Hello. Since in my last post, I was warned against going to an English steakhouse, what are your favorite higher end restaurants in London? I'm looking to splurge one night and need some suggestions. Thanks!

I think that was only against the Aberdeen Angus Steakhouse and similar chain restaurants. If you want a good steak and french fries, try any of the Chez Gerard restaurants.

I really like Boxwood Cafe, in the Berkeley Hotel (it's a Gordon Ramsey restaurant).

Hi U,

If you want a traditional (some might call it fusty and old-fashioned) check out Simpson's in the Strand.

http://tinyurl.com/8nhsr


Interestingly, their dress code requires a jacket and tie at lunch, but not at dinner.

Rules is where I plan on going in June since my boss still raves about it.

There are sooooo many - you say "splurge" but we'll really need to know about what you want to spend. Some higher end London Restaurants are VERY higer end . . . . .

I think Rules is wonderful. Have probably been there a dozen times and have never had even a minor complaint about anything. Of course it's pretty traditional (and mostly artery-clogging) food, so don't go expecting cutting edge or trendy.

Simpson's sort of tries to do the same traditional food but with a whole lot plainer atmosphere, but frankly I've had two bad meals there -- no more.

I think Pot auPoule is also wonderful (in the Sloane Square area). Very country French and just delightful.

Certainly for a splurge you'd have to consider one of Gordon Ramsey's places.

You'll have enough time (and even if you wanted a reservation on the day/tomorrow they'll always have tables at 11pm) to reserve The Ivy. Lots of traditional favourites such as "bangers and mash", very high quality British(ish) food, faultless service, and you're always guaranteed a good meal!

Any of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants would also come recommended. However, for me (and perhaps for someone who enjoys their steaks, i.e. simple, unfussy food) it is The Ivy who can serve simple dishes done well that is more impressive than somewhere serving more elaborate creations which can often be disappointing!

Patrick, I think you mean La Poule au Pot, on Ebury St. It's early in the day!!

Interesting about the Ivy. I know it's insanely popular and considered "the place for celebrity spotting", but we've only eaten there once -- after theatre. The service was horrible. When we arrived at 10 we would have liked to place an order in less than 45 minutes but all we kept getting was an "I'll be with you when I can". To his credit, our server did send someone else to get a drink order from us. And the food was simply mediocre and terribly bland -- we were told later we should have had fish as they do that very well. That makes sense, since J. Sheekey, a sister restaurant is wonderful for fish.

Jody. Oh my, I even type backwards before my coffee. So right. Would my name have been a pot in a chicken?

Even more interesting about having fish. It's one of the things I'd never ever contemplate ordering at The Ivy as it's not particularly a "fish restaurant". As for service, perhaps you caught them on an off day - not that there should be any. However, I am basing my opinion on countless visits over the past decades.

In all fairness we were, as I said, doing after theatre and everyone was pouring into the place at the same time, around 10 PM so it was more than a little chaotic. Perhaps the chaos extended to the kitchen as well. I can't believe the place remains so popular if our food was typical of the place, so it probably wasn't.

But by the way, for what it's worth, this year Harden's named the Ivy the second "most disappointing" restaurant in London -- for the second year in a row. This is despite it also being on their list of 10 most favorite restaurants. Go figure.

We recently had a superb meal at Galvin - http://www.galvinbistrotdeluxe.co.uk/

excellent food and good prices too. Just thinking about it is making my mouth water!

Thanks, Cailin. I had read about Galvin and forgotten. It's now on my list for March.

Notting Hill Brasserie is fantastic and in a lovely neighborhood. gorgeous but not stuffy with a pianist and upright bassist playing jazz. Non-smoking. Food is amazing.

We enjoyed Rules years ago when we went. But if you are interested in steak, we had a very good steak dinner at Gaucho Grill in Holbern.

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But by the way, for what it's worth, this year Harden's named the Ivy the second "most disappointing" restaurant in London
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i have no attachment to the ivy but it should be noted that the exact same survey also named it as one of the top 10 restaurants in london (i believe even within the top 5)--too lazy to look it up but i know the survey you mean. since it seems to be a 'love it or hate it' kind of place, it's not a surprise that it made both lists in a survey of the public.

Yes, walkinaround, if you read my full post, you'll see I already mentioned that in an attempt to be fair.

Actually the Ivy was # 8 for "top gastronomic experience",#2 for favorite restaurant, #2 for most disappointing, # 5 for best for romance, and # 5 for most overpriced.
But then even Gordon Ramsey/ Claridge's was #4 on most disappointing despite being #2 on top gastronomic experience right behind #1, the other Gordon Ramsey.

I guess all this really shows is that what some people swoon over, others find disappointing.

By the way, my partner and I love good game dishes. He'd loves venison loin, simply prepared, and I love partridge or grouse or pheasant, served with traditional British side dishes and desserts. We'd like to go to a dressy and elegant place surrounded by antiques and featuring fine service -- something more "atmospherically British".

Since Rules is considered rubbish, could some of you give us a list of places that would suitably replace Rules with the above criteria for our future visits to London? This is a type of dining we can't get at home and I'd enjoy as a nice change from the typical "modern cuisine" places which abound now both in London and at home. I'm willing to try a replacement, I just don't know what they'd be.