Good restaurant - central London or SW London/Surrey - suggestions needed!

[willow2]

Have prevaricated for so long as to what to do for my 40th at the end of the month that I have lost the will to live. But have just seen the date and realise that have probably left it far too late to get into a "special" restaurant - so can anyone recommend a good/great one that isn't so fashionable that I should have put my name down at birth... or at least two months ago? Central or SW London favoured locations.

ooh I love the food at the Glasshouse but I think the right table there is very key - I've had some very odd table placements (including one seemingly in the middle of the room).

Rules is fantastic if you like your meat - sort of traditional English food.

Bleeding Heart is definitely still good as DH has been there three times in the last month. Without me. Grump.

sophable - isn't it Eight over Eight on King's Road? Or has it been demoted?

If you can make it out to Blackheath, Chapter 2 is fab!

willow you could try Le Cercle or Club Gascon (only been to the latter but sophable has been to the former I think)

I would second Enoteca Turi in Putney

Le Rousillon is the biz you may well get in there as for some reason it is not so well known. Quite hushed atmosphere, but the food is amazing.

roussillon website here

Le vacherin is supposed to be vg btw, is on my list of places to visit

Agree with you re Redmonds is not the best

Wait just one cotton-picking minute. You are not all allowed to come to Enoteca Turi, let alone go round recommending it to people, because that's my local restaurant, about 5 minutes' walk from my flat, where we can generally get a table at short notice even midweek if we're prepared to be flexible about times, and if it gets packed out with Mumsnetters then we won't be able to do that any more and I shall be extremely cross. OK?

Right, glad we've sorted that one out...

Well lemonaid it used to be 3 mins walk from my house so ner I am allowed to recommend it if I like

No to hushed. Want to have fun. Nice food, good atmosphere type thing. So can get bit merry without worrying other people think we are scum.

Not "even midweek", just "midweek", obviously...

ok Roussillon prob not for you then

hmmm

will have a think

How about La Famiglia that is great place here in one of the roads opposite Chelsea and Westminster, v laid back, great Italian food

I've had a couple of nice meals at Le Vacherin. As I recall the decor is the worst thing about the place. Sam's Brasserie in Chiswick is nice, as is High Road (the new Soho House place), although both are buzzy brasseries rather than smart restaurants.

(food a bit Riva ish iykwim)

The Gaucho Grill in Swallow St is fun if you ask for a round corner table even more so I should think (provided you are all carnivores)

Mmmm Club Garcon (Homer Simpson drool) It has sections on it's menu for cold fois gras and another for hot fois gras.

I've also had good experiences at Baltic, near Waterloo Bridge.

Gordon Ramsey's in Chelsea remains the best place I have ever eaten. I've had some great meals at The Square, though.

you have to book a month in advance for Gordon Ramsay so no good

oooo for goodtimeness go to eight over eight (yes earlybird, i am memoryless since ds was born). really good fun.

eight over eight on kings road.

locanda locatelli. VERY nice, not snooty in the slightest. You may get lucky if it's not a weekend.

Giorgio can do no wrong in my eyes. Also encourages kids at his restaurant.

Thanks for all your suggestions. Even if I don't make them for my 40th, I now have a good restaurant guide to work my way through!