[Todzilla]

It's not as central as Holborn, but it's only a few stops away...

http://www.pizzaeast.com/

It's in the building I work in. Been quite a few times and it's pretty nice.

[Zod]

arun1uk said:

Zod said:

arun1uk said:

Errrr no, but that looks like a stupid scam.

It's for a surprise birthday gathering, if you can't help, don't post...

Thanks

If you want a helpful response, give more detail.

I'm sure you don't mean to be rude, but your tone in that response comes across as rude.

I could give you quite a few recommendations.

I thought your response came across quite rude, actually. Why did you automatically assume it was a hoax? Was it the cynic in you, or was it supposed to be sarcastic? If so, sarcasm doesn't transmit well over the Internet....hence my response.

As mentioned, it's for a surprise Birthday dinner:
- Preferably Italian (not Thai, Indian, Chinese).
- Will be for a group of 15-16 people,
- Preferably in the centre of London, around Holborn area
- Don't want anywhere too expensive, too loud or too touristy.
- I'm looking for somewhere with a good atmosphere, intimate, and a bit different.
- Don't want the usual suspects (Prezzo, Cafe Uno, Carluccios, etc)
- Have booked this as a backup, but waiting to see what's out there http://www.villandry.com/

I was joking!

Private rooms I have used in the last twelve months:

Maze, Mews, Quo Vadis. All pretty good. Mews can do menus from £50 per head. Don't know whether that's within budget.

[arun1uk]

Thanks. I'm looking at about £1800 all in, including drinks so they sound reasonable.
Appreciate the advice...

[paultownsend]

Pearl @ Chancery Court?

[Zod]

paultownsend said:

Pearl @ Chancery Court?

good suggestion. Bit pricey?

[paultownsend]

4 of us went last weekend. 3 courses @ £51. wine each @ £40, and a £10 tip.
not bad at all. the bar is a beauty.
we also had 3 nights in chancery, but being a marriott employee, we had a very tasty rate.

the food at pearl is fantastic. my first experience of a proper restaurant. still ended up at mcdonalds over the road for a quarter pounder at 2pm. oh yes, and some fantastic battlecruisers in the area too. the ship around the corner and a sammy smiths just over the road. perfect for the man occasion id say.

Edited by paultownsend on Tuesday 28th September 11:58

[BarnatosGhost]

May be miles from what you're after but have a look at the Golden Union on Poland Street. Superb.

[thainy77]

Big E 118 said:

Have had a couple of get togethers at Joe Allen on Exeter St www.joeallen.co.uk . Food is fairly generic US/UK style, certainly not flashy but there's usually a good atmosphere and service is excellent. The kind of place that's good for a big group.

Agree with this, nice relaxed place and not too expensive.

[Slaav]

for a group that large, what about a private room?

Or do you want a restaurant with tons of atmosphere? Or quite and discreet?

Unfrotunately, there are many options around or near Holborn.

Not sure Villandry would work for that many as you will most likely end up on one long table?

Or is that OK?

[LilCat]

How about Smiths of Smithfields?

Link

[arun1uk]

Slaav said:

for a group that large, what about a private room?

Or do you want a restaurant with tons of atmosphere? Or quite and discreet?

Unfrotunately, there are many options around or near Holborn.

Not sure Villandry would work for that many as you will most likely end up on one long table?

Or is that OK?

Hmm, good suggestion as Zod mentioned a few private rooms as well, I will look into it. 1 long table will be, shouldnt be a problem as we're heading to a bar afterwards so will have a chance to further mingle there...