Critique my list too, please.

[ponocat]

I will be in London in early January for a week. I have been to some of the Gordon Ramsey restaurants and plan to skip them this time so I can have new dining experiences. I have read some of the chowhound posts on the Michelin-starred restaurants, but most of them are pretty old. So, I was wondering if anyone has been to the following in the last few months:

The Square, Locanda Locatelli, One Lombard Street, Sketch Lecture Room, Assaggi, Le Gavroche, Roussillon

I can't go to all of them, so I need to reduce the list to 3 or 4. If you have been to any of them recently and have an opinion, please share. Or, if I am missing a really great restaurant that should be on the list, let me know. Aside from wanting fabulous food, I would like a restaurant that doesn't have tables so close together that others can hear your every word and you, theirs.

Thanks

[Hart50]

I was in London in August and had dinner at Le Gavroche and would have to say I was disappointed. Although the food was sublime the service left alot to be desired. It was quite odd because there was no shortage of staff but throughout the meal they just kept dropping the ball due to their inattentiveness. Perhaps they were having an off evening but when you are paying such astronomical prices I expect much better.

[whiner]

Last few months? No... I've not been to London in a couple of years. But, I think you are missing The Capital Restaurant (in the Capital Hotel). One of the best meals I've ever had.

[maher]

Locatelli has always been good, but lately it has been superb. my last two meals there were faultless. i would definitely try to go there.

[ponocat]

Thanks for the replies kristainlondon and maher. I will delete No One Lombard and be sure to dine at Le Gavroche and Locatelli.

[kristainlondon]

Oh, I would skip No One Lombard Street. The bar can get too popular. Nicer in summer when the outdoor garden is open, which is quite a treat.

I had a really nice experience at Le Gavroche.

[kristainlondon]

You know--I was wondering the other night--I think I confused Coq d'Argent with No 1. Coq d'Argent has the outdoor bar. I think. Right?

[PhilD]

I recommend a great source of information on fine dining in London and that is Andy Hayler's website/blog (http://www.andyhayler.com/). It is probably one of the best resources for critical comments about London/UK restaurants.

Andy dates all his reviews so you can see how up to date the review is. He is very knowledgable, and has an amazing breadth of experience. It seems as though he has eaten in most of the top end restaurants (including all you ask about) so gives good comparative advice. Importantly he has high standards and if a restaurant fails to measure up he gives honsest feedback.

My rule of thumb with the web/blogs is to find writers whose experience/expectations line up with mine. I see you have been to Tantris in Munich, see how his opinion compares to yours.

[kristainlondon]

Andy has pretty much eaten in every Michelin starred place. That's his area of expertise. He just ate at Hibiscus this week, as did I. Lovely. Brand new. Inventive. Wonderful, personal service. I would add that to the list.

[ponocat]

Thanks so very much for putting me onto Andy Hayler's site, which is magnificent. I used his reviews to tailor my list, but I also got lost in reading the many things he had to say--spent hours there.