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Original poster

One Aldwych - anyone been?

53 replies

Beetrootccio · 13/02/2007 10:30

Did this used to be BANK?

thinking of meeting friends there - come and go type thing with kids etc. I have been told that the bar area will accommodate us

What do you reckon?

OP posts:
bakedpotato · 13/02/2007 10:34

One Aldwych wouldn't be my choice, it's fairly formal, even in the foyer/bar area. Businessy types meet there for quiet coffees etc. Acoustically lots of marble I think.
Bank is nearby, v child-friendly, I'd go there instead

Original poster
Beetrootccio · 13/02/2007 10:35

Bank is the resturant? is it a bar as well? is it a place to family and firends to meet?

OP posts:
Mumpbump · 13/02/2007 10:36

I agree. There are loads of tacky, but child-friendly places in Covent Garden which I would go for in preference to this...

Original poster
Beetrootccio · 13/02/2007 10:37

well name them - I am looking and looking

OP posts:
bakedpotato · 13/02/2007 10:39

Bank is a few mins from One Aldwych.

It's got a bar, and a restaurant too.

If you go at w/e there's a kids menu/kids drawing/books table

They are v childfriendly, and no one turned a hair when DD sprayed her breakfast all over the mirrored walkway as we were going in for lunch

(She felt fine after that and had a nice meal and we tipped the guy with the bucket)

bakedpotato · 13/02/2007 10:43

Bank website here -- were you planning a weekend meeting? It's the Sunday brunches that are particularly geared to famblies

Original poster
Beetrootccio · 13/02/2007 10:44

we are planing a come and go meeting with mates on tuersday afternoon

OP posts:
bakedpotato · 13/02/2007 10:48

prob not a good bet then
Somerset House is nearby: big courtyard for running around, plus cafes?

Original poster
Beetrootccio · 13/02/2007 10:49

are there cafes that you can have wine etc? and just sit adn chat/

OP posts:
bakedpotato · 13/02/2007 10:55

restaurant closes in afternoon but you can get booze at the deli
Only had quick coffee here, wouldn't say deli is necessarily a place to lounge all afternoon

Original poster
Beetrootccio · 13/02/2007 10:57

hmm- not sure that is what we nend - maybe go into covent garden - www suggested this

OP posts:
Mumpbump · 13/02/2007 10:58

here are some child-friendly restaurants

I know there are also a few places on the Strand, like Pizza Hut (can't stand it myself!) and Pizza Express just opposite Charing Cross station...

Which station do you come into?

Original poster
Beetrootccio · 13/02/2007 11:00

trouble is we don't need a resturant,

here is my first thread relaxed

OP posts:
bakedpotato · 13/02/2007 11:06

just looked at other thread -- Carluccio's? Booze, open all day, cakes, children like it

this one is pretty close to Oxford Circus/TopShop etc

Bugsy2 · 13/02/2007 11:07

Blimey Beety, I wouldn't go to One Aldwych with kids. It is poncy minimalist stuff. I quite like it for when I'm being taken out to lunch, but I would feel far from relaxed with the Buggettes in tow!

For central London, these are fairly kid friendly restaurants:

Giraffe Blandford Street
6-8 Blandford Street, W1U 4AU
Tel 020 7935 2333

Tootsies
35 James St
W1U 1EA
Tel 020 7486 1611

Masala Zone
9 Marshall Street, W1F 7ER
Tel 020 7287 9966

Mine are huge fans of Giraffe & Tootsies are always a reliable safe bet.

Original poster
Beetrootccio · 13/02/2007 11:09

we don't need a resturant though as we will be hanging aroudn all afternoon. No buggies, kids mainly 7 and over. Carluccios is one of my fav places but is defo tables not sofa type relaxed places.

OP posts:
Bugsy2 · 13/02/2007 11:10

OK, get your drift - must have missed first thread.
Hotel bar is your best bet then. Whereabouts in London do you want to be exactly?

Original poster
Beetrootccio · 13/02/2007 11:12

cetnral - so kids can wander off to ox street or CG.

OP posts:
Mumpbump · 13/02/2007 11:17

What about the Pitcher & Piano near St. Martin's in the Field? They have sofas upstairs and I'm pretty sure they do food. I wouldn't have thought it's going to be that busy during the day...

Original poster
Beetrootccio · 13/02/2007 11:23

i have emialed them to ask thanks

OP posts:
bundle · 13/02/2007 11:26

No Bank is on the other corner..bar area is v nice, had glass of champagne/nuts one evening pre-theatre (£10 a glass gives you an idea). lots of city types there...

Bugsy2 · 13/02/2007 11:39

St Christopher's place might work well then. There are about 7 cafes there, it is just off Oxford St.
Selfridges also have a good eaterie place, where you can get a glass of wine.

bundle · 13/02/2007 11:40

the sofa thing is hard in c london (have tried for knitting group, need good nibbly food, smoke-free and good lighting..) so will watch this with interest...
i would have thought pitcher & piano were a bit no-children (had this experience with the literally empty slug n lettuce type places during first few months of maternity leave..)

Original poster
Beetrootccio · 13/02/2007 11:41

Bugsy in the summer but not sure it would work in the winter. Need a loungy place

OP posts:
Bugsy2 · 13/02/2007 11:54

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh, your a hard woman to please!
Will think some more & let you know if I have any brainwaves.