Dining out in London
It pays to be 'in the know' when eating out in London. This city has the best chefs, there's sometimes too much choice!
However, nothing is worse than wondering the streets hoping to stumble upon a good restaurants. Our suggestions are by no means exhaustive, we've listed some popular bistros and will be adding to weekly. London is very much a work-in-progress. However, don't miss a good meal in Chinatown and a great 'British meal' and of course 'fish and chips'.
Bistro du Vin
Part of the Hotel Du Vin and known for sharp and snazzy hotels this is their first restaurant opened near Smithfield Market. There’s a lot of competition in this area. Go for the ‘Whisky Snuggle’ meeting rooms and some great French cooking. There’s a friendly open vibe, let’s hope this one can stay open with all the competition. Try dishes like crispy lamb’s sweetbreads with sauce charcutiere (£8.75) or steak tartare (£15.95 with pommes paille as a main or £7.50 as a starter).
www.hotelduvin.com
38-42 St John Street, EC1M 4AY
Hot seat No 2 – St. John Hotel
This small and cosy hotel, favoured by locals and regular visitors to London. The Open Kitchen and intimate dining room attract those in search of good food and an excellent wine list. Dishes like juicy snails cooked with thick rashers of bacon, a simple watercress salad, and gentle lamb sweetbreads with bright green fava beans and quartered artichokes, or a simple steak and chips (go at midnight for a bargain price) and in US prices Appetizers, $12.50 to $30; main courses, $30 to $42; desserts, $7 to $13.50.
www.stjohnhotellondon.com.
1 Leicester St.Soho t: 44 3301-8020
The Hot Seat No 1– Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
The famous chef of the lauded Fat Duck now has a restaurant inner city. The meal is not all experimental but more accessible British cooking. The look is breasseries style and the large window overlook Hyde Park. Dishes like roast marrowbone, savoury porridge, rice and flesh, sirloin of Black Angus, poached rhubarb, will certainly excite the senses. The dishes all hail from either the 15th or 17th Century – explanation is given for example: a thick pork chop (1860) from a black foot pig served with a Robert sauce and "pointy cabbage" that's cooked to the perfect point between crunchy and soft. This is memorable dining! (in US dollars - Appetizers, $21 to $27; main courses, $34 to $60; dessert, $13.50 to $17).
www.dinnerbyheston.com.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge t: 0011 44 20 7201-3833,
New - Pollen Street Social
Opened in April 2011, Jason Atherton was famous for his cuisine at Maze. This is his first restaurant. Close to Hanover Square, it is sure to attract a crowd that's looking for something different with great food.
The Chefs says..."People will have the freedom of choice to have what they want, even if it's just a dessert, and wear what they want, regardless of whether they've come for a special occasion or just a drink and some tapas".
The restaurant, which seats 60, has a menu that Atherton describes as modern British with international influences, and which has been designed to offer maximum flexibility.
Open: Open Weekdays 12:30pm-3pm, 6:30pm-11pm; Sat 6:30pm-11pm
www.jasonatherton.co.uk
5 Pollen St Westminster, W1S 1 t: 020 7629 1555
Sushisamba London
This is the first European location for this New-York based chain restaurant that offer an interesting fusion of Brazillian and Peruvan dishes. Due to launch mid 2011, we're sure they will attract the same crowds and loyal fans. The views from the top of the tower should be equally as specular. There will be an option of a bar and light snacks or the more formal dining room.
Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, Bishopsgate t:
Where is the Best Afternoon Tea?
Well according to th Tea Guild it is Claridge's (voted twice No 1) but if you looking for others, Awards of excellence go to; Brown's Hotel
Grosvenor House Park Room & Library
Sofitel London St James, The Athenaeum, The Chesterfield, The Connaught, The Dorchester, The Goring, The Lanesborough, The Langham, The Milestone, The Montagu at Hyatt Regency London, The Churchill, The Montague on The Gardens, The Park Lane Hotel
The Savoy, The Ritz ... well not a lot of surprise given the quality of these hotel but a choice for the best cuppa in town with a few little sweet things on the side. With any hotel booking we will source
Geales - an upmarket 'fish and chippy' restaurant
Why go? You just don't feel like eating fish and chips out of newspaper. You want an excellent tartare sauce perhaps some mushy peas and some quality crispy batter fish. And if you don't feel like anything deep fried, there's a choice of seafood soups or just some fresh prawn and mayonnaise. Allow around 50 pounds for two.
What's not good? Portions are a little small.
Open: Monday to Friday for lunch till 3pm then dinner till 10pm Sunday only 6pm till 10pm.
www.geales.com
2 Farmer St, London W8 7SN t: 020 7727 7528
Wild Honey
This is lovely restaurant, full of wood-paneled walls, comfortable seating and professional staff. Meals beautifully presented; mainly a european influence with English produce, English snails, buttery Scottish Buccleuch beef and of course desserts with lots of 'honey' flavours. Has been voted one of London's best. See full menu online.
Tube: Oxford Circus
www.wildhoneyrestaurant.co.uk
12 George Street, t: 020 7758 9160