| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | afford it, it will remain a unique experience. |
| The list includes some very modest eateries where | | | | Rules |
| you will not spend a fortune but will still eat well. | | | | 35 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7LB (020 7836 5314) |
| There are now so many restaurants in London, that | | | | Price £49.00 |
| this is just a cross section of those available but | | | | Rules has been serving traditional British food for |
| everybody should find something that will appeal to | | | | over 200 years and the decor reflects this. To some |
| their tastebuds and pockets. | | | | it is elegant dining, to others it is a bit like an Olde |
| Michelin Star Restaurants | | | | England theme park either way it is a great way to |
| Le Gavroche | | | | sample some of the finest British cuisine and that |
| 43 Upper Brook Street, W1K 7QR (020 7408 0881) | | | | includes those glorious English puddings. The only |
| Albert and Michael Roux set the benchmark for | | | | problem is you will need to have the wherewithal of |
| Haute Cuisine for London restaurants many years | | | | at least a minor member of the aristocracy to pay |
| ago and son Michael Roux Jnr is now doing the same. | | | | for the meal. |
| Elegant dining such as this does not come cheap, a | | | | If you go to the Tate Modern to feed your artistic |
| minimum price of £60 each, but with 2 Michelin stars | | | | soul, you will have the choice of two fine restaurants. |
| over the door you just know it is money well pent. | | | | Tate Modern Restaurant: Level 7 |
| Gordon Ramsay On Royal Hospital Road | | | | 7th Floor, Tate Modern, Sumner St, SE1 9TG (020 |
| 68 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 4HP | | | | 7401 5014 ) |
| (020 7352 4441) | | | | Whilst in the Tate Modern, you should take the lift to |
| Lunch Menu £40 7 Course Dinner Menu £110 | | | | the 7th floor where, if you can get a window table, |
| With a 2 month waiting list you will have to plan | | | | you will get some stunning views of the river to |
| ahead if you want to eat here and with three | | | | accompany your stunning food which luckily is not |
| Michelin stars, you just know the food will be out of | | | | named after any types of art. The cuisine is modern |
| this world. Any serious foodie would kill his own | | | | European and sourced from both Britain and the |
| Mother to get a seat here to sample the French and | | | | continent. Views and foods this good do not come |
| Mediterranean dishes. It is a credit to Gordon Ramsay | | | | cheap so if you are on a modest budget, you might |
| that despite being listed in the top five restaurants in | | | | like to try the cafe on the 2nd floor where children |
| the world, the house wine is only £15 although the | | | | are very well catered for. |
| extensive wine list contains some fine wines at a lot | | | | If you are not too tired then try:- |
| more than that. | | | | Northbank |
| Petrus | | | | One Paul’s Walk, EC4V 2EH (020 7329 9299) |
| The Berkeley, Wilton Place, Knightbridge, London, | | | | Just a quick stroll across the bridge and you will find |
| SW1X 7RL (020 7235 1200) | | | | this cathedral to the finest provender the |
| Chef, Marcus Wareing has earned his two Michelin | | | | South-west of England can supply, cooked to |
| stars by serving up some of the finest French cuisine | | | | perfection. It doesn't come cheap but after such a |
| available and that includes in France. The restaurant, | | | | meal you will be more than happy to pay. Summer |
| situated in the Berkley Hotel a known haunt of the | | | | visitors will enjoy the outdoors tables and if you get |
| Queen, is named after one of the finest red wines in | | | | there sooner you will still be able to marvel at the |
| the world. You can enjoy a bottle with your meal but | | | | 'Glass Gherkin' building. Don't forget to take a closer |
| with prices starting at over £300 and ending in a | | | | look at the wall paper, it is a modern toile that |
| wallet busting £12,300, you may wish to try the | | | | reflects the City of London surroundings. |
| house red at around £15 per bottle, although this | | | | Red Fort |
| may be an insult to the magnificent food. | | | | 77 Dean Street, W1D 3SH (020 7437 2115) |
| Locanda Locatelli | | | | The authentic cuisine of North India has made the |
| 8 Seymour Street, London, W1H 7HT, (020 7935 | | | | Red Fort a focal point for the Indian food |
| 9088) | | | | afficionados. It is the exquisite cuisine and stylish |
| Although I have not eaten there yet, I must admit | | | | surroundings that have attracted the good and the |
| this is my favourite celebrity chef. He always comes | | | | great. A definite must for any visitor but beware, |
| across a passionate believer in the quality of his | | | | you will never quite enjoy your own local take away |
| ingredients and the joy of cooking them. I am sure | | | | again. |
| his two Michelin stars are an understatement. If | | | | Myung Ga |
| Italian food is your passion this is the temple where | | | | 1 Kingly Street, W1B 5PA (020 7734 8220) |
| you can worship it in. | | | | This Korean restaurant is a haven for basic Korean |
| The amazing thing is that you can dine here for | | | | food as the number of Koreans, Chinese and |
| about £30 each and you will find many good wines | | | | Japanese eating there will demonstrate. This bustling |
| at under £20 per bottle. | | | | restaurant would be a great place for the novice to |
| Nobu | | | | be introduced to the tastes of Korea. |
| Metropolitan Hotel, 19 Old Park Lane, London, W1 | | | | Wahaca |
| Y4LB (020 7447 4747) | | | | 66 Chandos Place, London, WC2N 4HG |
| This 2 Michelin star restaurant was the haunt of both | | | | Average Price: £50 |
| pop and movie stars where the tempura is sublime. | | | | This is a real Mexican restaurant that specialises in |
| Japanese cuisine is always expensive so the £60 | | | | street food with ingredients that are ethical and |
| per person will not phases the Japanese affictionados. | | | | traceable. Authentic is the keyword so be prepared |
| Other Great Restaurants | | | | to be surprised if you are used to the usual old |
| Texture | | | | tex-mex that has been touted around for years. The |
| 34 Portman Square, W1H 7BY (020 7224 0028) | | | | sample menu is a good place to start, just be careful |
| The nearest tube is Marble Arch but if you can | | | | of the freshly prepared hot sauces. |
| afford to eat here you will not be travelling by public | | | | Dining On A Budget |
| transport. Dinner for two with wine and service costs | | | | Stockpot |
| around £150. Has a Champagne bar that is worth a | | | | 18 Old Compton Street, Soho, W1D 4TN |
| visit. | | | | 273 Kings Road, London, SW3 5EN |
| This restaurant is the brainchild of Agnar Sverisson, | | | | 38 Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4EA |
| the Icelandic former head chef at Le Manoir aux | | | | Opened in 1958 this small chain of inexpensive |
| Quatre Saisons, (Raymond Blanc's flagship restaurant) | | | | restaurants are still providing the capital with |
| and Xavier Rousset who was the Head sommelier | | | | nourishing food at affordable prices. The menu is |
| there. One can only wonder at the day they both | | | | simple British and continental with generous portions. |
| decided to leave! | | | | For those on a limited budget this cannot be topped. |
| The decor could be described as Icelandic cool, the | | | | I have eaten at all these locations and can attest to |
| cuisine in the nouvelle style and the ingredients are | | | | the quality as does the number of people who you |
| the best. A great introduction is the started menu | | | | will find eating there. |
| which will give you a pointer to your next visit. Don't | | | | Yo! Sushi |
| leave it too long as a Michelin star or two cannot be | | | | MyHotel, 11-13 Bayley Street, Bedford Square, WC1B |
| far away and you know what that can do to the | | | | 3HD also at Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and |
| prices and the waiting list. | | | | many other places. |
| Daphne's | | | | A fun way to eat sushi that will not break the bank. |
| 112 Draycott Avenue, SW3 3AE (020 7589 4257) | | | | As you sit, the different sushi goes around on a |
| Price £48.00 | | | | conveyor belt so you can help yourself from the |
| Another Italian restaurant that has been favoured by | | | | cooked and raw dishes. A nice, if expensive twist is |
| stars, particularly for the lunch time crowd and why | | | | the water pump at each table. |
| not, the food is excellent and the service attentive | | | | Rootmaster |
| without being over-bearing. At least it was when I | | | | Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, E1 6QL |
| ate there a couple of years ago. It has a novel open | | | | If you are looking around the City of London and |
| space that makes summer dining a real pleasure. | | | | want something different then this is the place for |
| Even though they take great pride in sourcing as | | | | you, especially if you are a vegetarian and if you are |
| much of their produce from caring British producers, | | | | not, then this would be a great introduction to the |
| their risottos and pasta dishes are second to none | | | | cuisine. The bonus is that you get to eat on one of |
| and are complimented by a fine selection of Italian | | | | what used to be, London landmarks, a big red |
| wines. | | | | Routemaster Bus, hence the name pun. Fantastic |
| Cantina del Ponte | | | | noodles and falafel made in the shape of burgers |
| 36C Shad Thames, Butler's Wharf, SE1 2YE | | | | make this a truly unique eating experience. |
| Price £25 | | | | Sticky Fingers' Cafe |
| This is the cheaper version of Sir Terrance Conrans | | | | 1a Phillimore Gardens, Kensington, W8 7EG |
| restaurant La Ponte de la Tour, right on the river, | | | | When Bill Wyman wasn't Rolling with the Stones he |
| overlooking Tower Bridge with spectacular views of | | | | started this restaurant which serves burgers, ribs and |
| the river Thames which make it an excellent summer | | | | tex-mex. The food must be good as it still going |
| dining establishment. The menu is traditional Italian | | | | strong after many years. Situated in a side street off |
| fare cooked to perfection. I had a pizza which, having | | | | the High Street Kensington makes it a perfect mid |
| come from their wood fired oven was just sublime | | | | shopping break. |
| and the Tiramisu to follow did not disappoint. The | | | | Hard Rock Cafe |
| food is well complimented by an extensive wine list. | | | | 150 Old Park La, W1K 1QR, (020 76290382) |
| Bibendum | | | | The daddy of them all, they set the standard for |
| Michelin House, 81 Fulham Road, SW3 6RD (020 7581 | | | | burgers in London long before any of the chains |
| 5817) | | | | opened up London. I would tell you when I first went |
| If seafood is your passion, this is the place for you. | | | | there but I am afraid I might show my age. They |
| Opened by Sir Terrance Conran twenty years ago in | | | | have gone global but the ethics are still the same, |
| the old Michelin Tyre Depot, you will think you are in | | | | good food in great surroundings and reasonable |
| Paris as you feast on superb fish dishes amid the | | | | prices and you can get the t-shirt. |
| splendour of the art deco features like the huge | | | | Pizza Express |
| stained glass windows. Before you ask, there are also | | | | Although the Pizza Express is a chain, you will not be |
| some fine meat dishes that are also cooked to | | | | disappointed by the quality of the pizzas unless you |
| perfection. | | | | only like yours made in the deep pan style because |
| Lindsay House | | | | they only make the traditional thin crust style. They |
| 21 Romilly Street, W1D 5AF (020 7439 0450) | | | | do have a selection of other dishes available as well. |
| If you wish to dine like a Georgian English gentleman | | | | Some of the restaurants have live jazz so you can |
| with an British menu then you will do no better than | | | | make an evening of it. |
| Lindsay House where Richard Corrigan, a rising TV | | | | You are now ready to venture out and sample the |
| star, serves a wonderful menu sourced from the | | | | culinary delights of London, whether it is a fine British |
| best providers. Pigs trotters or smoked eel salad | | | | menu or something from further afield and you won't |
| served in a genteel 18th century drawing room may | | | | necessarily need a bank balance the size of Fort |
| have you thinking that you will be able to get a | | | | Knox to enjoy them. |
| sedan chair home. The 21st century will hit you at the | | | | The top restaurants, especially those with Michelin |
| end when the espresso is served at nearly £5 per | | | | stars, may need to be pre-booked so it may be |
| cup which would make even the aristocracy reach | | | | advisable to check before you travel, it would be so |
| for their smelling salts. That said, for those who can | | | | disappointing to miss them. |