To ask for you nice but not too fancy London restaurant recommendations?

[PickettBowtruckles]

Apologies for posting in AIBU for traffic...

Trying to find a nice restaurant in London for a special occasion, just my husband and I. I wouldn't class either of us as particularly fussy eaters, however most of the high rated restaurants have menus which just don't look to our taste.

I want good food, but nothing too unusual. I know this makes me look incredibly bland and boring but snails and foie gras just aren't for us really.

Does anyone have any personal recommendations I can have a look into?! Budget wise wouldn't want to spend more than £250 for the both of us.

I am not that keen on the Ledbury, it's not really clear what the OP wants to eat, but the Ledbury is a little fussy.

www.samphireandsalsify.com/2015/03/27/the-ledbury-notting-hill/

If you want something towards the 'lump of protein' category then that isn't it.

Simpsons-in-the-Strand would be more so.

Nandos, Streatham High Road.

The Orrery in Marylebone is nice. French but not too fussy. I'm a terribly picky eater and always manage to find something I fancy on the menu.

Little social is very nice. French bistro style by Jason atherton. My fairly trad parents enjoyed it a lot.

Edmund Edwards is v lovely but teeny tiny. I love that knocking elbows give but it might be a by off putting if you want a romantic dinner for two.
Bentleys oyster bar and grill is super gorgeous. Fish oriented but a good selection of stuff for all tastes. And when they go inventive, it's always restrained and super thoughtful and tasty. I had the most amazing Asian tuna starter there which was so memorable.

Oxo tower restaurant or Aqua at the Shard for great views of London

If you like Italian try Zianis in Chelsea - family run and really nice.

Oxo Tower is fab. Julie 's in Holland Park would be my first choice but it's being renovated due to reopen in December.

Hawksmoor isn't mega fancy but is delicious and some of the restaurants are really nice inside. We spent almost £200 last time we went with two cocktails each.

Or have a cheaper meal elsewhere and have the Hawksmoor breakfast the next morning which is AMAZING.

Rules or Langhams

What about The Hawkesmoor? Really high end steak and seafood restive any which is good food done to a very high standard. Amazing cocktails too. There are about 4 in central London including Covent Garden and it costs about £150 for two including drinks (three courses).

Delauney is great, good location if you need to be at Covent Garden end of town.

Not going to cost anywhere near £250 but our favourite post-show restaurant is Steak & Co where you cook your steak yourself on a sizzling stone. You get a choice of sauces, condiments and side dishes and the meat is excellent. Great fun too and very sociable. (They do serve other things too but for us it's definitely a treat when we fancy a good steak).

And I don't think £250 is obscene. Obviously depends on your priorities, but I think you'd struggle to get a top London restaurant for less than that

I suppose a tasting menu at Alain Ducasse would add up to lots more. Personally, I struggle to enjoy meals that will set us back over £100... That doesn't mean we don't get to ever enjoy top restaurants - we usually try set lunch menus.

Maggie Jones is lovely. It's tiny, quaint, cosy, romantic, and the food and service are wonderful.

Or if you want to try Indian the Cinnamon Club is excellent.
Love the Ledbury - relaxed atmosphere and excellent food. Have had variable experiences with Hawksmoor.
For something a little more touristy with a view, how about one of the restaurants at the top of the Shard - dh has eaten there on business several times and has been surprisingly impressed.

Fischers in Marylebone is amazing.
Good for plainish food: The Delaunay, The Wolesley, Orrery, Bentleys, Rules, Roast
Indian: Cinnamon Club, Gymkhana, Dishoom, Quilon
Vegetarian: Vanilla Black, The Gate, Farmacy
Meat: Hawksmoor, Gaucho, Bodeans, St John, Flat Iron

Bodeans absolutely not, it's a fast food place.

You could try Oslo Court.

Another vote for Rules. Also 32 Great Queen Street is very nice, without being mega expensive. DH and I go almost every time we go to London, it's become a bit of a tradition.

Checking out Rules!!

Benares. Although I've not been for ages.

J Sheekey if you like fish.

Dans Le Noir if you want to have fun - it’s pitch black and all the waiters are blind. It was an amazing experience and you can pick vege/meat etc.

I also vote for the Hawksmoor. I have been to 4 branches (Covent Garden, Regent St, Borough Market and Knightsbridge) and all have consistently good food (steaks/excellent sides) with amazing service. As someone that does not drink they also do the most fab non-alcoholic cocktails. Roast or Black and Blue in Borough Market are also great for a very good steak/British food.

I have been to the Woseley but feel that it was a bit overrated.

I will definitely try Rules and the Delaunay after reading this thread!

La Petite Maison. Extraordinary food extraordinarily done in an elegant but understated space.

Dinner (at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park) would be a great pick if you wanted exceptional a bit more opulence. If you ask for a table that looks over the park, you should also be able to see into the (glassed in) kitchen. A pretty remarkable combination -- unless you like more hustle and bustle, in which case the bigger central room might be more your cup of tea.

Exceptional food in a more opulent space. Restaurant reviews/recommendations and chasing sick toddlers don't really go hand in hand. Who'd have guessed?