"Special" London restaurant for lunch with 16 year old

[trickynicky]

Can anyone recommend any great restaurants in central London that we can take our dd 16 to for her birthday? We are taking her to a matinee in the West End and would like a lovely lunch beforehand. She's a real foody but our budget is not unlimited! Any ideas/thoughts really welcome, thanks!

Fortnum and mason

Sanderson hotel

The restaurant at the National Portrait Gallery is fantastic with really lovely views, as is the Skylon restaurant at the Royal Festival Hall. You would spend about £40 each at Skylon, I think, although there are often discounts in the Evening Standard (which you can get online).

J sheekeys and Hix are lovely

Yauatcha is great but pricey for really delicious foodie Chinese. My 16 year old loved Zedel. We took 12 year old to Joe Allen's recently for a late dinner as that is very theatrical! Skylon good too. Or on Aldwych Delaunay is stylish though menu slightly odd and schnitzel heavy.

Depends on what she fancies. There is an American BBQ pit style place that I love called Bodeans. You have to wait for a table though so get there ASAP after the show. It's spectacular though.

There is a restaurant and brasserie in the Oxo tower - lovely views over the thames.

Skylon a shot walk up the embankment.

Also, isn't there a new pop up on the roof of Selfridges?

i was going to say delaunay's too, but v traditional food, so depends what you're after

Asia De Cuba. Right area, nice decor for a youngun, good food. They sometimes have deals on m.opentable.co.uk/restaurants/asia-de-cuba-london/4051?Rid=4051&restref=&ref=4220&sp=ttgoogleppc

op did you want this in "property"?

Or Duck and Waffle. Bit further away though from theatre land

Busaba Eathai. Not amazingly fancy but Thai food to die for

Hush just off bond St, v trendy but not stonkingly expensive

Set lunch at Dinner by Heston is pretty special and relatively good value if your budget will stretch to it and you've got enough time to book ahead.

The Ivy maybe?

Both Riding House Cafe www.ridinghousecafe.co.uk and Scandi kitchen www.scandikitchen.co.uk/?page_id=30 are good places for lunch and not far to walk from Oxford Circus.

Inamo on Wardour street. Delicious Asian fusion food and cool interactive screen tables which I think a 16 yr old would enjoy!

This is a good place. It's close to where you want to be, and it's just beautiful inside. It feels very London, because it's very unique.

Good food etc too. Creme brûlée was amazing, but this was a few years ago...

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d680483-Reviews-Criterion_Restaurant-London_England.html

Nopi - the ottolenghi restaurant

Polpo - the Venetian Bacaro

Wolseley - classic

Bob bob Ricard is a cool interior

J Sheekey is divine and the oyster bar is a bit less pricey

Wild honey is also fantastic, the food is unbelievable and you can order wine by the small carafe

Oh an arbutus (the sister to wild honey) is also excellent and I believe has a fixed price lunch menu

agree, J sheekey lovely and v. handy for the theatre. they do a prix fixe lunch at the weekends. Or Andrew Edmunds is cheaper, but still feels special.

J Sheekey, The wolesey or Cecconi's

How about Rules? London's oldest restaurant, specialises in British classics, great setting. I love it

Took our DD here for her 21st and go often both to the Oyster Bar downstairs (informal) and the restaurant, They're always lovely there and the food is impeccable while being great value - just watch out for wine prices, not outrageous but all central London places also add 12½% service charge to your overall bill. Theatre Land is an easy tube journey away, so lunch timings would work well and if you're going in August they have a special menu
LINK

Duck and Waffle in Heron Tower is pretty special. It's on 40th floor with incredible views. The glass lifts really are something! While it is not in theatreland it is very close to Liverpool St station and turns tables very fast. If your table was at midday you could easily be in town for a matinee.
And if you tell them it's DD's birthday they will bring out sweets and chocs on a plate iced with happy birthday in chocolate. Actually a lot of places will do that if told in advance so make sure you do, wherever you go.

Totally depends on your budget and what you're looking for....

The Alice in Wonderland afternoon tea at the Sanderson is amazing - around £38 but worth every penny I think personally.

Cheaper alternative to afternoon tea is any of the ones at the firmdale hotels (Covent Garden, Haymarket, Charlotte St are the best) they're about £22.50, and I go back time and time again.

Sophie's on Wellington st is fab too, decor makes it feel quite cool and edgy, and food is fab (steaks, pasta etc) and they do theatre menus at about £15.

Bodeans as someone else suggested is unbelievable if you like barbeque. Queues are huge though and you can't book! Have to put your name on a list and prepare to wander.

Pollen st social is just off regent st and is now Michelin star but still has fab set menus at about £25 for two courses. If she's a Saturday kitchen watcher Jason Atherton is the owner who is on a lot. They also have a cute thing where when you go in they give you a key, and when you leave it opens a little locker and inside is something for you, mine was a scone and a posh tea bag to have in the afternoon!

Absolute best bargain in town though is Belgo. Just behind Urban Outfitters on Neal st in Covent garden, their lunch menu is £7.95 including a drink and is the best sweet chilli chicken, sausage and mash or mussels you'll find in London. Restaurant is underground with tables in the tube arches, and has been featured on masterchef. Waiters are dressed as monks. Sounds weird but is awesome and the one place I always take people when they come to visit.