Classic central London restaurants

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Long story short, my mother worked in the film and music industry in the 80s and late 70s, and spent a great amount of time frequenting some restaurants around the Covent Garden, Soho and Fitzrovia area. For her birthday in March, I thought it would be nice to take her to back to one for lunch or dinner.

Rules, Topogigio, L'Escargot, The Ivy, J. Sheekey are some of the places she's mentioned in the past. Any other suggestion for some proper classic central London restaurants? No particular budget or theme to be restricted by really.

[knk]

Le Gavroche

[22s]

Quo Vadis
Wong Kei (!)
Bentleys

[Koyaanisqatsi]

22s said:

Wong Kei (!)

Ahh yes, that's another one she's mentioned before, saying that is was quite common to be moved not just tables but floors whilst halfway through eating, staff arguing at full volume, people being thrown out for requesting a fork.

[troika]

Langan’s

[22s]

Koyaanisqatsi said:

22s said:

Wong Kei (!)

Ahh yes, that's another one she's mentioned before, saying that is was quite common to be moved not just tables but floors whilst halfway through eating, staff arguing at full volume, people being thrown out for requesting a fork.

Sounds about right...! Maybe stick to something a bit more sedate as it's a special occasion

[loafer123]

troika said:

Langan’s

It’s really not the same as it was.

How about Wilton’s on Jermyn Street?

[Louis Balfour]

22s said:

Bentleys

Last time I was shocked at the bill for a really average meal.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

22s said:

Quo Vadis

We've had some lovely times there (not been since Covid). It was a bit smaller downstairs than it used to be.

[okgo]

loafer123 said:

It’s really not the same as it was.

How about Wilton’s on Jermyn Street?

Neither are in the target area tbf.

Simpsons on Strand been there years and I guess kind of near C garden.

[troika]

loafer123 said:

It’s really not the same as it was.

How about Wilton’s on Jermyn Street?

Not been post covid to be honest but used to really enjoy Langan’s. Not been to Wilton’s.

Savoy Grill

[peter tdci]

okgo said:

Neither are in the target area tbf.

Simpsons on Strand been there years and I guess kind of near C garden.

Hasn't Simpsons been closed for a while?

[vaud]

You covered L'Escargot, which is still my favourite for over 20 years.

The Goring hotel is quite old school for dinner, and I think they allow non-residents. It's also great for breakfast (not sure about non-residents)

[Davey S2]

Scotts.

[okgo]

peter tdci said:

Hasn't Simpsons been closed for a while?

Yep seems so!

Scott’s is in Mayfair.

[Davey S2]

okgo said:

peter tdci said:

Hasn't Simpsons been closed for a while?

Yep seems so!

Scott’s is in Mayfair.

I know. He asked for suggestions for central London restaurants.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

All good suggestions to be fair, thanks everyone. Anywhere in central London is walkable or Tubeable, but was just focusing on Soho and Covent Garden location as that was her old stomping ground.. I remember she took my sister and I to L'Escargot when we were younger and I remember it, therefore I think I'm swaying towards taking her back there.

[loafer123]

https://www.thecaterer.com/news/manzis-finally-set...

[okgo]

Davey S2 said:

I know. He asked for suggestions for central London restaurants.

Then proceeded to list the areas he was talking about

Scott’s have sold out with that huge one in Richmond now.

[vaud]

Koyaanisqatsi said:

All good suggestions to be fair, thanks everyone. Anywhere in central London is walkable or Tubeable, but was just focusing on Soho and Covent Garden location as that was her old stomping ground.. I remember she took my sister and I to L'Escargot when we were younger and I remember it, therefore I think I'm swaying towards taking her back there.

I was there last year (I forget when exactly) and it was superb.