I found a good restaurant in London ! [gasp] Not cheap but v. tasty

[hub2dee]

Vietnamese pan-Asian cuisine, edgy / trendy music, neutral to sophisticated decor, informal but smart crowd (except me of course, I always dress for the beach LOL), prompt enough service, very relaxed ambiance. Approx ?25 / head 3 courses, plus nibbles exc. drinks.

I usually am fairly disappointed with restaurants in London. Quality frequently varies visit-after-visit IYSWIM and it's usually only 'good' rather than great. The food at this place had exceptionally clean flavours and our friends had a beef dish they both thought was EXCEPTIONALLY good. I'd recommend it.

Bam Bou . Off Goodge Street.

If you liked Bam-bou, you will probably like Patara - a Thai restaurant that is a favourite of ours - not the most glam "hot-spot" but the food is consistently excellent some reviews

Sounds nice. Thanks for the tip !

Anyone else want to make sugestions about really good places (any price) that they thought was especially great ?

i am going out into town for a posh meal on friday, for the first time since falling pg over two years ago.

going to this place and hoping to god that i have a better evening than giles coren did .

I've heard good things about BamBoo.

Expensive Central London places that I love (um, but haven't been to in ages):

• club Gascon (Smithfield). Really really lovely, lots of foie gras and proper French food
• Bleeding Heart (Smithfield), more traditional than Club Gascon, also French.

These days, I like Leon (small chain), Canteen (Spitalfields) ... think that's it. But then, I just came back from Canada, where the restaurants are better and cheaper, so what do I know?

bleeding heart is lovely.

and j sheekey.

Which is J Sheekey? Is it that trad seafood place at Bank? Or have I got it confused with somewhere else?

DH eats out on other people's money rather a lot, without kids (duh) so knows loads of good places in town.

a fish restaurant just off charing cross road (i think - well, near leicester sq anyway). like many of the big, fashionable restaurants, it's a good one to try for a saturday lunch. my friend spotted madonna and guy ritchie in there once.

their fish pie is awesome.

Hub

I was in a lovley one, on Saturday not as posh as those but the company was great

Yes, and I had a dw to keep sweet

We did discuss certain other simultaneous activities that might or might not have been occuring in other parts of London.

J Sheekey is fabulous. Great for celeb-spotting - sat next to Zoe Wanamaker the first time we went. Not cheap, but well worth it - especially the dover sole mmmmmmmm

Heard very good things about the Bleeding Heart too.

I love going for tapas (or rather used to, pre-baby) - my favourites in London are Meson Don Felipe on The Cut nr Waterloo, or Navarros on Charlotte Street.

LOL Hub...!

Has anyone tried the cinnamon club?

I really like the look of the menu < drool >

lol at the topic for this hub 'Culture Vultures'
tis the french in you I think

bravo

Molesworth - I went to the cinnamon club and the service was terrible - we booked at the last minute for 9.30, didn't sit down 'til 10.00, didn't order 'til 10.30 and didn't get any food 'til 11.00, then my main was cold. To be fair they did take the wine and my main off the bill and everyone else's food was very good but I won't be going back - the stress of looking at the clock and thinking about my friend babsitting at home has stayed with me. Have only heard good things about it before and since so maybe we were just unlucky.

i love Club Gascon

LOL @Lilila.

I think it's because REALLY great food transcends mere fuel and becomes a cultural event IYSWIM.

(The French don't half talk some crap, eh)