Seeking a top London restaurant - present ideas.

SideWinder · 11 Sep 2011 at 23:09

I'm looking for a flashy/gourmet/trendy London restaurant that i can take my Dad to for his birthday.

His wife is vegetarian so it will need to cater to her needs as well. I'm looking for something a bit different as they have been to quite a few places.

Something a bit like Jamie Oliver but classier if that makes sense.

Somewhere well known and somewhere that people say "Wow, i'd love to go there".

As for the food type - British/Italian please!

MissChief · 12 Sep 2011 at 01:52

Take her up the Oxo Tower. Most restaurants do veggie options these days although some have a better selection than others.

Seft · 12 Sep 2011 at 08:01

River Cafe would seem to fit the bill of 'Jamie Oliver/Strong brand/Italian food'

ZeroSight · 12 Sep 2011 at 08:08

Probably not what you are looking for but the best Steak Restuarant in London IMO is Goodmans in Mayfair. Excellent service and food.

MrM · 12 Sep 2011 at 08:18

Might help narrow restaurants down if you mentioned the type of food you are looking for?

If sushi, and I'd imagine vegetarian won't be an issue Zuma in Knightsbridge is top notch. For a posh Indian I would recommend The Cinnamon Club and if you want a noisy, somewhat glitzy crowd in an Italian I would recommend Scalini's on Walton St, good chance of spotting a celeb, an prices not astronomical, but can get noisy.

utajoker · 12 Sep 2011 at 08:38

me and my fiancee went to gordon ramseys maze restaraunt last night. was very nice food, the steak was awesome

DBT85 · 12 Sep 2011 at 08:52

Top floor of Smiths of Smithfield. Not a big name to impress people though. Excellent food and impeccable service.

sunny007 · 12 Sep 2011 at 08:55

Vanilla Black Best Vegetarian Restaurant

17 - 18 Tooks Court
City of London EC4A 1LB

mp3duck · 12 Sep 2011 at 08:59

I went to Dinner by Heston the other month!
Easily the best restaurant in London I've been too, but I guess not helpful unless you want to go in 3 months (booked up fully till then)

gjrc · 12 Sep 2011 at 09:35

the ivy...

Scotts

The Square

Gavroche.

MuttsNutts · 12 Sep 2011 at 09:50

Mc D's, KFC or Burger King......lol

how about one of Gordon Ramsay's Restaurant a bit more class that Jamie Oliver id say cost a lot more too......

[FnG]magnolia · 12 Sep 2011 at 09:56

MissChief said:
Take her up the Oxo Tower.

I ... I don't think that's legal in this country :eek:

J1234 · 12 Sep 2011 at 11:00

Budget?

£100-£200 per head or something cheaper?

McPhee · 12 Sep 2011 at 11:18

I would have suggested Barbecoa if you're after a bit of Jamie Oliver style, it's run by the man himself along with Adam Perry Lang. The problem is... vegetarian options. There isn't a single vegetarian main-course on the menu. I guess they probably scale one of the starters to main course size for the occasional vegetarian that walks through the doors?

TheDean · 12 Sep 2011 at 14:00

ZeroSight said:
Probably not what you are looking for but the best Steak Restuarant in London IMO is Goodmans in Mayfair. Excellent service and food.

Going here on Thursday - can't wait. By all account the waitresses are very fit too. Which is pleasing

mangobreeder · 12 Sep 2011 at 19:46

satchef1 said:
I would have suggested Barbecoa if you're after a bit of Jamie Oliver style, it's run by the man himself along with Adam Perry Lang. The problem is... vegetarian options. There isn't a single vegetarian main-course on the menu. I guess they probably scale one of the starters to main course size for the occasional vegetarian that walks through the doors?

went to Barbecoa, didnt rate it.

Bocca di lupo is probably the best restaurant in london

http://www.boccadilupo.com/

xarr · 13 Sep 2011 at 07:46

I would second Bocca di Lupo and the River Cafe, both fantastic Italian restaurants. Neither are very formal and stuffy, both produce relatively rustic food that is very genuine and neither have very stuffy service. I think this is why they are so great, perfect, non fussy food in a relaxed atmosphere cooked with good ingredients and decent wine lists.

TheDean · 13 Sep 2011 at 10:11

If looking for Italian: Zucca if on a budget. Locanda Locatelli / Zafferano if not.

Wakinglimb · 13 Sep 2011 at 10:13

What's your budget?

My two favourite restaurants are the Ledbury (2x michelin stars) and Oxo Tower. The latter has some of the best views of London and really adds to the wow factor. Took my (way out of my league) girlfriend there for our first date and now together almost 3 years - it impresses!!