Need help..!! Where to go..?!

[Dover Nige]

Ok PH'ers, I need your help...!!

My girlfriend would like to go up to London for a really nice lunch at a top restaurant, or possibly dinner if I can get some reasonable hotel prices for her 30th birthday.

She likes the idea of a Gordon Ramsey restaurant, but I've heard some negative reports about the food (something about it being frozen?). That should give you an idea of what she'd like hopefully.

Can anyone help me with an idea of where to go for dinner and possibly where to stay please..?

My total budget is around £300ish and looking around the interweb so far I've found that I could stay the night at the Union Jack Club for around £100 which seems quite reasonable.

Over to you PH'ers..!!

PS: I've heard all the oxo tower jokes, so I'll get in first with that one..!!

[Dover Nige]

[grumbledoak]

Sorry, Dude, I missed this.

Maze, if you want Ramsey. It really is good. Get the 'Tasting Menu'.

If you want something else, go to Benares; a curry restaurant with a Michelin star, are there is only one of those. Bentleys is also very good, and Corrigan is a bit of a character if he's out and about.


The 'frozen food' crap was to do with Ramsey's gastropubs, some of which don't have an adequate kitchen to cook it all proper. Won't be an issue.


I can give others, if you want. Not so good on hotels, as we live pretty central...

[Dover Nige]

Paul, Thanks for your reply. I'm certainly going to consider Ramsey's Maze as per your suggestion as a top contender, just depends on what I can find with regards to places to stay.

I've also found that Marco Pierre Whites Yew Tree near Newbury has a B&B, so that's also looking a possible now. Anyone been..?

I know this sounds a bit silly, but do any of these "celeb" chefs actually cook at any of their places or are they just sat somewhere with their feet up..?

[Wadeski]

Really varies from chef to chef. Also remember G.R. is a restranteur more than a chef now - but that doesnt stop him hiring v.good chefs to execute his style of food.

[grumbledoak]

Dover Nige said:

I know this sounds a bit silly, but do any of these "celeb" chefs actually cook at any of their places or are they just sat somewhere with their feet up..?

Maze is technically James Atherton, one of Ramsey's trainees, often there but you may not see him unless you ask- he also runs some other places. Atul Kochhar does seem to be working at Benares; Richard Corrigan can can be found in the bar at Bentleys quite often; Locatelli was there when we ate at Locanda; and Jeremy Lee has been there 50/50 at Blueprint (which has fantastic views). Roast is at Borough Market, and Lawrence Keogh asked us to get our nipper from the pram so he could have a lie down...

[Nolar Dog]

I like Zilli Fish on Brewer St. in W1.

[JDMc]

Nolar Dog said:

I like Zilli Fish on Brewer St. in W1.

Visited this on Saturday for a bite to eat.

Fantastic!

[dcw@pr]

grumbledoak said:

If you want something else, go to Benares; a curry restaurant with a Michelin star, are there is only one of those. Bentleys is also very good, and Corrigan is a bit of a character if he's out and about.

Quillon also has a michelin star and is Indian. I know several people who have been t Benares, and all of them were disappointed. Bentleys is very good however.

[Bullett]

I'd recommend Murano which is a Ramsey place although it's more of an Angela Hartnett place and she was there when we ate last month. Very very good.

Claridges I would also recommend for the food and service experience. I also like Richard Corrigan and he was again in the kitchen when we were there.

However, both of these will cost you £300 ish for the meal/wine if you go tasting. Lunch menus are often better value.

15 in Cornwall is very good and a possible alternative but i've not tried the London one.

[dcw@pr]

Bullett said:

15 in Cornwall is very good and a possible alternative but i've not tried the London one.

mediocre and over priced

[Fatbloke]

i was at "The Square" Saturday evening as an alternative to Maze

i can also recommend the cinnamon club for spiced cusine

[dcw@pr]

Bullett said:

15 in Cornwall is very good and a possible alternative but i've not tried the London one.

mediocre and over priced

[raharley]

"dans le noir"

certainly different..

[mcg123]

Have mentioned it before but Clos Maggiore, Covent Garden was true class for mine and bints 10th wedding anniversary. Tasting menu £65 each and a bottle or two on top - we paid just under £200. (been voted in top 5 London most romantic restaurants....) www.closmaggiore.com

[Neil_H]

La Poule au Pot just off Sloane Square. It's not fine dining, but it is a very romantic little French restaurant that does fantastic farmhouse-style food. Book a room in the Millenium Hotel just up the road on Sloane St, or the Jumeirah across the road and I reckon you'll come in under budget. I took my girlfriend there at least a year ago and she still talks about it fondly now

Bentley's as recommended above is very good too.

[Pferdestarke]

Skylon is good. On the Thames near the Eye

[Dover Nige]

A few very helpful PH'ers said:

Bentley's as recommended above is very good too.

Ok chaps, she really likes the menu at Bentley's, so I've booked in to the restaurant there. Thanks heaps for the advice and guidance, it's much appreciated. I certainly wouldn't have found it without your advice.!!


Now, my next challenge is to find somewhere to stay. I'm anticipating my budget starting to go a bit pear shaped, but it is her 30th after all...

Does anyone have any hotel pointers or shall I start a new thread in Hols & Travel..?

[Wadeski]

St Martins Lane hotel might be quite cool? I would look at one of the last minute sites and get a deal somewhere.

[Windsorphil]

You'll enjoy Bentley's - I had lunch there on Friday, sat outside (started at 1pm left at 7ish - a lot of wine was drunk) - had smoked eel and then John Dory from the specials menu - Richard Corrigan came late afternoon and said hello (my host runs the company that manages his PR).