Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Time To Think About London Restaurants

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Yeah I saw that Merchant closure too. Had even written down Nikki's quail nibbles suggestion! Too bad, as we'll be renting nearby.
OP MT, I've remained in touch with that eatery that would allow Remi. Apparently, they are now willing to allow you in as well, if you agree to attend Obedience School pts 1+2 (i.e. part one in La Jolla then part two upon arrival).

I am done. the Ol Blighty

Quote:

Originally Posted by maitaitom (Post 17322473)

As usual, I'm planning way too early on where to dine for our three nights in London, which will start (hopefully) our England/Scotland journey in May. We arrive on the final day of the Platinum Jubilee Celebration (I'd fire my travel agent if it wasn't me). After going back and forth, we are staying in our London home away from home, The Bailey's across from Gloucester Road tube station (guess I'll have to relearn how to pronounce Gloucester).

We arrive in early afternoon, so I thought we'd just take a short walk to Light of India for dinner (unless told by you guys it is horrible). Thought I'd let the troops rest the first night before our always rigorous schedule.

The next two nights we are open to any type of cuisine in any part of the city. Of course, stupid Covid has wreaked havoc on restaurants, but any suggestions of places you have enjoyed recently are appreciated. Cheers!

Just returned last night. Mortimer House near Oxford Circus is amazing! (Mortimer St just off Regent Street). On a Friday night, with no reservation, they seated us "in the back" which was to the delight of the two chefs in our group as they had a direct sight line to the open kitchen. We ordered all but two dishes on the menu and were not disappointed. The dishes are creative and well-seasoned, great wine and beer list with specialty cocktails (we had some of all of the above.
One of the best meals we have ever had.

Maitaitom, can’t wait for your trip report! Always enjoyed them.

One place that is both centrally located and off the beaten path is the restaurant at Sotheby's Auction House. Very nice setting, good food, definitely not a tourist restaurant, and you can check out what's coming up for auction (whether or not you're planning to bid for anything). When we lived in Berkshire and I was in London for the day, I usually went for lunch or light dining at Sotheby's, the Wolseley, Nicoles (now closed, was in the basement of the Nicole Farhi store), or Kiku (an excellent Japanese restaurant popular with staff from the Japanese embassy, great set lunches).

I tried to post the website link for the Sotheby's restaurant but apparently that puts me in Fodors limbo. Just google London Sotheby's restaurant. It's on New Bond Street.

*Topping to update about that Petersham Nursery cafe suggestion of ours above:

We just last night discovered that our long-planned meal at the Kew area's Petersham Nursery cafe, was not a good idea after all. It will no longer be in our design. Turns out that for all its floral earthy appeal, Petersham in fact has become a grossly-overpriced rip-off, with inconsistent food and service. Glad that we found out beforehand. The owners are apparently a wealthy couple, friends of Jagger and Bowie, and they have a lot of cheek to include unexpected extra fees on everyone's bill.

I am done. the warning to fellow-Brit-bound Fodorites

My cousin and I might be in London in September, so I want to keep track of this thread.
Tom, love the picture of your Corgi. We had a beautiful Pembroke Welsh Corgi when I was a teenager, Peter Pan of Glyndr. His grandfather was an international champion dog. We got him for free from a guy who worked with my father.

"The owners are apparently a wealthy couple, friends of Jagger and Bowie"

Thanks for the warning zebec. It proves You Can't Always Get What You Want. Unfortunately, it seems this restaurant has gone through some Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes.

LOL MT! Was gonna add Macca's 'London Town' song here now, but after perusing the original '70s video for it, have chosen to pass on the idea. Some things do not age well.
I am done. the jubilee and the runaway Corgi

Well, I'm coming to this thread very late and with much less experience than most of you but reading it has brought back some wonderful memories!
We are not "foodies" in that while we both enjoy a good meal, neither of us is a gourmet (or gourmand?). I'm more inclined to remember a restaurant because of the experience or decor and rarely (though sometimes) because of the food.
We had our 40th anniversary and last night of a 4-month stay in London at Clos Maggiore. I don't remember much about the food but we were seated in the beautiful floral-ceilinged room, fireplace blazing away. It's a memory that will always stay with me.
I love the decor of the Wolseley and I had kedigeree there. I'd never had it before and it was delicious.
We had many meals at the small, plain non-touristy North Sea Fish because it was a short walk from the British Library. Wonderful fresh grilled fish! My Bil loves their fish and chips but I've never tried them.
And I agree with janisj's recommendation of Borough Market and add to it the line of food trucks outside of Spitalfields Market.
That's all I can specifically remember but I'm going to hang on to this thread for further London visits so please report back with details, maitai!

So Tom, how is your research coming? Are you satisfied with the results? Have you also checked out additional travel sites and forums?

I am done. the back to brick