mikey66

Thanks again for your replies. We had a look at Julie's in Holland Park the other day. The bar and restaurant looked great, but the private dining areas looked a little sad. They have a conservatory and another larger room. The conservatory looked very ordinary (it's painted white with hard wooden chairs and spider plants) - and the main private dining room looked bleak, with no natural light and bare walls, apart from a solitary stag's head. I am sure these rooms *could* be dressed beautifully, but nobody seemed to want to show us around, let alone extol their virtues. I thought that the indifference was a bad sign, as our visit was a pre-arranged one. Still, if I am ever in that neck of the woods, I would go to the bar there. However, thanks to you, we have discovered a whole range of great possibilities. Rousillon and La Famiglia look the most promising. I have just seen Rousillon's £45 3 course menu and it looks fabulous. La Famiglia are also getting in touch and if it's anything like their website - it will be a sure fire hit with my Italian mother. Yes, I know that big the day is not for us really.. Just heard an update on that Ebay story - which kept me smiling all weekend- according to Metro, the ad was placed by the bride's ex- boyfriend - the plot thickens.. Thanks for your suggestions, I'll keep in touch, Rgds Mikey

Thank you so much for all your speedy replies. I suspected that some of my initial suggestions were a bit iffy. Just to clarify the £50 would be exclusive of drink, and the wedding day really will be just for close relatives and their partners/children (thanks Hallie) We will be having a separate bash to cater for all of our pals and other relatives. This should keep the numbers down and, hopefully, the drink element under control..(well maybe). We are more than willing to look a bit further west now - ie nr. Celsea, Victoria or South Ken. as it now looks like our original wedding venue we had in mind (in Chelsea) will be free for us on the day we want after all. I knew this wasn't going to be easy. All of your suggestions look excellent btw, - and over the next few weeks/months we'll be road-testing some of them... This wedding thing keeps getting better...pl let me know if anything else springs to mind and I'll keep you posted Regards Mikey.

Well, a few weeks ago I asked that question to my loved one and she said yes. So, now we are planning the wedding. There will be a small civil ceremony in London next spring with about 16 family members - followed by a meal. This is where I have been scratching my head... We are looking for a restaurant or other venue that offers private dining, allows children, and serves decent food for £50 max per head. We are looking in central London, Covent Garden, South Bank, and have thought of Rules, Browns, Chez Gerard, or if we push the boat out La Pont De La Tour. Let me know what you think of our initial choices and am sure that you'll have some of your own. Many thanks in advance... Mikey

Andy Although I am not from Tenby myself, I have visited a couple of times & I have had some great food from a place called Plantagenet House. This was last year so I hope it's still going. It's on Quay Hill, (tel.01834842350 - well done google). Probably the best monkfish I have ever had if not the biggest portion. It's in a lovely old building set on two floors - bar on the ground floor if my memory serves me right. Anyway, be interesting to hear your take on the place. cheers Mikey PS. In case you don't know, mind the hens & stags (not sure which are worse) on Fri/Sat nights in town

Thanks for all the replies, at least we won't be eating in an Angus Steak House now! It'll probably be Grumbles, but I am not telling you how long I spent looking for a place called "heavenly grumbles" (thanks circeplum!) Well, I didn't say that I was the bright one Thanks again Mikey

I am looking to find a reasonably priced/cheap restaurant (mains up to £15ish) to celebrate my girlfiend's graduation. It needs to be near to Victoria Station. As I am taking elderly parents and in-laws (lucky me), the restaurant should be of the non-spicey variety- a traditional British, fish or modern European one should do the trick. Needless to say, it should not be too smokey or play loud music... Is this a tall order?..Your suggestions will be much appreciated Thanks Mikey

I've just come back from a great weekend in Bologna and luckily stumbled across this forum before I went. I tried Diana (thanks for the recommendation Alex). The food really was excellent, but to get the most out of the place brush up on your Italian as the waiting staff didn't go out of their way to help out with understanding the menu. I had the entrecotte which was excellently cooked, but I wish I knew the dish didnt come with any vegetables. Another place I had good food and excellent service was Da Nello on Via Montegrappa (I think). By the looks of it, it is an old establised restaurant, good honest no frills food, and we were made to feel very welcome. Rgds Mikey