London/Mayfair Restaurants

le gavroche is very nice, but it is in a basement...food is wonderful.
the chinese in the dorchester is supposed to be good.
gordon ramseys in chelsea is one of the best restos in uk.
good japanese: nobu, zuma (best)
good indian: zaika, tamarind, portes des indes
good italian: zaferano, mediteraneo,
blend: l'etranger
casual places: harvey nicks 5th floor, wagamamma, hard rock, shepherds market
pubs: churchill arms (best), red lion, bunch of grapes,
bars; the meridian hotel,

 

There are nice restaurants in Shepherd Market (Behind the Hilton on Park Lane), e.g. Sofra, Al Sultan etc. The place has a really nice atmosphere, so it's worth having a walk down there (about 5 mins from Grosvenor Sq) and checking them out. There are some nice pubs and cafes too.

 

There's a relatively new restaurant up the road called Galvin which is very recommended - maybe not for a USD 300 anniversary blow out like Gavroche or Ramsay but very recommended for one of your other nights - similar context is the Boxwood Cafe which is a less formal Ramsay

 

i am sorry you picked a 10 day period where i wont be in town, or i would have invited you for a drink at the RAC !

 

my recommendation for what it is worth is the new Ramsey restaurant which you elude to. Its actually 50 yards from the front door of the Marriot. But don't let that put you off.

Out the front door, turn right and right again into Grovesnor square and you have arrived. Up the steps to be greeted by the doorman and into a fantastically designed restaurant.

Its right there less than a minute from the Marriot - its called Maze and has an excellent menu and wine list - food is great, service exceptional and bill is manageble - two should have a great meal for much less than $250 all in.

menu mostly french/french asian but i had the scottish lobster to start and a scottish fillet to follow and they were both dishes to die for!

they do a taster menu like tapas or a 5/7 course menu or a la carte

enjoy!

 

If you want something really special book the 13 course tasting menu at the Chefs Table (in the kitchen) at Maze. It's quite expensive (£125+drinks) but really interesting as they show you how to cook a lot of the dishes

Of the others mentioned I would def go to Zuma, if you want really good Indian Food I think Amaya is the best (http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/display.php?Rest_ID=83021)
The Chinese at the Dorchester is called China Tang, I think it looks good but the food is nothing special, a Chinese which is really good is Yauatcha (http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/display.php?Rest_ID=82949)
Gordon Ramsay at Royal Hospital Road is an absolute must - http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/display.php?Rest_ID=80650
Personally I don't like Le Gavroche, if you want a very formal place I think the Square is better- http://www.squarerestaurant.com/

 

Just discovered there are two versions of Galvin near you - on Baker Street is the one I was thinking of but they've just opened a much more expensive one on the 28 th floor of the Hilton Park Lane which I guess will have fantastic views

 

Given your possible Italian persuasion, can I suggest Locanda Locatelli in Seymour Street, short walk away on the other side of Oxford Street.

I just took my wife there for our anniversary.

See: http://www.locandalocatelli.com/

Whatever you do, have a good time.

Kind regards

Mark Shannon

 

I ate there when it was the 'la Tante Claire' - and it was superb then, must have been 10 years ago.

 

Although I haven't been there for ages, Criterion at Piccadilly Circus is (was) excellent. It's worth just going to see the decor.

 

ZUMA is GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!

Some fab women in there too!

 

Ross is right with all of those;
A couple of others, Mirabelle on Curzon St in Mayfair is lovely too and near you. Windows on the top floor of Park Lane Hilton is nice too with great views (may be being refurbed). Met Bar is in the Metropolitan Hotel is next door. Annabels on Berkeley Sq (you need to be with a member) is a nice place to eat and party.
Zuma is the best. Book now.

 

Forget all of those hoity-toity places, take your wife for some real London grot! Head over to Islington on the Picadilly line of the Tube. Get off at Holloway Road, left out of the tube station to a place called the Coronet which will be on the opposite side of the street a block or two down. There you can get a steak, salad, garden peas and chips for about six pounds fifty!

Cheers,
Aaron
'82 GTSi