Lively, reasonably priced resturant in central London

[porkanut]

Hi folks

any recommendations for a restaurant in central London with a lively atmos
but reasonably priced , serves decent food & good service?

Organising a night out with a group of friends & their better halves, we are going onto Ronnie Scotts afterwads so would like some where with a decent buzz & centrally located & not too formal.

Cusine wise ideally serving biritsh , international, italian or North American.
No indian, chinese middle, eastern food etc as there are some fussy eaters amongst us. Trying to avoid any of the chains as they are pretty poor

Dont get into London much, the only place I could think of was Indigo at One Aldwych, however maybe a little subdued. I see Quaglino's are offering fixed priced menus but the reviews are mixed on food & service?

Many thanks
PN
ps apologies in advance for typos & spelling

[anonymous-user]

Zillis or Zilli Fish? Both great, both just round the corner from Ronnie Scotts in Soho, good atmosphere typically.... and plenty of pubs around in that area for before/after...

[Mobile Chicane]

Good call on Zilli's / Zilli Fish.

I'd also consider Kettner's or Joe Allen's.

[Todzilla]

Something a little left field might be Wahaca on Wardour St... unless Top Gear has put you off Mexican for life.

[H_Kan]

Mobile Chicane said:

Good call on Zilli's / Zilli Fish.

I'd also consider Kettner's or Joe Allen's.

Kettners puddings are very nice, but didn't rate the food when I went.

Wahaca is seriously tasty but may be a little too lively? Also, iirc they don't take bookings, which may be problematic if you need to be somewhere by a set time.

Cote is quite nice on Wardour Street though usually quite busy. Barrafina is meant to be good, though I've not been- tapas means that most people will be catered for.

[Hoover.]

Mobile Chicane said:

Good call on Zilli's / Zilli Fish..

i walk past there nearly everyday on Brewer St going to and from the carpark..... must pop in and try it oneday.

[anonymous-user]

And you will often see Aldo in one or the other - great service, not pretentious at all, but very good food!

[anonymous-user]

Hoover. said:

i walk past there nearly everyday on Brewer St going to and from the carpark..... must pop in and try it oneday.

And there are typically some very nice cars in there - bloody pricey though!

[carreauchompeur]

Wong Kei on Wardour Street, it's certainly an experience and the food is great.

[porkanut]

thanks all will check those out
sorry for delay broadband went kaput due to gale force storms

cheers
PN

[Thankyou4calling]

carreauchompeur said:

Wong Kei on Wardour Street, it's certainly an experience and the food is great.

I love the Wong Kei. Service is top notch especially the way they throw the menu at you and tell you to F. Off as you go. Great value food though.

[Slaav]

How many people?

I guess walking distance from Ronnie Scotts would be good so that does limit you slightly.

Don't go anywhere near Wong Kei's in Wardour St(?) bloody awful but great fun. Used to frequent it until we saw the rats and mice scurrying around down stairs

Bl00dy funny and well worth a trip - but not if you have organised the trip for a bunch of friends.

Also, forget Wahaca pronto as you wont be seated together and no chance of sitting down at the same time with any certainty.

Bit of a hike but what about COvent Garden? Opera Terrace;

http://www.chezgerard.co.uk/location/covent-garden

And although another walk(?) what about one of my favourites in Mayfair, El Pirata? (DOwn St) always lively and great value - but good food...

http://www.elpirata.co.uk/

I would personally suggest something like Kettners (as above) would be ideal - although limitations on the food but would be seated together and can book. Very convenient for RS's as well.

Remind me what day you are going in? (Sorry if already mentioned)

Will have a think and come back with some more.

[5potTurbo]

I went to Belgo Central just before Christmas with some mates ... a bit like 'coals to Newcastle' for me given where I live, but the food and beer was good, and the restaurant was lively too.