I have to plan a party [cringe] - for my mother. I need a London venue PLEASE HELP ME

[ahundredtimes]

So her needs and desires are thus:

Lunch for about 25 people.

Somewhere lovely but low-key yet sufficiently glamorous [sigh]

'Like a gastropub' she said, 'a nice one with a garden for the children.'

Does anyone have ANY ideas? I don't know nuffink.

I am lolol at low key yet sufficiently glamorous (i.e. not that low key)

it hasn't been when we've been there but I have a feeling the people whose parties we were at had a say in the menus....not sure...the food was good though.

I must dash.....toodle pip.

Oh good. Okay. See you later. Good suggestion then if not weddingy food.

I shall have to have a say in the menu? [Fear]

I think what we want is easy, casual glamour. [sigh] God, I mean don't we all want that?

Kensington Roof gardens?

The Cross Keys, The Pig's Ear or The Cheyne Walk Brasserie - all in Chelsea all very nice.

prob is a bit weddingy....not v pub like

the Babylon is nice too (what breadandroses said), good menus, food more like what you are after maybe. Right, am really off .

Thank you Bertieboo - they look lovely, but I worry that perhaps not sufficient outside space. This is the challenge. Somewhere lovely and easy and glamorous, with somewhere for five children to trip off to in between courses. I don't think they have that do they?

Breadandroses - good thought on the Babylon. Am going to ring them too.

What about The Orangery Kensington gardens!?

Oooh... So many good ideas...

I love the look of Odettes.... Am going to try that one myself!!

A100times - Let us know what you decide!!

Message withdrawn

NO GLITTERY KNITWEAR.

I can't do glittery knitwear.

is in May.

Will be tea dresses and cool shoes. And that will be my mother. I shall be in a hot looking linen suit I will have bought in a panic and an ill-fitting shirt which gapes at the cleavage and I will think I look like a man, and my mother will be all elegant and lovely with slender wrists.

This is how it will be.

Have been away and busy.

How about the Babylon Roof Gardens? www.roofgardens.com/home_flash/

I had my birthday lunch here ..19 people inc kids ..Lovely food ,great attentive service and gardens ! Great value set price lunch deals ... Try to avoid clash with wedding so you can go out in the gardens ..If you can plan for a Sunday,as parking pants on a Saturday ..Very close to Ken High st tube .

My DH had his 40th at the Compleat Angler and it was super. We had loads of kids there and they all stayed around until midnight.

I'd say that place is very child friendly (and even catered for the dog).

Would recommend it.