Help me pick in London

[nohohound]

A London relative has suggested we try any of seven places during a trip in February:
Arbutus, Chez Bruce, Comptoir Gascon, La Gavroche, Locandra Locatelli, River Cafe, The Ivy. I don't know much about any of them, but I am intriqued by what I have learned about Arbutus, Gascon, and Bruce. Please help me pick, say, for lunches or dinners. Anybody know The Merchant House (Ludlow, Shropshire)?

[jkof]

Chez Bruce was really good when we visited for a Sunday lunch in May. Great service, great food & good value. Sommelier made good suggestions as well. The lunch deal is a real deal. Go via train to Wandsworth Common but one can also tube to Clapham South.

I was totally underwhelmed by the River Cafe when we went about 2 years ago. Seems grossly overpriced for what we got, but that was then.

Fifteen is worth considering if you haven't been.

[bwvanleeuwen1]

Chez Bruce was excellent in terms of value. The tasting menu was terrfic. Classis french. Wonderful wines and very warm. Ambiance was also wonderful. It is a long cab ride though which adds about 40 pounds to the whole venture.

[Foodantic]

I think so

[alexjames]

Depends on how you define expensive.

Bill for two was about £240 to include two decent bottles of wine. It struck me as reasonable value for money but I'm a Londoner and thus inured to paying high prices for most things.

[Modsey]

A bit expensive, no?

[alexjames]

Merchant House in Ludlow closed last year. There is no successor restaurant - it reverted to a residential dwelling.

The town now has just a single two* - Hibiscus. We very much enjoyed the nine course tasting menu a few weeks ago. But it took about four hours to get through.

Ludlow is at least three hours by car from London and a bit more by train. The weather in February is guaranteed to be vile so a jaunt from London is for the committed only.

[Simon Majumdar]

I am a fan of Comptoir and really recommend starting with the plate of "piggie treats" followed by one of their plates of foie followed by cassoulet. All washed down with a bottle of madiran. There are few nicer ways to pass a cold evening

Also, I treated myself to a long lunch at Locanda the other day. My first visit in some time and very good it was too. Not least because I blew the budget on a plate of tagliatelle with truffles

http://majbros.blogspot.com/2006/10/locanda-locatelli-nobody-knows.html

Both worth visiting. As indeed is Gavroche. The set lunch is £46 which includes 1/2 bottle of wine, mineral water and coffee & petits. Service remains the best in London and the food at lunch, while differing from their evening menu, is still excellent. be warned though, once you add a glass of champagne and, perhaps a little something after, the bill does easily top $100

http://majbros.blogspot.com/2006/03/le-gavroche-i-have-favourite-joke-of.html

Arbutus was hugely underwhelming and I really don't get what all the fuss was about.

http://majbros.blogspot.com/2006/06/a...

Hope this helps

S

[Candy]

I know Le Gavroche and it is an experience not to be missed. Go for the set lunch. You will not be disappointed.