Something nice to do in London tomorrow evening with my 80 year old mum

[capelmustard]

Off to London tomorrow, taking my mum for a birthday treat to the Chanel exhibition at the V&A on Tuesday. We are staying in South Kensington.

We'll spend tomorrow afternoon looking at haberdashery and ribbons (she is really into sewing). Any suggestions for a nice restaurant in the Regent St vicinity?

Was thinking of booking a show, it's very last minute I know, I took dd to Cabaret which we absolutely adored, but I think The Mousetrap might be more mum's taste!

She's very fit so no mobility issues thankfully. She does love a good complain though, so trying to avoid that by planning ahead!

There are a few restaurants in Soho the Piccadilly end of Regent Street - the other end is mainly shops and a few eating places down some side streets
you would need to travel to Regent Street from South Ken
I’m not a big fan of restaurants in that area, but there are a few nice places in Soho you could eat

Hmm are you going to Liberty's for the haberdashery? We ate tapas at Maresco in Soho which wasn't a long walk from Liberty's and it was fab, though check seating carefully as we sat up at the counter which might not suit some 80 year olds? NOT cheap, it was a special trip. Tbh I agree that eating in Soho is your best option.

I've just had a similar weekend but with dd13. Just came on to say the Chanel exhibition is fantastic and I'm sure you'll both love it. We booked a show for the evening and it was the perfect end to the day so I would recommend that if you see something she'd enjoy. We enjoyed Wicked but it's probably more skewed to my dds age group to your mums, though my 80 year old mum has just booked for us all to see Aladdin at Xmas so 🤷‍♀️.

I think I'd be trying for tickets to Guys and Dolls at the Bridge Theatre by Tower Bridge. This would all involve a lot of taxis though! If you think she'd like The Mousetrap then go to that, or there's also Witness for the Prosecution on at County Hall.

Thanks all, going to Maculloch and Wallis for haberdashery which is close to Liberty. A visit to Liberty is a non negotiable for me.

We won't have too long there as mum insisted on a flight at a 'civilised hour', so it will probably be 4 by the time we get to Regent St.

Will try Soho for food. Witness for the Prosecution looks interesting, and views on it rather than the Mousetrap?

I'm biased- I saw The Mousetrap probably a couple of decades ago and it was underwhelming - cardboard plot, dated ++, one actress forgot her lines. I would choose almost anything else but I did choose to go and see it then!

I got on very well with Witness for the Prosecution. It's straightforward so long as you follow the story and the performance is in a really interesting setting.

I'd also go for Guys and Dolls if she likes that style of music, my octogenarian aunt loved it, as did twenty year old DD and I. It looks like you should be able to get a couple of seated tickets for tomorrow. Don't forget to pre-order freshly baked madeleines for the interval.

Take her to see Hamilton, if you can get tickets it's amazing.

Me too. Underwhelming was exactly how I'd describe it and I really thought I'd love it

I loved Hamilton but it definitely wouldn't be my first choice for my 80 year old mum

Guys and dolls and Witness for the prosecution both look great

I took my eighty-year old mother and aunt to see The King and I a few weeks ago. It was really good, and very faithful to the film that they had both loved in their youths. Honey and Co is just around the corner and very nice, as are some of the other restaurants on Store Street - Cafe Deco

Swan Lake
Tina

Yes I was going to suggest the King and I too, if it’s still on. Took my late 70s mum a few weeks ago and it was fantastic.

OP I would recommend on restaurants in Soho, nice and suitable for my mum (and so probably yours).

• NOPI (Ottolenghi).
• Bocca Di Lupo
• Noble Rot
• Bancone

Couple of restaurant ideas:

Franco’s - old school Italian, great for people watching.

Maison Francois - French brasserie vibe, most excitingly, a pudding trolley!

Operation Mincemeat is fab - it’s a musical but not in an Andrew Lloyd Webber sort of way. I’ve taken my teen and my FIL (also 80!) and both loved it.

This isn't too far from Liberty

www.vvrouleaux.com

Another vote for Hamilton!

Depending on which end of Regent St, you could always go to St Christopher's Place which always has a nice vibe. Opposite Bond St tube and a whole variety of restaurants

Thank you so much for all these great suggestions!

I would love to see a musical but unfortunately mum hates them, so frustrating! A lot of theatres seem to be closed tomorrow, and 2 seats to the Mousetrap would be £160, so I think we'll give that a miss and have a lovely dinner instead.

Thanks again! 💐

How about the cinema? This film looks really fun. Wicked little letters - Everyman cinemas are always nice, or the Curzon Mayfair is lovely?

second VW Rouleaux (sp) it’s a treasure trove!

Good suggestion. If you go to the Curzon on Shaftesbury Avenue you could eat in Chinatown, literally across the road.

Brasserie Zedel at Piccadilly has a great atmosphere and cabaret and cocktail bar. Amazing art deco surroundings- check out the toilets.

If your mum likes French food, Zedels has live music in the restaurant. It doesn't start until 8pm though I think...

There is a wonderful restaurant at Piccadilly Circus called Brasserie Zedel. It’s my absolute favourite. https://www.brasseriezedel.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0JyIjJLZhAMVD6WDBx2z0A1YEAAYASAAEgILQvD_BwE
There is a Cabaret room there as well called Crazy Coqs and they have a Dolly Parton Tribute show tomorrow night which would be fun. (Oops - it’s sold out - but the restaurant is wonderful).

Do not take your mum to see Wicked Little Letters unless she is comfortable with much swearing.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/feb/22/wicked-little-letters-review-a-depressing-obvious-clunky-waste-of-a-stellar-cast