London Inspiration...

[megandavid]

Hi all

I am looking for a new destination restaurant to take my partner for a romantic meal ideally somewhere in Central/South West London. Any ideas or suggestions would be gratefully recieved.

As an idea of the sort of thing we are looking for, we have eaten and enjoyed the following restaurants... Providores, Chez Bruce, Polygon, Teatro, Otto, Mezzo, Oxo Tower and Quaglinos.

Thanks in advance.

[Simon Majumdar]

Welcome

That's an odd mix to say the least.

I would suggest trying Incognico ( just up the road from the "better than it has any right to be considering who runs it" Teatro ) which would suit.

Also, congratulations, this is the first time I have seen the words "Mezzo" "Quaglinos" and "Oxo Tower" used together with the word "enjoyed"

S

[Jon Tseng]

For the non-Bruced-out La Trompette, or Putney Bridge appear to be the South-West London places du jour.

Having said that, if you are prepared to venture across to yuppieville I can thoroughly recommend Thyme in Clapham - probably as "destination" as you're likely to find in the wasteland that is South London

J

[Archana]

I've heard very good things about both Thyme and Tsunami [both in Clapham] and if you want a real treat try Hakkasan [Nr. Tottenham Court Road] the dingy alley that leads up to it belies it's glamourous interior.

[Simon Majumdar]

Nice idea

I like Hakkasan but have not been back for ages. Might have to try and go this week sometime

S

[megandavid]

Many thanks for the suggestions that should keep us going for a little while. Putney Bridge was already under consideration as we live just down the road. We also got as far as the front door of Hakkasan but turned back as it seemed more of a bar than restaurant, shall have to rectify this. However, this Friday we've opted for Babylon in Kensington... is this a wise decision?

...and as for Oxo, Mezzo and Quags, each to their own, eh? Some of us aren't as well travelled just yet...

Thanks again

[Simon Majumdar]

...and as for Oxo, Mezzo and Quags, each to their own, eh? Some of us aren't as well travelled just yet... 

Thanks again

I was just giving you a hard time

You'll get used to it. Really don't like those places though.

Do try Hakkasan, the bar is good but the food is excellent. I prefer dim sum on Sunday to their normal evening menu

S

[Akiko]

Does anyone have anything to say about Andrew Edmunds? I keep hearing about it when I ask people about restaurants that serve good food in a romantic atmosphere....

[Gavin Jones]

Good points: decent (not fantastic) food, sensibly priced, dark wood & candles - very well priced winelist.

Bad points: cramped - so there is probably a limit to one's romantic ambitions within the restaurant... prefer upstairs to downstairs

I'd recommend it - one astonishingly funny evening sitting next to a Brummie property developer & stunna

[Simon Majumdar]

Actually, I was going to mention AE, but was not quite sure that it fitted the "destination" need

I really like AE. The room is comfy and cosseting. The food is good and it has one of the bargain wine lists in London.

It is certainly one of the more romantic places in town. If you like that sort of nonsense. The last time I was in there there was a couple at the next table. At the end of the meal the restaurant brought them a champagne cocktail with an ice cube in it. In the woman's ice cube when she finsihed a drink was the engagement ring that the chap had brought in before hand ans asked them to present at an appropriate time for him to make his proposal.

While I am not alone in thinking that marriage is a profoundly stupid thing. I did think this was quite sweet. It was a few months ago, so I am sure they are married and divorced by now and the poor sap is living in a bedsit in Croydon while she she bathes in pink champagne every night on his nickel

S

[Charlene Leonard]

The last time I was in there there was a couple at the next table.  At the end of the meal the restaurant brought them a champagne cocktail with an ice cube in it.  In the woman's ice cube when she finsihed a drink was the engagement ring that the chap had brought in before hand ans asked them to present at an appropriate time for him to make his proposal.

While I am not alone in thinking that marriage is a profoundly stupid thing.  I did think this was quite sweet

S

come on Simon, that is unbelievably tacky! I expected more of you (you see, one month of marriage and I am already a cynical old witch )

Meg and David, I've never been but have heard that Le Poule au Pot is supposed to be one of the most romantic restaurants in London

And this might be of some use...Square Meal link for Romantic restaurants

[Simon Majumdar]

come on Simon, that is unbelievably tacky! I expected more of you (you see, one month of marriage and I am already a cynical old witch )

damn, I thought Chicks dug "tacky"

But then I thought that Chicks dug being called "Chicks" so what do I know?

Yours Alone again or

S

[circeplum]

However, this Friday we've opted for Babylon in Kensington... is this a wise decision?

i love babylon, but seem to be alone on this one. when it opened, it got savaged by the critics but i figure that might be more down to its richard branson ownership than anything else.

its menu is appealing and reasonably priced. apart from a once-encountered pornographic sausage food is reliably good. the staff are friendly, the place - and the view - are stunning and you can go for a stagger afterwards in the gorgeously decadent roof gardens.

what's not to like?

(oh, and in the ladies loos, if you look through the waterfall gushing from the postmodern sink you get a clear view of the urinals. a very beautiful aussie waiter followed me into the lavs to point out this unique design feature. )

[Miss J]

The last time I was in there there was a couple at the next table.  At the end of the meal the restaurant brought them a champagne cocktail with an ice cube in it.  In the woman's ice cube when she finsihed a drink was the engagement ring that the chap had brought in before hand ans asked them to present at an appropriate time for him to make his proposal.

While I am not alone in thinking that marriage is a profoundly stupid thing.  I did think this was quite sweet

S

come on Simon, that is unbelievably tacky! I expected more of you (you see, one month of marriage and I am already a cynical old witch )

No kidding - how could anyone marry a guy who thought it a good idea to dilute a perfectly good champagne cocktail?

[Jinmyo]

come on Simon, that is unbelievably tacky! I expected more of you (you see, one month of marriage and I am already a cynical old witch )

damn, I thought Chicks dug "tacky"

But then I thought that Chicks dug being called "Chicks" so what do I know?

Yours Alone again or

S

Simon's so dreamy.

[Simon Majumdar]

The last time I was in there there was a couple at the next table.  At the end of the meal the restaurant brought them a champagne cocktail with an ice cube in it.  In the woman's ice cube when she finsihed a drink was the engagement ring that the chap had brought in before hand ans asked them to present at an appropriate time for him to make his proposal.

While I am not alone in thinking that marriage is a profoundly stupid thing.  I did think this was quite sweet

S

come on Simon, that is unbelievably tacky! I expected more of you (you see, one month of marriage and I am already a cynical old witch )

No kidding - how could anyone marry a guy who thought it a good idea to dilute a perfectly good champagne cocktail?

I suspect there is a little green monster at work here. I don't see no ring on your finger honey

S

[Miss J]

Oh, be still my poor shredded heart.