I have to go into Central London on Saturday - help!

[KenAdams]

It can't be avoided unfortunately as my daughter has an event to attend. We will be Soho/Mayfair way as well, so possibly one of the worst areas for a Saturday in December.

I'm looking for somewhere I can book for a late lunch to take two 13 year olds and then something to do for DH and I between 4-8 whilst they're at the event.

Can anyone think of anywhere that won't be mega crowded. I think I'm asking for the impossible and this is a long shot but I may be missing some hidden gems.

@Ddakji sorry op to ask about this but I'm also alarm we are going on Friday...new bond Street down to fortnums windows ,china town then covent garden and show.

I drove through last Friday in an Uber and it was heaving but the weekends are worse. If you've booked just go but expect crowds and plan accordingly.

If you're going into Fortnums go straight up to the higher floors. Don't try and shop where you enter.

Robata for lunch: https://robata.co.uk/

Japanese, absolutely bloody delicious.

There are always kids at the Wolseley, mine have gone since they were 7 or 8

Because unless your child has grown up in some kind of rarified environment and is extremely mature for their age, there are many other places they will find a lot more fun and a lot more atmospheric with more interesting food

Go to Market Place in Leicester Square.

it is a new venue and is opening on 11 December so will be open in time for Saturday. It also won’t be booked up. ( May even be relatively quiet as people don’t realise it’s open yet)

have been to other Market Places and they are good for teenagers. It’s basically a food hall with lots of street food vendors. Lots of choice.

Leicester square will be very busy ( there’s an ice rink and xmas market there) but it’s very xmassy and not too far from the Ritz.

I can’t believe I’m suggesting Leicester Square but it may work!

Friday won’t be as bad as Saturday but it will still be busy. It’s always busy.

The Wolseley is great for kids of all ages- if you have little ones they give you crayons and pictures to colour and all the pictures are of glamorous women getting out of Bentleys 😂 Probably too late now though.

Speedboat bars in Soho is fab for teens if you like Thai.

I’d probably go to a gallery and do some shopping in the big Waterstones.

I don’t understand the obsession on here with The Wolseley. It’s a lovely setting but I find much of the food very average, and preferred it immediately post-lockdown when the tables were more widely spaced so more private.

Same with Zedel really. I prefer to remember it in its heyday as the Atlantic Bar and Grill when for a while it really was the place to be and God the drinks were expensive.

Thank you for using your words rather than just being snide. Yes, you’re probably right there are other more fun places (though it’ll depend on your teen - the Wolseley might be a bit quieter for those who don’t like hectic) - it’s main benefit so far as the OP is concerned is it’s very close to the Ritz.

I’m heading to Fortnum’s this afternoon, I’ll report back! Their windows are lovely.

@Ddakji thank you

100% agree. The Wolseley used to be very good but no longer.

@HundredMilesAnHour I also remember it as the Atlantic ! Wasn't it fab !

I keep wanting to try it now but I've never seen anything on the menu the DC would like

Any updates

How did you get on? Driving through yesterday wasn't as bad as last Friday but that's probably because it wasn't the weekend.

@KenAdams no news isnt good news !

@IvyOrangesCandles I walked from from work last night around 6pm so from Liverpool St through Spitalfields and it was absolute bedlam. It wasn’t just the expected work Christmas parties/groups/drinkers but there seemed to be LOTS of out-of-towners who’d obviously come in for Christmas shopping and general mooching around. I know it’s not the area where you’ll be tomorrow but the West End is usually busier than Spitalfields (except Sundays) and despite living in this area for 20+ years, I was gobsmacked at how busy it was.

So basically, be prepared. Expect slow-moving crowds. As long as you’re not in a rush you’ll be fine.

Heddon street kitchen for lunch?

Then I’d do a spot of shopping separately to stop annoying trailing husbands (braving Regent Street or Liberty) then retreat to a hotel lounge: Connaught, Claridges, the new Rosewood or below the Ritz, the Haymarket.

It’s not that bad but hold onto your belongings/phone!

@HundredMilesAnHour thank you so much

We are hoping to cut through some back roads to fortnums and not actually go in ..
I've never known London be that busy ??

We do need to get to the theatre yes ! Thank you so much for the warning and lucky you working near spitflrields.have you ever been to Daniel servers house which I think is near there ?

Ohhh a lounge is a fantastic idea, thank you!

Enjoy tomorrow!

I love Fortnums but the Christmas ground floor queues are mental. Very well organised and efficiently run by the amazing Fortnums staff but you definitely need to spend enough to make it worthwhile queueing that long to pay. But their Chocolossus biscuits are heavenly (I’m not usually a biscuit person but make an exception in this case).

It’s truly bonkers on the streets at the moment. I tried to take back streets to walk home tonight but OMG anywhere with a pub/bar/restaurant had loud crowds blocking the entire street outside. I live just east of Spitalfields so it’s usually very handy but feels a bit like a running the gauntlet in Gladiators to get home at present. And makes me feel very sober. 😛

Edit: yes, Dennis Severs house is definitely worth a visit if you haven’t been. I love the old weavers houses in the area. My favourites are Fournier Street (where Gilbert & George live) and Princelet Street. I lust after one most of the houses on Princelet St and stare in their windows on my way home almost everything night (like the envious house stalker I am). They’re just stunning.

@HundredMilesAnHour even for London that's early for large drinking crowds ?

I can't say I'm looking forward to it 😶

I booked Zizzi covent garden last sat and was lovely