anyone been to claridges (or somewhere equally flash?)

[nellieloula]

I'm looking for somewhere to take DH for his 40th - he'd love a fantastic meal somewhere, a special one, so looking to find a restaurant (in London). Had wanted to go to Scott's but can't get a table. Has anyone been to Claridges or could anyone reccomend somewhere???? thanks

Second the Asia de Cuba suggestion - my favourite restaurant, the beef is amazing! Not too difficult to get a table either.

Oh God I didn't mean to imply you were pompous - just wanted to make it clear that I enjoy good food!
(Also thanks Moondog!)

thanks so much for all the suggestions everyone - so many places are chocka with no saturday night tables til autumn.....would be very interested to hear what club gascon is like..and the chef's table sounds amazing, but slightly out of my price range at the moment. Maybe when he's 50!

I wish I'd booked Skylon now. DP did suggest it but couldn't remember what it was called. We ate there a few times when it was the People's Palace.
Has anyone eaten at Le Gavroche? What's it like? The online reviews are a bit disappointing.

Second the suggestion of Nobu - it's mine and DP's fave restaurant and the food is amazing.

I absolutely adore Club Gascon - I nearly always go there for my birthday!

Very good value - the tasting menu including wines was about £60 or £70last time I went I think and everything was great.

Nice room, staff inobtrusive, service can be a little slow. Not pretentious just very nice

Interesting re waterside not been there for 5+ years

We used to love the what-are-they-on spaciness (and the entirely adequate food) of the People's Palace. Skylon not anything like as much fun - for us.

Probably not special enough for your occasion, nellie, but while we're doing recommendations we think Rowley Leigh's now-not-quite-so-new Café Anglais is fantastic - spacious and welcoming and tranquil, with a menu where you can always find something you really want, and a nice mix of diners. Not a bank-breaker either.

Dh took ds & dd there for lunch with dd's godparents at the weekend & ds is so proud of having had Pike Boudin (with salsify fritters).

ooh yes, club gascon. very relaxed for the quality of the food.

love chez bruce as well, and last time I went they only took bookings one calendar month ahead. so they won't be booked up yet, but you would have to make a note in your diary to call them a month ahead!

Did anyone mention Hibiscus?

Dh has a greedy work friend (they've done Fat Duck & such together) & I think they liked their Hibiscus lunch. Time Out certainly rates it!

We had a lovely night at Club Gascon, the food and service was immaculate. This was in another life, years ago pre-children. I'm just reading this thread for the porn effect.

lol at booge and the "porn effect".

I work just up the alley from Club Gascon, behind the church. Most days I end up with my nose pressed against the window, drooling over the menu like a grubby street urchin, and then mournfully walking back to the office with my sandwich.

can I suggest - again! - Roussillon? I know CD likes it. Michelin starred, fabulous food, in chelsea/pimlico borders, immaculate wine list and v good sommelier - I really rate it. have had better meals there than at various ramsey restaurants, generally speaking

We went to Le Gavroche this week and the food was fabulous and the service very attentive. But it's horribly expensive. Dp wouldn't do the taster menu

club gascon is great but I think of it as a lunchtime City venue - I couldn't go there in the evening unless I was with City people, I'd wonder what the hell I was doing so close to my old office on a Nice Night Out
but that is my Ishooo, not yours

oh yes Rousillon very good
they now do a 24 course lunch

the wolsley is SO overrated, impersonal and the food is vin ordinnaire don't bother

if you love food:

The fountain at Fortnum and Mason

Scotts

bibendum

gavroche

Rules

Scalinis

look

No wonder C. Campion is such a pork slice

Could you not just pitch up to Scotts and sit at the oyster bar bit?

I wasn't that impressed with Rules. I had venison and it was dry and tough.

My tuppence worth:

Club Gascon is wonderful, the tasting menu with wine is guaranteed to send you home reeling. But you have to be okay with Foie Gras.

Le Gavroche - a nice experience but so not 22nd best restaurant in the world.

Waterside Inn - great evening but wish we'd gone to the Fat Duck also in Bray.

St Johns - really great food, but very meaty / offally. Plus your surroundings are a bit public school canteen. I love it but not everyone does.

The Ivy - great experience and nice comfort food but really hard to get a prime time table. You can combine it with a show as 6ish tables are easier to get?

River Cafe - not quite up to the hype but still a good meal.

Skylon - I enjoyed my lunch here, great views but its a bit hotel decor imo and the cooking isn't spectacular.

Nobu - fine but not all that.

Galvin Bistro (the one on Baker Street) - really great food, at decent prices but hopeless service. I'd go back regardless.

On the wish list:
Petrus,
the new Mark Hix place (where Rudland and Stubbs used to be in Farringdon),
Cafe Anglais,
Oliver Peyton's restaurant at the National.

Nobu 'not all that'? The food there is the best I've ever tasted. But then I like Japanese food in general (had sushi for lunch today).

I do like Japanese food!

My problem with it was how crowded together all the tables were.. I think also my ordering was a bit off. I went for the famous black cod, which was delicious but done in quite a few places now. Plus I was dining with a veggie friend, so didnt get a chance to sample much else..

Crowded tables, yes. Another aspect though - I was on my way to one of the Nobus (Mayfair one I think) to meet a friend who was waiting there, and she called me in a fright because a real horrible vicious brawl had broken out at the next table.

That unfortunate link - between how fashionable it is, & certain kinds (ie, aggressive kinds) of super-rich clientele - puts me off completely.

Nobu Berkeley is better than original at Park Lane - better layout, decor and great cocktails on the ground floor.

I think Skylon is very good, food excellent if not out of this world - nice in Summer with the views and quite romantic walking along the river afterwards.

Roast at Borough Market is good, lovely setting, bit overpriced though.

Andrew Edmunds is lovely and very romantic too but might not have the glamour factor if you want a flash place.

Love the Wolseley myself.

As far as Gord's places go, Maze Grill is new and supposed to be very good. Do not, under any circumstances, go near Foxtrot Oscar, absolutely dreadful in every way.

Off to Scott's tonight