restaurant for office Christmas party

[curlywurlyfi]

I have somehow ended up the designated Entertainments Officer for my company, an outdoor advertising company based in Earl's Court.

We had our Christmas party last year on the premises - magicians! caricaturists! roulette tables! karaoke! - and the employees have put their collective feet down and said 'we're not doing that rubbish again, we want proper dinner out in a restaurant and no importuning half way through the sea bass from some twat trying to make a dinosaur out of a balloon thank you.'

So, seeing as it's already the end of September and there are only 90 days to Christmas *screams inside*, does anyone have any recommendations for suitable restaurants in London?

Criteria:

- we are about 50 people. So can be either taking over whole restaurant, or cordon off a bit of a big one

- English, French or Italian food. I would love to see their faces if I suggested salt + pepper squid would be nice for Christmas

- reasonable restaurant required but not high high end - for example in the past we've been to Vasco + Piero's, La Famiglia, Bluebird. Our budget is up to £200 a head

- pref west London (office is in Earl's Court) or West End

Does anyone have any gems I should know about? Thanks in advance.

Fi

[Gary Marshall]

for £200 a head and 50 people you could probably get anyone to cook for you!

Edited September 22, 2005 by Gary Marshall (log)

[MobyP]

Feebee -

west london. Italian. River Cafe.

[battleofthebulge]

Hey I live just round the corner Here are my West London selections:

La Trompette is wonderful, but probably a bit late to book such a large party.

We love Whits on Abingdon Road, but that might not be snazzy enough.

The Belvedere in Holland Park is swish.

Kensington Place has great food and a nice party buzz.

Good luck!

Sarah

[curlywurlyfi]

for £200 a head and 50 people you could probably get anyone to cook for you! 

Gary, are you offering?!!

[Gary Marshall]

for £200 a head and 50 people you could probably get anyone to cook for you! 

Gary, are you offering?!!

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i'll happily offer, whether you'd be happy with the results is another matter

[tony h]

Our budget is up to £200 a head

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that's our budget for the whole party!

saw my first christmas tree last week - v depressing

[horton]

Hi,

Chez Kristof on Hammersmith Grove has a private room for 50.

You could take over Fiore on St James' Street. I have heard great things about this place recently and the management of any party by the manageress, Mieke, will be meticulous.

The French/Japanese cuisine at L'etranger on Gloucester Rd, would be different but the only thing is they may not be keen on closing for a private function.

Or how about Pied a Terre? Opens again shortly and may well still have the availabilty.

[Carlovski]

for £200 a head and 50 people you could probably get anyone to cook for you! 

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I've really got to get out of the public sector

[origamicrane]

for £200 a head and 50 people you could probably get anyone to cook for you! 

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I've really got to get out of the public sector

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nah we get loads more holiday

flexi leave

short working hours

and a final salary pension

[SBonner]

I'd opt for a section of Pont de la Tour. Great walk afterwards to burn off the alcohol and pud. I wish I worked for a firm with a 200 pound xmas budget per person

Cheers,

Stephen

[curlywurlyfi]

You could take over Fiore on St James' Street. I have heard great things about this place recently and the management of any party by the manageress, Mieke, will be meticulous.

Horton - I can't thank you enough for this suggestion - that is exactly what we did, the party was last night, we took over the whole place, and it was fantastic. Mieke is terrific, made lots of helpful suggestions, is charming (as are her staff - young, friendly, smily, polished), happy to be flexible at the last minute when we decided we should invite five extra people - at 6pm on the day of the party, no less - and Umberto's food was excellent. The canapes passed round with drinks prior included tempura sage leaves - gorgeous. Really interesting Italian with a twist. Lovely wine list too.

And best of all, I came in under budget

[Jon Tseng]

And best of all, I came in under budget 

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Oh dear

Now you don't want people to think you're becoming low maintenance now

J

[Andy Lynes]

I've been to Fiore twice recently and been very impressed. True, they were press do's, but for different reasons put huge demands on the kitchen and the front of house, both of which seemed to cope admirably. The room is always going to be a bit of a corridor, but I actually prefer it now to its rather more somber incarnation as Petrus, which nevertheless was one of my favourite restaurants. Umberto's food is delicious and inventive and you couldn't hope to meet a nicer chap. He even let me borrow his office and laptop when I needed to file some urgent copy from the restaurant - what a gent.

[magnolia]

And best of all, I came in under budget 

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Oh dear

Now you don't want people to think you're becoming low maintenance now

J

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I agree - a bad precedent to set, as they will give you a lower budget next year !