260705 Mon Dec 17 08:27:26 -0800 2001 15 26 International 0 1377648 Apologies if this posts twice-I had posted it earlier but can't find it now. Anyway, I had booked us at Gordon Ramsay's new rest. at Claridge's for my husband's birthday this Sunday, but after reading reviews here and elsewhere it sounds below par. Please post your suggestions for a nice place where we can get great food and equivalent service-was looking for a michelin rated place possibly-anyone know about the Oak Room? Thanks. Mon Dec 17 08:27:26 -0800 2001 0 amy guttman 1 1377649 Yor best bet is Foliage in the Hyde Park Hotel,although I'm not sure if it's open on Sundays.Pleasant room,excellent 'haute cuisine'type food,reasonably priced wine list and willing(though not particularly polished)service.It's been praised on this board several times before and is one of the best value restaurants of its type in London. Mon Dec 17 08:42:15 -0800 2001 1377648 0 Tony Finch 2 1377651 I can second the recommendation of Foiliage. Superb food, efficient service ( I would disagree with tony's slight reservation ) and a great wine list. Simon Mon Dec 17 10:06:47 -0800 2001 1377649 0 Simon Majumdar 3 1377654 First thanks for the double thumbs up on Foliage. Unfortunately they are not open on Sundays!! Any other ideas? Again, any thoughts on the Oak Room? Does the Lanesborough have a good restaurant? Mon Dec 17 14:14:25 -0800 2001 1377651 0 amy guttman 4 1377655 okay, forget about my query on the Oak Room, they too are closed Sundays. HELP!!! Mon Dec 17 14:19:32 -0800 2001 1377654 0 amy guttman 5 1377656 Try the capital Hotel. Eric Chavots cooking is exceptional and it is very good value. failing that you could try Rhodes in the Square, The Connaught, John Burton Race at The Landmark. The Lanesbrough is a wonderful place for a drink ( try Salvatore's bar for one of Mr Calabrese's Martini's ) but Paul Gaylers cooking has gone off the boil Just one other suggestion which might be interesting is Rules. Just a thought S Mon Dec 17 15:14:34 -0800 2001 1377655 0 Simon Majumdar 6 1377661 One other shot could be The Crescent restaurant at The Montcalm Hotel nr. Marble Arch (Gt.Cumberland St.?) I haven't been there myself but I 've heard really impressive reports on both food and value. Tue Dec 18 08:07:13 -0800 2001 1377656 0 Tony Finch 7 1377680 thanks for all the suggestions-i now have a wonderful list of places to check out. fyi-i checked a list of michelin rated places and came up with the square (**) and the putney bridge rest. (*), any opinions?? obviously the putney bridge is a bit far out, but wondered if it's worth it and curious about the square since i can't find their menu online. thanks! Wed Dec 19 05:43:52 -0800 2001 1377661 0 amy guttman 8 1377681 Putney Bridge is OK. I have had good meals there but have not been for a couple of years The Square is very good but if you are going to that level, then I would plump for Le Gavroche every time. To my feeble mind the most sublime experience in London. S Wed Dec 19 07:14:07 -0800 2001 1377680 0 Simon Majumdar 9 1377688 simon- unfortunately le gavroche is closed on sundays, and i actually wasn't crazy about going 'to that level', but tony had recommended the capital hotel rest. and that was even higher-65 pounds pp, the square is i think 50. i think the key problem here is the sunday thing. he also suggested the crescent at the nikko montcalm but then i read somewhere that the atmosphere was bland-perhaps i'll give it a shot though. have you been to mirabelle? still taking ideas..... Wed Dec 19 10:45:06 -0800 2001 1377681 0 amy guttman 10 1377690 AVOID MIRABELLE LIKE THE PLAGUE!!!!!!!!! AVOID ALL MPW PLACES. Just stay at home and rip up money for an afternoon and force yourself to vomit. The results will be much the same and you wont have to travel S Wed Dec 19 11:01:27 -0800 2001 1377688 0 Simon Majumdar 11 1377694 simon, you have me giggling out loud. yikes, isn't it true that you can make yourself crazy trying to get the oh-so-perfect place for the right price-expensive, but not bank breaking, but not cheap either..... well, at this point, i'll decide between the carte menu at the capital since it seems to come so highly recommended or keep it simpler at the crescent, despite the lack of stars-cause hey, stars aren't always a guarantee.... so many thanks to everyone who helped me narrow this deicision. this was my first posting and i'll be back and hopefully with suggestions for others. Wed Dec 19 12:27:09 -0800 2001 1377690 0 amy 10 1377691 Amy £65 Capital menu is the 5 course degustation menu. The carte is £53 for 3 courses. I can heartily recommend this place. The Crescent is £25 for 3 courses plus half a bottle of wine per person. The dining room was slightly quiet on my visit but the food was very good and for that price I can live with quiet! Wed Dec 19 11:34:54 -0800 2001 1377688 0 Scott 8 1377693 I went to PBR to celebrate an anniversary a month ago after a gap of 3 or 4 years. The cooking and ambience suggests PBR is trying hard for a second *. The room is excellent with views across the Thames to Bishops Park in Fulham. Service is attentive, a tad too much so. 2 or 3 amuses were good, varied and tasty. A starter of squid braised in red wine on a bed of brandade of cod was as excellent as it was unusual, the tastes blending rather than jarring. Other starter of Scallops was good but not outstanding. The main course of Trelough duck (for two) came in 2 servings: first a huge rare cooked breast with a slightly sweet, black lacquered skin. Excellent, but the quantity of meat needed more than the squiggle of veg puree on the plate. Next came the leg, slow cooked, with walnut oil dressed salad. A good counterpoint to the sweet skin of the breast. Puddings OK but not attention grabbing. Good wine list from £25 upwards. The Sommelier recommended a Domaine de l'Hortus from Pic St Loup whose spiciness balanced both the duck meat and skin. Good place for a celebration (and it passed the napkin test). Bill came to £170 (service inc) including 2 glasses of Champagne and a glass of pudding wine. Wed Dec 19 11:59:19 -0800 2001 1377680 0 Stephen Aldred 5 1377660 Sundays are always a problem. I've never understood why so many restaurants are closed then rather than, say, Mondays, when all I want is a take-away and an early night. You could try Pied-a-Terre (020 7636 1178) on Charlotte St. Tue Dec 18 06:38:54 -0800 2001 1377655 0 Winot 5 1377877 Re: Re 5 Urgent London Special Occasion Rest Have been to The Suare on Burton Street. One of the best in London, well reviewed and very expensive. Reservations a must. Enjoy, Steve Tue Jan 01 22:18:27 -0800 2002 1377655 0 Steve Dolley