What's "the" restaurant in London?
 

We'll be in London toward the end of March. What are the restaurants that we shouldn't miss? We like Italian, French, Japanese, American(new), Thai, English. But we're not limited to just those.

This will be my husband's first trip to London and my second. I'd like to make it special for him.

Thanks

Are you looking for the top rated, obviously very expensive restaurants with major names? Or are you looking for unique and fun places to fit a more restrictive budget? Or are you looking for inexpensive?

I've never been, but I would chk out Jamie Oliver's restaurant, Fifteen.

Try to have an Indian meal; Tamarind in Mayfair is very classy (I believe it even has a Michelin star). I hear a lot about Sketch and Zuma, but haven't been yet. I always like Nobu, but you may have that where you are from.
My favorite lunch spot is Nicole's in Bond Street; book a table or eat at the bar without reservations. Food is always good, and the place is always full at lunchtime.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all your suggestions. Patrick, we're looking for something special, so probably more expensive. But we'd also like something "unique and fun". I think it's more about the experience than the price. Maybe my subject wasn't quite right.

The Ivey or Gordon Ramsey if you haven't been invited for dinner in Buck House or at #10!

Really classic old English food, including game dishes, in an elegant setting in the oldest restaurant in London -- Rule's.

Gordon Ramsey at Claridge's -- one of the best.

Mediteranean/Morocco at Morro, very popular, rather casual and bustling.

Indigo.

December issue of Bon Appetit listed several "hot" restaurants in London; I'll try to top the thread.

Have a look at Hardens.com considered <b>the</b> restaurant guide for London. E &amp; O in Notting Hill is supposed to be very trendy AND very good- Japanese tapas I think. Try it &amp; tell us how it was. :)

Hi km

I'm an old fuddy duddy, but I think that Simpson's in the Strand is the place for a proper English dinner.

You can also have lighter fare at the Knight's Bar upstairs. Sherlock Holmes and Watson used to eat there.

Time Out London recently cited THE RED FORT on Dean Street in Soho as one of the best Indian restaurants in London. The food is excellent. Very cool scene as well. Check out the downstairs bar while you're waiting for your table.

Chambali Indian Cuisine, Southampton Row, just across from Russell Square. Pricey but not outrageous.

If you want to go for that 'Lord Profumo' affair feeling, I would recommend Mirabelle restaurant in louche Mayfair. Lit with a neon sign on the outside, you descend the stairs and it's stunningly beautiful inside: venetian mirrors, a huge disco ball which turns achingly slowly to create mellow sparkles on the wall, chinois wallpaper. It has a lovely bar.

Speaking of lovely bars, I also can recommend the Rivoli Bar in the nearby Ritz Hotel. Art Deco and completely gorgeous.

A new restaurant on the scene, again in Piccadilly, is The Wolseley. Do go there - you can have breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks or tea. The interior is breathtaking. They are trying to achieve the central European coffee house feeling and is a lovely antidote to all the hip and trendy places which have plagued London over the last few years.

I like Rules - does good roast. I do not like Simpsons. I will never eat there again. It wouldn't be polite to say why but let's just say that if their kitchens are anything like their ladies' loo, then the health inspectors need a call.

As you can tell, I'm not a fan of 'modern' restaurants or bars. I like mine over the top or to have some kind of unique feature.

Just remembered one of my favorite places, discovered last year -- the Atlantic Bar and Grill on Glasshouse, right off Picadilly. It's in the spectacular &quot;basement&quot; of an old bank (?). Wonderful food, great service, and super supper club atmosphere. At the end they bring your bill all folded up in a small blue envelope clearly stamped &quot;the damage&quot;.

AllyPally, where's this Wolseley

Le Gavroche

This is the only M-3star restaurant in England. The only reason it is not 4 or 5 star is that it is in London. The food is wonderful, the service is unpretentious, attentive, remarkably responsive without being smothering. Ambience is romantic and quiet. Here one could be a pauper and be treated with equal non-smarmy warmth.

43 Upper Brook Street, London, W1K 7QR
Nearest Tube Station: Marble Arch
Tel: 020 7408 0881

Gordon Ramsey in Chelsea is probably THE restaurant in terms of food and ability. It is fantastic - and VERY pricey (&pound;100+ a head, more if you cane the wine list).

For people spotting try the Ivy or (and better) The wolvesey (run by the people who used to run the Ivy and they have taken a lot of the clientele with them).

I'm going to ask , too, Patrick.

Where is this Wolseley?

Ally, i agree with you totally , re Simpson's!

I just did a search, and this is what I found on The Wolseley: http://www.london-eating.co.uk/3771.htm

Wow. After reading all those comments on The Wolesley, it's sure going OFF my list!

Goshes,

We were at Simpson's in April 2001. The Ladies' wasn't a problem then.

When were you folks there?