Birthday lunch booking nightmare

[PanplemousseRouge]

Sorry in advance this is such a boring AIBU!

I’m looking to book somewhere for a surprise birthday brunch/lunch for my friend, but everywhere I’ve looked is asking for an up front payment to be made when booking (normally around (£250) 😭😭

Anyone know of any places in London that don’t cost a fortune to pre book?

Thank you!!

Zedel’s: www.brasseriezedel.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=local&utm_campaign=GoogleMyBusiness

Or Bob Bob Ricard?

How many are you booking for?

Can’t you just ask people to pay upfront? You’ll really struggle to find somewhere otherwise, especially this time of year

We are going to Hannah in Battersea for a work social as no deposit and no set menu.

When is the booking for?

Definitely second Brasserie Zedel - fab food, affordable and absolutely fantastic venue

Drake and Morgan in Kings Cross was free to book for 8 for lunch and the food was decent and setting lovely.

I think this is more a December thing? I’ve worked in restaurants for years and we only ask for deposits during busy times. In my city everywhere would ask for deposit during December and New Year’s Eve.

It's a pain as I've often been in charge of arranging Christmas lunches that require a deposit. People don't seem to understand that they will lose it if they don't show up or cancel last minute (the worst was I booked for 10 of us l, managed to get away with not giving a deposit, then on the day only three made it). But getting people to stump up is tricky - you get a lot of 'oh put me down I'll give you the deposit later' (meaning I'm not going to pay you and I'm likely to cancel and it will then be your problem).
Best thing is to have them order their meal at the same time and say if they don't pay the deposit they don't get a meal.