Ideas for pre Xmas lunch central London

[Justputsomeyoghurtonit]

Hi,

I am short on inspiration for a Christmas lunch with a friend.

Over the years we've ticked off a lot of lovely places, from Pollen St Social, to Seven Dials, from French restaurants to Tapas to the Wolseley.

I just tried to book the Devonshire Soho but within a minute of the booking going live, all seats were taken - more stressful than ticketmaster.

We were hoping for a pub vibe, with bone marrow type stuff (you know, the kind of place Giles Coren gets excited about), but absolutely not a chain or brewery pub. No Fullers etc.

Friend comes into Euston, I come into Waterloo. We always go for Champagne before lunch. So ideally central-ish and probably not East London.

I did consider the proper Ivy, but I went to the chain last week and the food was abysmally processed and it's really put me off.

Do you have any good suggestions?

Thank you in advance!

Town! Really nice food and great atmosphere. I’ve had bone marrow there as well. Don’t miss the sage leaves as a starter or the bread.

@ZoeyBartlett love the username!!

Thank you, googling now!

The Ten Cases in Covent Garden meets the pub vibe but not with British/french menu.

@MidnightPatrol thanks so much!

Hmm. Looked at both of those, we were hoping for the pub vibe, with a British menu. Something simple but exceptionally good.

Hawksmoor if you like steaks - Air street one is our favourite and you will definitely get bone marrow there !

Bocca di lupa for Italian

cafe Murano or Murano itself if you can get a table

45 at Fortnums is always good

Angela Hartnett's new one at the royal opera house is great too

Balthazar

not pubby but good food

What about Berners Tavern then?

@blizymitzy

I have booked Balthazar pending my friend's approval! Thank you so much for all the ideas.

@blizymitzy I do love Angela H food and our fave special occasion dinner is Limewood in the new forest. So might keep those in the bag for next time.

@Justputsomeyoghurtonit

lovely
have a great time

Roast in Borough Market.

i absolutely hate the Ivy.

Not pub vibe, more of a modern brasserie, but Café Francois has lovely food and is easy to get to (near Piccadilly).

Shame about the Devonshire ! I think they do take walk ins also. I've not been successful booking

Balthazar is very nice though.

@Vitriolinsanity @Koulibiak @FestiveYoni

Thanks so much! Will check those out for my next lunch!

Also the Devonshire said they do get cancellations so am checking twice a day!

Sorry I meant Maison François (not Café)