Good London Restaurant Tomorrow ?

[TeeRev]

My wife and I are going to an exhibition at Excel tomorrow and we have just decided to stay overnight in town and go to another one at Olympia on Saturday.

Does anyone have any recommendations for or know of a way to find out availability of good to starred restaurants for Friday evening. I just don't have time to make a list and phone restaurants up today and it would be a shame to waste a rare trip to the smoke on a mediocre hotel meal.

Hotels are no problem as there are plenty all over London and once I have a restaurant booked I will find a decent one on booking.com within reasonable distance.

[calibrax]

On a Friday night in London with 1 day's notice? All the high-end restaurants will have been booked long ago. So I'm afraid that if you want somewhere nice, you'll probably have to put in the effort to ring around and pray for a cancellation!

[Chisinau]

I was in London a few days ago and by far my favourite place we ate was Lurra. Quite new, but the food was amazing! Couldn't recommend more!

http://www.lurra.co.uk/

Edit: Just checked the website and they still have tables for two for tomorrow night.

Edited by Chisinau on Thursday 24th September 14:44

[TomOSmith]

That's not entirely true. For example opentable is showing availability at Alyn Williams, Berners Tavern, Brasserie Chavot, The Greenhouse, Hibiscus, Pollen Street Social, Texture, Umu tomorrow night. Those are just in the West End section and what I recall as being starred. You might have to be a little flexible with times, but there are definitely good meals to be had.

[matrignano]

TomOSmith said:

That's not entirely true. For example opentable is showing availability at Alyn Williams, Berners Tavern, Brasserie Chavot, The Greenhouse, Hibiscus, Pollen Street Social, Texture, Umu tomorrow night. Those are just in the West End section and what I recall as being starred. You might have to be a little flexible with times, but there are definitely good meals to be had.

Really enjoyed Alyn Williams.

Yauatcha, Arbutus and Wild Honey are usually easy to get tables at short notice. All 1 Michelin Star and West End area.

[TeeRev]

Thanks for the advice guys, I've just booked to eat at Koffmans Restaurant at the Berkeley in Knightsbridge. I remember reading about his stuffed pigs trotter signature dish when he had La Tante Clare and have always wanted to try it.

The hotel was full but to be honest I probably couldn't have afforded that anyway so I've gone for a great deal on booking.com of £154 B & B for 2 at the Lancaster Gate as it's only for the one night.

Edited by TeeRev on Sunday 27th September 17:57

[TeeRev]

Got back last night just in time to watch the rugby at the pub so have only just got on to the computer to update on this.

Koffmans is a superb restaurant with great food and attentive service, I'm a little surprised that it doesn't have any stars but then Pierre's been there and done that with La Tante Clare so perhaps he's just not bothered.

For starters we had a simple but good Beef Carpacchio and the Calamars Bolognese, thin strips of squid with a delicate and delicious sauce, the bread rolls also deserve a mention, five different types all freshly cooked.

My wife had a lovely halibut dish for her main and I went for the signature dish of Pied de Cochon, pigs trotter stuffed with sweetbreads, morels and chicken mousse, oh my that was so good and it's definitely something I'm going to try and cook sometime.

We went for the Somellier's recommendations for wines throughout and they all matched perfectly.

Desserts were amazing, my wife had the signature Pistachio Soufle with Pistachio Ice Cream, WOW! I had the delicious chocolate mousse and with it a first for me, 30 year old sherry, deep, rich and awesome, I have just got to get some of that.