268397 Mon May 29 17:39:20 -0700 2006 9 42 U.K./Ireland 0 1414132 will be in london in july when gordon ramsay at royal hospital road will be closed for renovation, so we booked at claridges. i've heard mixed reports about that location. is it worth it, or should we book elsewhere? also booked at maze. need one more dinner recommendation. what do you think of racine, j sheekey, ledbury, woseley, rules, michael moore, tom aikens, or any other that come to mind? thanks so much. Mon May 29 17:39:20 -0700 2006 0 c 1 1414145 Oh, Le Gavroche in Upper Brook St has them all beat hands down, a life experience. Mon May 29 23:05:40 -0700 2006 1414132 0 Candy 2 1414182 Gavroche is the most over rated, old fashioned, fusty miserably overpriced restaurant I have had the misfortune of eating at. Try Locanda Locatelli (Italian) Haakasan (Chinese) Zuma (Japanese) Galvin (French) Wed May 31 16:27:56 -0700 2006 1414145 0 Jo 3 1414189 Haven't been to Claridges-well, not Gordon Ramsays anyway. Both J. Sheekey and the Wolsely I will recommend, especially Sheekeys- as the Wolsely is better as a lunchtime venue. A reliable foodie friend of mine who gets to dine out on company expenses a lot recommends Locanda and Galvin too if that helps. You are spoilt for choice in London really. Thu Jun 01 00:35:21 -0700 2006 1414182 0 samantha 3 1414201 Anybody who prefers Haakasan to Le Gavroche simply likes restaurants rather than food. Thu Jun 01 11:24:13 -0700 2006 1414182 0 Steve P 4 1414233 I'm a chef and know my food pretty well and rate Haakasan any day over up it's ar*e stuffiness of Gavroche. Sat Jun 03 12:21:14 -0700 2006 1414201 0 David 3 1414362 "Gavroche is the most over rated, old fashioned, fusty miserably overpriced restaurant I have had the misfortune of eating at." Only to a philistine. Tue Jun 06 21:34:35 -0700 2006 1414182 0 scott 4 1414369 Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. We English are used to much better nowadays, you lot obviously aren't. Who are the Philistines now? Wed Jun 07 02:55:51 -0700 2006 1414362 0 Trevor 5 1414486 Hmm, then why be so defensive about it? The lady doth protest too much, methinks. Sat Jun 10 00:28:00 -0700 2006 1414369 0 scott 2 1414361 Absolutely agree. Excellent food and service in a cossetting environment, with a bargain of a lunch prix fixe that includes a half a bottle of wine. Tue Jun 06 21:33:06 -0700 2006 1414145 0 scott