central London restaurant recommendations

[JandLandG]

Evening, all

Just a quick request for central London restaurant recommendations on the off-chance ppl might be able to help...

I wanted to take treat the family to a pre theatre posh dinner at The Ivy in Covent Garden on Wednesday, but they can't fit us in...

Should have thought more ahead, but there you go...

Just wondered if anyone had any similar recommendations for places nearby that might substitute effectively...kids are teen and student age.

Somewhere a bit posh and swanky but not ridiculously so....maybe.

Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions would be very welcome

Many thanks in advance

Hi OP

Midlands family here who ❤️ a trip to London

We had lunch at Bancone (Italian) last time. Busy and a bit chaotic - although to be fair we'd been on our feet and literally NOT SAT DOWN since 8.00 am so we're desperate to chill out - off Trafalgar Square. Gorgeous home made pasta surprisingly reasonably priced and very quaffable wine by the glass.

Handily there is also a cute and tiny Italian deli next door that we went to later for coffee and pear and chocolate cake.

Our bellies were very happy that day.

Have a great time

Sorry meant to say ... once we'd settled into our seats necked a glass of wine it was busy but I liked the buzz IYSWIM?

Not sure how posh it is but Balthazar in Covent Garden is quite buzzy

I had lunch at Over last week, it's just off Haymarket. It's pasta and pizza but more than bog-standard. I really enjoyed it. Really good cocktails too!

The Delaunay
J Sheeky
Brasserie Zedel

Another vote for Zidel, reasonably priced but impressive!

Browns is a little more ordinary but will do a decent pre-theatre if you’re stuck.

Zedels - although the service was a bit crap last time we were there

Or the Hakassan £39 set menu

Zedel would fit the bill I think, if they have a table

We went to Gino’s restaurant ‘Luciano’ on the weekend. Was absolutely fab! Gorgeous decor, service great and food amazing

dishoom
is v nice .
Rules is a real treat . The oldest restaurant in london it's so old fashioned but fabulous!
i think they only take reservations fir 4 people?

Boca di Lupo
Cocina Popular
Cecconis
Blacklock
Hawksmoor
Zedel

sorry...meant "Circolo Populare"

My go to for any time of day in London is

https://www.thewolseley.com

Love the good, love the slightly old fashioned mittle Europa ambiance

Cocktails in the America Bar of the Savoy first if you want to up the stakes a tad.

Thanks so much for your time and effort in replies, all; v much appreciated.

We chose Brasserie Zedel in the end...which is pretty cool and fun...and v busy - don't know if it was just half term, but we could only get a pre theatre table at 4pm, a bit earlier than ideal, but which worked out perfectly, tbh..good fun in there, nice atmos, a bit of people watching and decent enough food - would deffo recommend.

Saving the other suggestions for next time though, definitely - some v good ones!

Thanks so much again x