Cool restuarant in London for 7 year old boy

[Landlord]

It’s my eldest son’s 7th birthday this Friday and Landlady is talking about bringing both our boys (the other is 5) up to London to meet me after work. I’m after suggestions of “cool” places to go for some food. We’ve done the Rainforest Café but is there anywhere else that would be cool for a 7 year old and a 5 year old boy? Somewhere that will live up to the hype, not just somewhere that has a couple of pictures up on the wall and “whacky” waiting staff!

Any suggestions gratefully received!

[Zod]

The Wolseley. I took my seven year old boy there a couple of months ago. We both dressed in blue jackets and white shirts to make him feel special and a bit grown-up. The staff were fantastic. The doorman greeted him like a grown-up, asking him, "How are you today, Sir" and that continued inside with the Maitre d' and the waiters. I hadn't warmed them up and they didn't know my guest was a seven year old boy; it just came naturally to them.

The food is seven-year-old-friendly. He thought the mini baguettes were "the best bread ever" and pronounced his lemon meringue sundae, "the best thing I've ever tasted".

[Pferdestarke]

Excellent. And fair play to the staff for taking the initiative with him!

[Mr Will]

Not a specific recommendation but any Sushi bar with a conveyor belt should score pretty high on the "cool" rating

[Zod]

Mr Will said:

Not a specific recommendation but any Sushi bar with a conveyor belt should score pretty high on the "cool" rating

Maybe you have a more sophisticated seven year old than me, but sushi is a brave choice of food for a child.

[Dunk130TC]

Maze grill have been brilliant with my two. Managed to get them a kitchen tour and they even let go and see their puds made and plated up.

[Pixel Pusher]

Hard Rock Cafe or Planet Hollywood?

[Puggit]

Zod said:

Mr Will said:

Not a specific recommendation but any Sushi bar with a conveyor belt should score pretty high on the "cool" rating

Maybe you have a more sophisticated seven year old than me, but sushi is a brave choice of food for a child.

My 7 year old's favourite food. He's loved it since 4

[z4chris99]

Pixel Pusher said:

Hard Rock Cafe or Planet Hollywood?

I loved HRC burgers when I was young.. good shout

Hickory BBQ Bacon cheeseburger .... yummy

[croyde]

Rain Forest Cafe in Shaftesbury Ave. Food is pretty bland Tex Mex but kids love it.

http://www.therainforestcafe.co.uk/

[Landlord]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. We're after "fun" rather than quality (plus the Wolsey only has a table on or after 22:30 this Friday - a little too late for my two boys!).

We've done the Rainforest Cafe before and were a bit underwhelmed to be honest, but it's the type of thing I'm after. We did HRC too which was nice but we fancy something a bit different.

[fizz47]

Not sure what your budget is but one option would be afternoon tea- while it sounds a bit dull whenever I have been with kids or in fact seen other kids at these places they have loved it...


Personally I have really liked the afternoon tea at the Dorchester however the Hilton Park Lane also do a Chocolate afternoon tea so might be something suitable...

[ibisti]

Apart from the Hard Rock and Planet Hollywood you could add Sticky fingers to your list on High st Kensington. Also Bodeans for BBQ fare that most children like. If He is a bit adventurous then how about Benihana in swiss cottage for tabletop cooking. My two (9 and 4) love it for the fun and interaction with the chefs. Another vote for Yo sushi type places with moving conveyors with food, its not all raw fish!
Ive not been, but this place looks pretty good fhttp://www.allstarlanes.co.uk/venues/brick-lane/un I think I might take mine there some time soon

[Landlord]

fizz47 said:

Not sure what your budget is but one option would be afternoon tea- while it sounds a bit dull whenever I have been with kids or in fact seen other kids at these places they have loved it...


Personally I have really liked the afternoon tea at the Dorchester however the Hilton Park Lane also do a Chocolate afternoon tea so might be something suitable...

Unfortunately it has to be evening as I'm at work during the day.

[Landlord]

ibisti said:

Apart from the Hard Rock and Planet Hollywood you could add Sticky fingers to your list on High st Kensington. Also Bodeans for BBQ fare that most children like. If He is a bit adventurous then how about Benihana in swiss cottage for tabletop cooking. My two (9 and 4) love it for the fun and interaction with the chefs. Another vote for Yo sushi type places with moving conveyors with food, its not all raw fish!
Ive not been, but this place looks pretty good fhttp://www.allstarlanes.co.uk/venues/brick-lane/un I think I might take mine there some time soon

Great suggestions, thanks. All Star Lanes looks perfect but it seems under 18s can only use the lanes up until 6pm but we'll want to bowl after that. Shame as it looks ideal.

7 year old is pretty adventurous but his 5 year old brother isn't(!) which limits us somewhat.

I'll take a look at Sticky Fingers too.

Cheers all. Still open to other ideas

[Mobile Chicane]

A great treat when I was a young 'un was to go with my father to The Brass Rail at Selfridges for a salt beef sandwich.

I'm sure I was 5 or 6 the first time - not the sort of thing you'd imagine a small child would eat - but it instilled a life-long love of salt beef.

[Landlord]

Mobile Chicane said:

but it instilled a life-long love of salt beef.

You filthy minx.

But seriously, thanks for the suggestion.

[IN51GHT]

Our kids love the Rainforest Cafe.

[Puggit]

Mongolian BBQ? They can choose their own foods then! Used to be one near Covent Garden

[Matt80M]

If the boy likes mussels you could go to Belgo's. That's fun - also things like rotisserie chicken and sausages if not.

http://www.belgo-restaurants.co.uk/