Lunch in London - recommendations please

[FastLaneGirl]

Never thought I'd have to ask this, given that I grew up in London!

OH & I are heading to London this coming Friday, rough aim is to visit the Natural History & Science Museums and then go to Portobello. We'd like to have a swanky lunch while we're there & I'm totally out of touch with good restaurants in the city now. OH has fairly simple tastes, but I'm educating him, so would like somewhere that really does excellent food.

Does anyone have any recommendations please, especially anything localish to where we're going?

(Mods: would you mind leaving this topic in P&P so I get a wider response if possible, thank you )

[Mobile Chicane]

Not strictly local, but try Zafferano in Lowndes Square, Belgravia. Easily the best Italian in London, imho.

ETA: I had guinea fowl with truffle-scented mashed potato last time I was there, with grapefruit and basil sorbet to follow. The macaroons with my coffee (these weren't on the menu but they had made some anyway) were crunchy on the outside and just chewy on the inside - heavenly.

Edited by Mobile Chicane on Saturday 27th December 20:17

[nogginthenog]

There is a Carluccios near South Ken tube, about 5 mins walk from the Science Museum. Not hugely swanky, but always very good. I always go there after a museum visit.

http://www.carluccios.com/caffes/default.asp?func=...

[Amaboknaai]

I know this is the P&P - so....

You must take her up the oXo Tower! Great views over the City and St Paul's from Southbank. Tube to Blackfriars and walk over the bridge.

[Blues]

In...

[croyde]

Amaboknaai said:

I know this is the P&P - so....

You must take her up the oXo Tower! Great views over the City and St Paul's from Southbank. Tube to Blackfriars and walk over the bridge.

Never heard that expression before

[FastLaneGirl]

Amaboknaai said:

I know this is the P&P - so....

You must take her up the oXo Tower! Great views over the City and St Paul's from Southbank. Tube to Blackfriars and walk over the bridge.

Errr, my OH is a man (thought my user name may have given away my gender!) But thanks for the suggestion

Not keen on Carluccios, as we have one in Brighton anyway, but Zafferano saounds nice.

Any other ideas please...?

[croyde]

Sorry for being rude but I would second the Oxo Tower or Mon Plaiser near Seven Dials, can't remember the exact street but very French. Its a stone's throw from the Ivy which has this brilliant reputation but undeserved in my opinion, yet it is always fully booked.

[NiceCupOfTea]

I would second Carluccio's. There's another near Barbican.

[BigLepton]

Not overly swanky but if I'm in the area I always make a bee-line for The Swag and Tails in Fairholt Street, just behind the Brompton Road. Foie gras to start and roast pork fillet followed by the roast peaches please!

[buddhabelly]

for lunch i would lean towards roof gardens or electric brasserie, alternatives depending on mood and food preferences: kensington place, bibendum/collection, orangery, firehouse, racine, tom's kitchen, harvey nichs, notting hill brasserie,

[Muncher]

NiceCupOfTea said:

I would second Carluccio's. There's another near Barbican.

And one on Bishops Square off Bishopsgate. Had our xmas lunch there and the food was very, very good and pretty cheap too.

[KingRichard]

FastLaneGirl said:

Amaboknaai said:

I know this is the P&P - so....

You must take her up the oXo Tower! Great views over the City and St Paul's from Southbank. Tube to Blackfriars and walk over the bridge.

Errr, my OH is a man (thought my user name may have given away my gender!) But thanks for the suggestion

[KingRichard]

croyde said:

Sorry for being rude but I would second the Oxo Tower or Mon Plaiser near Seven Dials, can't remember the exact street but very French. Its a stone's throw from the Ivy which has this brilliant reputation but undeserved in my opinion, yet it is always fully booked.

Oh yeah, Mon Plaisur on Monmouth Street... burnt down a few years ago iirc, but amazing food. Ask to speak to Philippe when you book and he'll sort you out a nice table.

Food is french (obviously?) and out of this world

They do a lunch menu as well, I think

[FastLaneGirl]

Thanks for the recommendations Will check a few out and see what takes our fancy. Have heard good things about Tom's Kitchen, and Mon Plaiser sounds nice, I like good French food. (prob not the Oxo Tower for OH, he's open minded, but....!)

[KingRichard]

FastLaneGirl said:

Thanks for the recommendations Will check a few out and see what takes our fancy. Have heard good things about Tom's Kitchen, and Mon Plaiser sounds nice, I like good French food. (prob not the Oxo Tower for OH, he's open minded, but....!)

snigger...

If you go to Mon Plaisur (Plaiser??), let me know if it's still as good as I remember it... haven't been for a few years! I may have to make a special trip

[littlegreenfairy]

What about the Bombay Brasserie in South Ken? (near Gloucester Road tube)

Amazing curry

[madala]

Racine.....nearly opposite the Brompton Oratory very near natural History Museum....French Brasserie....excellent.

http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/vie...

[FastLaneGirl]

KingRichard said:

FastLaneGirl said:

Thanks for the recommendations Will check a few out and see what takes our fancy. Have heard good things about Tom's Kitchen, and Mon Plaiser sounds nice, I like good French food. (prob not the Oxo Tower for OH, he's open minded, but....!)

snigger...

If you go to Mon Plaisur (Plaiser??), let me know if it's still as good as I remember it... haven't been for a few years! I may have to make a special trip

Will do

Actually just checked out a few menus online & Bibendium is the most appealing (wish OH ate oysters, as they have a lovely looking oyster bar). I wasn't bowled over by the Mon Plaisir menu, but am tempted to try it as all the reviews online rave about it.

Anyway, yes, will let you know if we go there, & thanks for the tip!

[KingRichard]

FastLaneGirl said:

KingRichard said:

FastLaneGirl said:

Thanks for the recommendations Will check a few out and see what takes our fancy. Have heard good things about Tom's Kitchen, and Mon Plaiser sounds nice, I like good French food. (prob not the Oxo Tower for OH, he's open minded, but....!)

snigger...

If you go to Mon Plaisur (Plaiser??), let me know if it's still as good as I remember it... haven't been for a few years! I may have to make a special trip

Will do

Actually just checked out a few menus online & Bibendium is the most appealing (wish OH ate oysters, as they have a lovely looking oyster bar). I wasn't bowled over by the Mon Plaisir menu, but am tempted to try it as all the reviews online rave about it.

Anyway, yes, will let you know if we go there, & thanks for the tip!

Menu was all fairly simple stuff, but extremely well executed and a great atmos.

Anyway, hope you have a good time