Help me find a Special London Restaurant?! (please)

[lastminutelily]

Wondering if I can take advantage of the wonderful mumsnet hivemind.

40th birthday next weekend - wont bore with details as to why but we were not going to be in London for it - now we are - hence the short notice.

The ideal venue would be somewhere we can take a baby and toddler but still a v nice restaurant. Preferably somewhere with great vibe/luxury but cosy sort of thing - a really nice bar to have a drink before or after (or both!) would be fab.

Price not really an issue as it's a special occasion for us after a hellish year and we want it to be really nice. Having said that, it doesn't have to michelin starred or super fancy (although those things are fine) - just great food, great wine and great vibe.

Any suggestions? It's been so long since I've been out I feel like I've lost touch. Central or West London.

I'd go to the Connaught, and eat in the michelin restaurant there but have a drink in the bar beforehand. It's v baby friendly

Thanks @fcukedinthehead ! Good to know its baby friendly - does that include a baby led weaning 10 months old?! I know I wont relax if I'm worried about her making a mess/what other diners might think or expect from their own 2michelin star experience etc

The Glasshouse at Kew is Michelin star but very relaxed for lunch.

Please don't take a baby and a toddler to anywhere like the glasshouse. it would be hideous for everyone else there

langansbrasserie.com

Phenomenal little place. We went to celebrate my mother's MBE! It was perfect.

I took my toddler to Skylon for lunch - it was lovely and they surprisingly had a kids menu. We took toys and other distractions and no-one else was disturbed.

We've been to the Glasshouse a couple of times and its lovely - but not really the ambience I'm looking for (and no bar to stretch out the occasion!) - and yes it's quite small so any misbehaviour by the little uns will not go unnoticed (although honestly they are not much bother usually - I know everyone says that but they really aren't - it's more the mess I worry about!)

Galvin at Windows is lovely; it seems to be child-friendly for Sunday lunch, not sure about other times.

www.galvinatwindows.com/restaurant/

Thanks Langans and lather! Will check them out. Langan's definitely looks interesting!

Darby's in Vauxhall under the new US embassy. So chilled and such superb food.

Oblix at The Shard might work as long as it’s lunch. I’ve taken a 4 year old and it was fine. Lots to look at! Bar on the same floor.
Somebody recommended Sketch to me as being good to go with kids, haven’t tried it though.

I’d go to the Ritz - have often seen children in there and whilst they may not be allowed in the bar afterwards you can linger at your table.

I was going to suggest Langan’s too. Think it’s probably got the vibe you’re after too. Went there for my 30th birthday and had a great time.

We've taken a baby to St John before and it was very relaxed and easy.

Dishoom is so nice.

Happy birthday, OP!

I recently took my nine month old to the Sky Garden restaurant and they were wonderful with him and loved his chaos. They also have several bars there, plus the garden and views to entertain kids.

I'll second Dishooms. The kings cross cross one is my favourite.

Can you do lunch instead of dinner? Many of the better restaurants are ok for kids at lunch not dinner.

I wouldn't be impressed at a baby mad toddler for dinner ina Michelin star restaurant where I was paying ££££ to not be around my kids.

Thanks for all the suggestions! Lots to peruse. And yes - it's definitely a lunch and not dinner

Great to know the kid friendly restaurants to avoid for any special dinners I plan!!!

Did afternoon tea at the shard with toddler, they were fab!

I second The Connaught

Not quite so fancy but any of the ivy cafes would be okay - we take our baby quite often and most of them have a bar / do some excellent cocktails

Cinammon Club is nice.

I third The Connaught. Or The Chiltern Firehouse. Always kids there when I’ve been and then there’s the terrace outside (with blankets and fires) for a post lunch drink.