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Original poster

Can anyone recommend a great London restaurant (in theatreland)

27 replies

KangarooCaught · 10/03/2011 11:07

In London over Easter with dh, 2 children & meeting up with my father for theatre & evening celebratory meal. Theatre is closest to Tottenham Court Rd Station, we're staying in Covent Garden but anywhere central would be fine. Nothing burger/steak housey nor requiring a small mortgage (so La Gavroche is out!)

Any ideas??

OP posts:
OhYouBadBadKitten · 10/03/2011 11:32
jimswifein1964 · 10/03/2011 11:35

average food but fantastic decor and atmosphere

bibbitybobbityhat · 10/03/2011 11:37

Orso in Covent Garden. I say it again and again on these boards - just wish someone would go one day and report back!

2cats2many · 10/03/2011 11:39

Kettners on Old Compton Street is fab. Nice food, reasonable (for London) prices and really fantastic decor.

Link here

bibbitybobbityhat · 10/03/2011 11:54

Yes, Kettners is fab (a glorified Pizza Express, basically) but its not on Old Compton Street. There's a champagne bar and they usually have a piano player, but its not expensive.

Original poster
KangarooCaught · 10/03/2011 12:28

Oh, thank you jimswife, bibbity & 2cats2many Smile

My father only knows a couple of bar-type restaurants peopled by luvvies and are really not in my price range or necessarily family-friendly. Am going to be checking out all of these!

OP posts:
Blu · 10/03/2011 12:38

Bedford and Strand
Kaupapa
Bertorelli's in Floral St
or
Would Carluccios in Rose St suit?
Kopapa

knottyhair · 10/03/2011 12:55

We usually go to either Joe Allen's in Exeter Street, or Jamie's Italian on Upper St Martin's Lane. Great food and something for everyone.

Original poster
KangarooCaught · 10/03/2011 13:32

Have a list now thanks to you Smile - Jamie's looks tempting as Italian is my favourite, but only bookable if there are 6 people or more, and there's 5 of us.

Thank you for all the suggestions, Kettlers looks lovely & am working my way through reviews of the others.

OP posts:
BlueChampagne · 10/03/2011 13:33

DH works in Bloomsbury and likes Il Fornello www.ilfornello.co.uk

fedupwithdeployment · 10/03/2011 13:42

wahacas - but you can't book. But shouldn't be a problem if you don't go at peak hours. Been there about 3 times, and it is good.

TaffetasCatCameBack · 10/03/2011 13:51

I love Wahaca and Bertorelli's. J Sheekey is amazing if you like fish/seafood and doesn't have to be hideously expensive if you order sensibly.

When I was little and we went to the theatre, we always went to Manzi's, but its sadly closed down now. Incredible place, fond memories.

silverfrog · 10/03/2011 13:53

was going to say Sarastro's too.

food not brilliant (but edible enough) but atmosphere/decor/entertainment is fabulous.

knottyhair · 10/03/2011 14:25

Wahaca is fantastic but does get busy. I know you can't book at Jamie's but they do look after you if you have to wait, i.e. nice bar area for a drink, stuff for the kids, someone brings round a little platter of salami etc. if it's really busy! Don't always have to wait but we've never waited more than about half an hour, often less.

Helzapoppin · 10/03/2011 17:37

Le Gavroche used to do a £30 3 course set lunch so may no be out (not sure it's very child friendly though!).

Agree that Wahaca is lovely. The real Greek in Covent Garden is nice for lunch as is the Sofra is St Christopher's Place (Turkish and populated by child loving waiters!)

kittykitty · 11/03/2011 13:25

Can't recommend Opera Tavern highly enough. It's an Italian/Spanish tapas style restaurant slap bang in the middle of Covent Garden, very child friendly - my 8 yr old loved the mini burgers - and the food is really, really good.

minipie · 11/03/2011 13:45

I suggest Great Queen Street which is a gastro pub on (oddly enough) Great Queen Street (near Drury Lane so the eastern side of theatre land).

It's more of an un-smart restaurant than a pub really - eg there is a long bar but all tables and chairs, not sofas/TVs etc.

Food is really excellent British food - eg crab on toast, slow cooked belly pork, home made pies, fish, etc.

Opera Tavern gets good reviews and I am a big fan of its sister restaurants Dehesa and Salt Yard. Book quickly though as it's new and popular at the mo.

There is also a new place called Bill's which is just behind Jamie's Italian - went there last week and it was good. Food is bistro food eg burgers, goats cheese tart, risotto, that sort of thing. Would be very child friendly I think.

Original poster
KangarooCaught · 11/03/2011 17:21

SmileSmileSmile

thank you so much

we had a fab meal out in Oxford thanks to MNers & no doubt will have a good time in London too...just gotta choose!

OP posts:
knottyhair · 11/03/2011 17:38

Kangaroo, where did you go in Oxford? We're going at beginning of May and could do with a recommendation!

Original poster
KangarooCaught · 11/03/2011 21:34

Knotty, we went to Browns, but our requirements were v specific (open mid afternoon and baby-friendly) and food was v good as promised. I've searched for my thread but think it must have been in chat, but lovely MNers gave me loads of excellent recommendations.

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knottyhair · 12/03/2011 15:21

Kangaroo, I've been to Browns (in Oxford, Bristol & London), they are good aren't they? Might go again, or I might start another thread nearer the time asking for recommendations! It's just DP & I going so I can cast the net a bit wider. Have a nice meal in London x

KenDoddsDadsDog · 12/03/2011 15:22

bibbity I love Orso!! It's what I was going to post.

bigTillyMint · 12/03/2011 18:14

Kettners..... used to go there loads in my youth....

bigTillyMint · 12/03/2011 18:22

But it's not a Pizza Express any more Sad

notcitrus · 12/03/2011 22:23

Joe Allen's is great - kids are welcome but it's not a 'kid-friendly' restaurant.