Weekend in London, want recommendations of places to eat/shop/visit please

[christmosschops30]

Taking dh for a treat in January. We are going to see a show on the Haymarket so am looking for somewhere nice to eat beforehand (we are coming from Russell Sq).
Also thinking about the London Eye is it worth it?
And would like to do some posh shopping, dont want to see the usual TopShop/Oasis/Debenhams would love to walk past Mulberry/Baleciaga/Prada etc, and maybe even go in
TIA

London Eye probably is worth it, yes. Book ahead. we did a dusk 'flight' once and that was beautiful. And it's really lovely to stroll along the south bank from there to Tate modern, cross the river and walk back along the other bank. And the South Bank centre (next to the Eye) has loads of lovely places to eat. and music to see. but it's not near haymarket. you could go to the original pizza express? used to be quite groovy and 70s but i haven't been for a while.

The London Eye is well worth it.

Go to Liberty and drool at the banisters/designer clothes.

Was just coming on to say exactly what Janeite said!

Once you've done Libertys have a mooch through SoHo, and Carnaby St and the road parallel - Newburgh St.

Well am looking for somewhere Friday night to eat near haymarket (Criterion/Planet Hollywood? suggested online)
But Saturday is shops (so where are the designers, tube wise), then a dusk flight sounds lovely, will book that in advance, what time do you reckon for end of Jan? Then a walk along the river yay sounds lovely, how far away is all that from Russell Square tube, I have no idea about any of it really

Thanks so much for suggestions

For designer shopping, you could go to New Bond Street (behind Oxford Street). I think there's a Prada there. Mulberry is in St Christopher's Place (on other side of Oxford Street)
Or, a better option might be to take the tube to Knightsbridge (on same tube line as Russell Square) and walk along Sloane Street, go into Harvey Nichols and Harrods.

Eating on Friday night near Haymarket - what about National Gallery / National Portrait Gallery. Can't remember which I was told had fantastic views over London.

Oh god I forgot Harrods and Harvey Nicks, yep have to do that too, in fact thats better than the odd designer shop. Can we walk to both from Oxford Street, and then how far to eye?

Have booked London Eye now for 4pm on the Saturday, so excited cant wait

Clos Majore in Covent Garden is the best restaurant in London - you have to go it is just fab.

Is it horrendously expensive MadameC? I dont mind paying about £20-30 a head, would it be too far from the Haymarket to eat on the Friday night, I know Shatftsbury Ave/Covent Garden/Picc Circus all fairly close

I wouldn't recommend Planet Hollywood - it looks a bit tatty inside now unless they've redecorated it.

Ruby Blues in Leicester Square was v nice when I went there and it has a bar/club underneath as well.

Harrods is in Knightsbridge so it would be a bit of a step from Oxford Street. You could get a bus or go on the tube (get an Oyster card and stick about £10 on each for the weekend as this works out cheaper than a one-day travelcard).

MadameC have just looked at the website, it looks divine

Thanks for that sally, need loads more tips like that

So you have to walk along New Bond St then for the posh shops. Knightsbridge is a mare at this time of year. Eating... hmmm not sure around there as it is pretty touristy (there is a Pizza Express up the road but at least you won't get food poisoning. Chinatown? If you are near Selfridges, go up St Christophers place and up along MArylebone High St (nice lights this year). On Marylebone Lane there is a nice Italian whose name escapes me (Caldesi!) - there is the cafe and the restaurant. Both are nice. There is also on that road the Woodlands Indian (vegetarian) and the Golden Hynde (proper old fashioned fish and chip shop).

London Eys is FAB!

If you do New Bond Street then you'd neet to get a can to the Eye but it's not very far and you will go via Regent St/Picadilly Circus/Parliament so worth the trip.

That depends if you drink lots of wine there - the fopod is fab and not overly expensive for the lovely stuff you get - we spent a fortune on wine there though - was thoroughly sozzled and had a great night.

try Le Palais du Jardin Covent G...fabulous Seafood Platter that are just amazing! also serve meats but renounced for fish/moule/oysters

check out this website to see what shops are where, eg new bond st
www.streetsensation.co.uk/

thanks missmelly, am gonna start planning again over the next few weeks as we go on 30th Jan

Mon Plaisir in Covent Garden is a fab French restaurant which has a pre-theatre menu that's very good value.

thanks meg, the pre-theatre menu does look very reasonable, do you know how far from the Haymarket this is?

I would say about a 15-minute walk?

Oh that would be great , do you book and say where you'd like to be sat or do they just put you where they have space?
Is it very posh?

mismelly that site is amazing, but a bit overwhelming
In reality if I get off the tube at picadilly circus and do regent street, could I do Bond Street too in the same day? Where is best to end up on saturday as we have to be at the eye for 3.30pm

If you have a tube pass for the day, you could jump back on the tube at Bond St station (on Oxford St) and take the Jubilee Line straight down to Waterloo to go on The Eye

Bond Street is a short street so that would take no time. If you want to drool over designer shops and gawp at smart women whose hair doesn't move then Knightsbridge is better than Oxford St.

Planet Hollywood is a dump.

When we took DS to see Joseph we pre-booked Cafe Rouge in Covent Garden. Lovely food and reasonably priced for a London meal.

if you are around waterloo for the eye, i would suggest EV's for somewhere to eat. this is my very fave place at the mo! i will find a link in a mo...