Best Lunch Restaurant in London

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

I'm taking some colleagues to London for a lunch and stay over in May. About 10 years ago we would have gone to Quaglinos etc.

Im looking for recomendations for great food, buzzy atmosphere, good service, west end.

somewhere to stay on afterwards and have a few drinks.

any recomendations?

Ive been asked to look at gordon ramsay at claridges, Le Gavroche, Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley) however I dont want anything too stuffy.

( search function not working)

Thanks

[Heff]

Those are all great, in a classic Michelin kind of way.

Have a look at the Wolesley as well:

http://www.thewolseley.com/

Good atmosphere, great service, reasonably priced.

Dabbous just off Goodge St is supposed to be the place to go at the moment, it just got it's first star, so it's difficult to get a table thought.

I like Pied a Terre, but the atmosphere is a bit stuffy, it's not always easy to kick back in there.

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

Thanks Heff.
Kicking back being the objective.

[RizzoTheRat]

Probably rammed as they were on telly laswt night, but I look the look or Archipelago's lunchtime taster menu
http://www.archipelago-restaurant.co.uk/archipelag...

[BenjiA]

Bob Bob Ricard....excellent service, smallish and fun....they have buttons to push for the champagne trolley. Similar all day menu to the Wolsely but not as grand.

[Murph7355]

Maze? Not been for a bit but really enjoyed it last time I went and the atmosphere was good.

Corrigans if they like to eat plenty?

[andy ted]

I would say for what you are after Dinner by Heston would be a better bet, great food and a less old school restaurant feel, especially compared to the other restaurants in your post.

[Pothole]

Galvin at Windows? Great views....

[Dapster]

Murph7355 said:

Maze? Not been for a bit but really enjoyed it last time I went and the atmosphere was good.

I went last year. You'll need to nip out for a burger before, after and possibly during your meal in order not to pass out with low blood sugar. All for about £100 per head. I'd say avoid.

Why not try a decent ruby? http://www.tamarindrestaurant.com/

Took my wife here for her birthday... http://www.thedorchester.com/china-tang Best. Chinese. Ever. (Although bit of a second mortgage job).

[Elysium]

I would second Corrigans. Very relaxed, but the food is still good.

If you can run to the tasting menu in the kitchen library it makes for a very special lunch.

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

Thansdk Guys, Ive had Petrus proposed this morning by one of the guys . Any feedback on that?

[brissleboy]

Yauatcha in Soho, great dim sum, cocktails, etc. and plenty of drinking establishments for afterwards...

[brissleboy]

By the way, is that building behind the Cerbera a converted church in Redland? Looked at a flat there many years ago...

[andy ted]

Obiwonkeyblokey said:

Thansdk Guys, Ive had Petrus proposed this morning by one of the guys . Any feedback on that?

All the restaurants you have mentioned so far in your OP are formal dining experiences, not laid back. You can get a private dining room at Ramsey's at Claridges which is a bit less stuffy. Marcus Wareing is a small quiet dining room though you could go for the chefs table if you think your guests may like that sort of thing? I would probably recommend the Ledbury as well over the hotel restaurants mentioned in your short list at least.

So... my advice for what its worth, If you want an amazing dining experience then go to La Gavroche for the proper old school experience or the Ledbury for something a bit more modern, if you want excellent food and a less formal location then go to Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental. There is a glass kitchen in the middle which is interesting and they have a lot more covers so it feels a bit more bistro plus the bar at the MO is the best of the hotel bars you have mentioned - though they do charge like a wounded rhino!

I am lucky to have eaten at most of the restaurants mentioned so far and the three I have mentioned would be my choice and probably the only ones I would return to by choice if spending that sort of money ever again.

www.andyhayler.com is a site that I sometimes use to help with any restaurant choices. He seems pretty unbiased and accurate from my limited experience.

Good luck wherever you choose!

Andy

Edited by andy ted on Thursday 11th April 10:57

[TIGA84]

Obiwonkeyblokey said:

Thansdk Guys, Ive had Petrus proposed this morning by one of the guys . Any feedback on that?

Best rated London restaurant, maybe a bit too formal?

http://www.thedelaunay.com/ ?

Sister to the Wolseley.

[Output Flange]

TIGA84 said:

Best rated London restaurant, maybe a bit too formal?

http://www.thedelaunay.com/ ?

Sister to the Wolseley.

The OH went the other week and had a poor experience - the food was fine, but the waiting staff were rude and obnoxious, to the point where they flat refused to pay for anything other than drinks. They'd also needed three attempts at cooking a bit of lamb, apparently.

[Heff]

TIGA84 said:

Best rated London restaurant, maybe a bit too formal?

http://www.thedelaunay.com/ ?

Sister to the Wolseley.

Really, really not that formal. Very relaxed

[Tumbler]

If you'd consider Sushi, then Zuma has a great atmosphere at lunch time.



http://www.zumarestaurant.com/zuma-landing/london/...

Edited by Tumbler on Thursday 11th April 14:09

[CraigVmax]

Zuma
Dinner by Heston
Hakkassan
Marcus Waring at the Berkeley
burger and lobster for cheap and fun

[Mr Kitten]

Check out Arbutus on Frith Street - very good value for Michelin star food.