Special restaurant in London for a 40th present

[user1473602935]

I'm so out of the loop with good restaurants in London these days so hoping you can help!

As a joint 40th present, I'd like to treat my brother and sister in law to dinner somewhere (just the two of them, not with me), to a nice meal somewhere special but thats fun or a bit quirky as opposed to just being posh

Looking to spend around £300 inc booze (and they like a drink!)

Central or south west London would be ideal

Or I could do dinner and a night in a hotel and pay a bit more

Atelier Joel Robuchon

Barrafina

The Ritz

the food at Chichetti is very good. nice atmosphere. personal service
www.google.ca/search?q=cicchetti%20restaurant&ie=&oe=&npsic=0&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=51510890,-127873,522&tbm=lcl&rldimm=12343805066239939165&ved=0ahUKEwjJkfymo93VAhVD4mMKHa9hD4oQvS4IUTAB&rldoc=1&tbs=lrf:!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:9

Anywhere in the shard - aqua, public, hutong etc. They all need 2-3 months lead time to book, especially on a weekend. The views are worth it and it's really memorable.

As per pp, I like hakkasan but beware it's REALLY loud. Think people shouting at each other over the tables to be heard because it's underground.

The Savoy is another great one and I think several choices of restaurant, lovely bar too.

Really nice idea, I would be delighted

One more, the "in" place to go at the moment for sleb spotting is the Chiltern Firehouse (although it's probably changed now to somewhere else)

How about Murano, in Mayfair ( I think?) classy, sophisticated - without being completely intimidating, really good value tasting menu, should come in at £300 easily with a fair amount of booze - think you can have paired wines with the courses, if you want. One of the courses was a risotto with quail that actually bought a tear to my eye it was so good. Bocca de Lupo is really good, but again, loud and a bit bustling for a intimate dinner?

Barrafina is delicious food but you can't book & have to queue up. You then sit next to each other at a bar & whilst I love going there it isn't a celebration birthday place, it's excellent food in a fun atmosphere.

I've had mixed experiences at Chiltern Firehouse as have friends so can't recommend it. Last time we went they didn't have the wine we wanted & the sommelier recommended a different wine, didn't say how much it was & DH didn't ask. It cost nearly £200 for the bottle (+ service). Most sommeliers would suggest a wine in the same price range. Friends had a similar experience.

I second Bocca Di Lupo: went with a big group for a deal celebration dinner and the food was fab, also a real buzz to the place.

You said central or south west so how about Chez Bruce in Wandsworth.
I would prefer somewhere nice and localish than somewhere that was a schlep to get to (or too much like my commute)...

The Glasshouse in Kew has a Michelin star & delicious food. Depends where they are in SW London.

Chez Bruce by a mile, the glasshouse in Kew is their sister restaurant but nowhere near as good. La trompette in Chiswick. Is better than glasshouse but not chez Bruce. £300 would be more than enough.

Another vote for Clos Maggiore here but definitely request - and confirm - a table in the Conservatory.

Personally, I love the restaurant at The Ritz. Great food in a gorgeous environment. They do bloody lovely birthday cakes too.

Chez Bruce is a superlative neighbourhood restaurant with fabulous cooking, but perhaps not Wow enough.

La Petite Maison or Scott's.

I had a lovely meal at Aqua at the shard for my 40th. The food was good, cocktails lovely and the view was, of course, spectacular.

Thank you BigGreenOlives I thought I was going mad

Some brilliant suggestions here - I'm going to use this for my DH's birthday too!

Place marking for future ref!

Galvin at Windows (park lane Hilton) has views over London, a different side to the shard

Chez Bruce or The Ledbury. I still have dreams about the Ledbury.

Sarastro in theatre land.

Sushi samba is fabulous - also Roka, Bleeding Heart restaurant in Farringdon or for a supper romantic meal Andrew Edmunds (not high end dining, small restaurant but lovely eating space on the ground floor and they get to spend more on booze!)

I think Sushi Samba is too noisy - when we've been it's been full of families celebrating 18ths & 21sts and it is LOUD.

Superram I've been to the Glasshouse twice since May and would rate the menu as more interesting than La Trompette. Haven't made it over to Wandsworth to Chez Bruce. Is it where Harvey's was years ago?

Just went to Sushi Samba tonight. I didnt mind the noise but maybe its not quite romantic and intimate. But fantastic skyscraper views of the city and lovely food.

Sorry I haven't read the whole thread but just to say Fredricks in Islington is gorgeous and well worth a look and they do vouchers

Bob bob ricard
Social eating house
Coya
Lima

... there's also a great Indian with tasting menu but can't remember name.. gimme a minute!