My wife and I are planning to go to Rules for our one nice dinner in London. I had a couple questions.

1. Are Dockers and a dress shirt dressy enough for Rules? I'd rather not bring a coat on vacation.
2. What is the best time of day to walk around Covent Garden and see all the shops and markets? Should we plan a late dinner to walk around the area in the early evening or plan an early dinner (5:30-6) and walk around after or will everything be closed?

Thanks!

I was curious so I looked on their web site. It states "jacket and tie not required; smart casual, no shorts". The web site is impressive, if you haven't already been on it.

You don't say when you are going to be in London. From April at least through September, it stays light fairly late and Covent Garden is very active until late. I can't remember any distinctive shops in the market but there are street entertainers, sidewalk cafes, shops in the main pavilion, and market staffs (the stalls are not that great IMO), etc. Lots of shops in the surrounding streets.

My preference would be to book for 7:30 or 8:00 pm and get there early and walk around a bit and/or see more after your meal.

There has been a lot of comment on this site about how poor Rules is and what a rip off it is....

I agree, do a pre-deinner stroll - even sit at one of the cafe tables for a nice aperitif.
I loved Rules - lots of folks on this board don't for one reason or another.
The artwork on the walls of famous politicians like Maggie Thatcher are very amusing!
The only teensy little critism about the Roast Beef is that the Yorkshire pudding was far too big and took up virtually the whole plate! Other than that we had a lovely dinner. The waiters dressed in the customary black pants and long white aprons were speaking a foreing language to each other.

I hope your evening is great!

Dinner at 5:30 is not going to be very atmospheric at Rules. I would stroll around, perhaps have a drink, then go to eat closer to 8 pm when the clientele will be at least partly British.

Some love Rules, some hate it. But I can honestly say I've not ever had a bad meal there. The uber traditional setting/menu does put some off, but I always find something really special on the menu. And the service is VERY good.

Just depends on if you want a really traditional/old fashioned experience, or a more modern/foodie vibe. The ingredients, preparation, service, wine list etc are really good -- but some would call it stodgy. I do try to go there maybe every 3rd trip to London - but I have been called stodgy a time or two myself

5:30-6:00 is much too early IMO though. Try for 8:30 - 9:00 ish.

How do I hate Rules. Let me count the ways....

It's an over priced tourist trap with pony food.

If you want that sort of environment and don't want to be shafted, try the River Room at the Savoy (or plenty of others I can suggest). But under no circs eat at Rules.

>>Some love Rules, some hate it.<<

Agree to have a look at Covent Garden first (but be aware that a lot is tschotkes no one really wants - my teen step daughters loved it)., And I can;t imagine having dinner at 5 in the afternoon in a decent restaurant - if it's open that early.

Unejam1, get your cocktail at Rules.

Yesterday Simon Majumdar put Rules on the top 10 list of the Guardian's Insiders' Guide to Historic Restaurants: "While other places try to reinvent the meal with foodie fads and slick decor, these classic European restaurants – chosen by our epicurean experts – have barely changed in a century or more"

He put it there chiefly for the bar:

" Rules is currently experiencing something of a renaissance. In 2008, a private dining room was transformed into the best bar in London under the legendary barman Brian Silva. A cocktail there is an absolute must before you descend to the restaurant for supper. Rules continues to offer the best of traditional British dishes such as oysters, potted shrimp, steak and kidney pudding and rib sticking desserts. Having spent time in its kitchen, I can testify to the quality of the ingredients all year round. However, it is in cooking game that the kitchen really comes into its own, with grouse from its own moors and venison from its own herds served in comfortably formal style by the liveried waiters."

Pony food, Chummers?
I wouldn't fancy hay, but perhaps a nice carrot or crunchy apple?

Pony and trap = not very good.

You'll have to learn the lingo.