London restaurant for special occasion

[Lottapianos]

Adults only, looking for really good food, not necessarily fine dining but an experience that feels like a treat. Pricey is ok so long as its decent value and actually worth it. Can travel anywhere in London

So far considering
The River Cafe
Rules
Benares
J Sheekey

Advice and suggestions welcome! Thanks

The Ned

I dine at Sheekeys very regularly, depending on choice it can be very reasonably priced. Always an interesting crowd -lots of very well know customers. Nice place to dine alone. Much better than Scotts which they also own.

Also go to the Cinnamon Club quite a bit as I work nearby- it is good. Some of the food it a bit of an acquired taste, the wine is expensive and a bit off beat (not necessarily a good thing) Great for vegetarians. Good to dine alone.

Again Oxo Tower, I prefer the brasserie as cheaper and more relaxed. the restaurant always have people on experiences- proposing etc which I find OTT. Not good to dine alone.

Murano is lovely, great food and service. Not too formal

Le Gavroche
Pied a Terre
Frog by Adam Handling
Hawksmoor, Air Street
Social Eating House

Scott’s,The Ivy or Daphne’s. The restaurant at The National Portrait Gallery is very good too.

Locanda Locatelli is superb.

Clos maggoire just off Covent Garden is lovely, ask for a table in the conservatory it's stunning.

If you like a bit of old school tradition and lots of meat then may I recommend the Guinea Grill.

Otherwise here is a second vote for the Oxo restaurant and the restaurant in the National Portrait Gallery

Sushisamba,
Christopher's Covent Garden
The Shard for the view
The Ivy
Social Eating House
The Ritz
Depends on the type of cuisine your group prefer and ambiance being sought.

Not Sheekey’s. Three of four of us had severely upset stomachs and I rang to tell them, no follow up. It might work if you’re a regular but as one off diners it was underwhelming.

Sushisamba is fun, great views at the city branch. Covent Garden is noisy, there are booths which are good for groups.

Le Colombier www.le-colombier-restaurant.co.uk tucked away in the backstreets of Chelsea. It's amazing!

For which meal? If you wanted to do afternoon tea the Connaught and the Rosewood are amazing.

Also agree with PPs suggestions of Chez Bruce, but it can get booked up quite in advance in the evenings - if you're prepared to go for lunch instead it's easier to get a booking.

Also suggest Medlar www.medlarrestaurant.co.uk on the Kings Road, Chelsea. The co-owners are both ex-Chez Bruce.

Thanks people. Planning a special dinner for my 40th for later this year. Rules, Murano, Chez Bruce and The Cinnamon Club all sound fab. Anyone been to the River Cafe?

My Foodie friend went and said the food was good but incredibly expensive for what it was.

I'd go to The Frog in Hoxton

I think Le Colombier closed down!

When, gower?

Just had a look on TripAdvisor - it was certainly open a week ago!

I like the River Cafe, but find it very expensive for what it is (£22 for a pasta dish that was literally pasta, lemon and rocket) and it doesn't feel special in the same way as some of the restaurants that have already been recommended.

Ok thanks for that. I really want to avoid overhyped restaurants that are just not worth the money

@SimonitesSocks maybe I'm confusing it with another restaurant that was tucked away. Thinking about it, it may have been in Belgravia. French.

gower, this is Le Colombier, it's opposite the side of the Royal Marsden.

Gauthiers in Romilly Street. Fantastic lunch menu and can do a tasting menu as well. Also can opt for paired wines. Costs around £45-65 per person depending on the menu you choose but really worth the money and definitely a special occasion. Restaurant doesn’t even look like a restaurant from the street. The owner is a vegan and they offer a vegan menu as well as a normal menu.

We went there for our wedding anniversary last September and were so spoilt!!

Sushisamba city
Sexy Fish (Mayfair)

following with interest