London restaurants for special lunch

[Jcee]

It's my 40th in May and DP and I are planning to go out for a boozy lunch to celebrate, if I ever manage to make my mind up on where to go!

Would need to be central London and DP is paying! Neither of us are fussy eaters and so open to ideas but I would like somewhere special/memorable

Was considering Petrus but have seen mixed reviews online - anyone been?

Or any other recommendations?

Am lurching on here if you dont mind im going next month for my hubbys 40th was wondering same!!

The Hempel used to be nice. Not been for a long, long time though.

Oo, oo, we went for lunch at Dinner (at Mandarin Oriental at Hyde Park) at the weekend, it was amazing! I was a bit unsure of some of the things before hand but everything was so good!

(Disclaimer: we don't get out much any more, usually a meal out is at Zizis when they've got an offer on!)

dabbous.co.uk/
www.theboundary.co.uk/
www.hakkasan.com/#
www.finorestaurant.com/
www.scotts-restaurant.com/
www.thedelaunay.com/

Oxo tower is lovely and fantastic view of the thames so ask to sit near the window.

We loved Corrigans they took so much trouble for DHs birthday, just off Park Lane nice walk in the park before then a stroll down bond street afterwards.

locanda locatelli is lovely. Fantastic service, very friendly.

I can vouch for all of these-

Saint John - a classic which has never served us an indifferent meal. Not evening-y though

Floridita - Cuban

Mr Chows- Chinese institution

Skylon - jaw dropping views

Spice Market, Leicester Squ

Hawksmoor (if you like steak!) in Seven Dials or Guildhall

Bocca Di Lupo - my favourite

Tierra Peru - new cuisine, said to be the next 'thing'

Dean St Townhouse - modern English

Cinnamon Soho - Indian, no politicians

Hix Soho - reliable.

Da Polpo - love it

Locanda Locatelli - THE best Italian and a great evening place

Jugged Hare - relaxed vibe

Moro - Spanish and Middle Eastern; great for lots of smaller courses.

not been for a while but have been to benares - indian a few times it was very special

As mummymeister said, the OXO tower which is a Harvey Nichols restaurant is just beautiful!! View of the Thames is wonderful and the food is sublime! We went there for my Grandmother's 65th and had such a fabulous time we have subsequently been for every family (significant) birthday!

Wow thanks - loads of ideas here - I'll do some research and decide!

Clos Magirore (spellings) in Convent Garden with lunch offers on toptables.

Romantic and lovely food. Book a table in the conseratory.

Afternoon tea at the ritz? (think you can book tables from 11;30) it's lovely for a sense of occaision.

Gordon Ramsay at claridges for old school elegance?

Nobu for somewhere modern?

Just to follow up on this for anyone looking for somewhere to go for a special event. We went to Petrus for lunch and had a fabulous time.

Not cheap, especially the wine list, but lovely for a special event. There is a £30 3 course lunch or you can go a la carte at £65 for 3 courses, which is the same price at night. We had the lunch menu and it was delish.

Very attentive service, wonderful food and a couple of unexpected in between courses and everything was very leisurely so we didn't feel rushed. DP and I had a lovely time - we ordered wine by the glass because the wine list was a bit out of our price range (cheapest bottle £40) but we werent made to feel bad about it and the sommelier was helpful and recommended wine by the glass to match our food and his recommendations were spot on!

We got offered a tour of the kitchen at the end and opportunity to meet the chef, which was great to meet the people who made our food and to see the kitchen in full flow.

All in all, a fab day out for a memorable birthday!

I love love love The Orrery for lunch, fantastic food and the staff are really lovely. Plus it's on Marylebone High Street, so you can have a boozy browse in Daunt's Books afterwards.

Still got to be Clos Maggiore, table in the conservatory.