Les Trois Garcons [London]

[mendogurl]

I am in London, all expenses paid, for a week. The sky is the limit.
No particular interest in the Gordon Ramsey of it all.
We are from San francisco, and frequently go to Portland or Brooklyn for foodie joy.

Les Trois Garcons, gets mixed reviews, but it looks like a blast ( and I happen to collect taxidermy).
Is the food just going to be bad???

What would you recommend? For new, innovative, fun and not stuffy,
restaurants?

[zuriga1]

I think Maze qualifies as innovative, fun and it's certainly not stuffy. It may be owned by Ramsay (he comes across worse on his American TV shows than he does at times over here), and the chef is Jason Atherton who is very good. Look at the menu - maybe you'll like it.

[mendogurl]

Well, we didn't get our replies soon enough unfortunately.
Met our friends at Lounge Lover which was deserted. Our British friends explained that everything was dead on Monday night, unless you were in central London.
Fantastic decor, but maybe the worst drink I have ever had.

Got to Tres Garcons across the street about 15 minutes late, and were informed that they were just about to close the kitchen because we were late. Which made sense since we made up one of the two occupied tables in the restaurant.
Once again, decor was fabulous, food was alright.
Still had a good night because of good company. Restaurant just felt apathetic, like their heart just wasn't in it.
Looking for the killer dinner tonight...

[relizabeth]

My last meal at Les Trois Garcons was pretty meh.

For taxidermy + a meal, I'd go to Last Tuesday Society's shop http://www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org/map.html
and then around the corner to Bistrotheque. http://www.bistrotheque.com/

[pj26]

I would second that above post - Les Trois Garcons is very average, although you could go for a drink their Lounge Lover bar for the same atmosphere. Great recommendation on the Last Tuesday Society/Bistrotheque as well - try and time it for a cabaret night - great fun (and their steak tartare is, in my opinion, the best in London.
If you want a high end restaurant, I'd recommend the tasting menu at Hibiscus - just amazing.

[Harters]

" I'd recommend the tasting menu at Hibiscus - just amazing"

I usually never miss an opportunity to plug Hibisicus - it is my favourite place in the whole country (more so when it was in Ludlow) - but I wouldnt say it really met the OP's criteria of "new, innovative, fun"

[pj26]

Good point - it's maybe a little 'stuffy' but would say the food is innovative.

How about trying the Dean St Townhouse - buzzy place to be at the moment and good food?

[TheSwedishFish]

I would definitely recommend Dean St Townhouse too, love the comfy chairs and relaxed atmosphere. Wouldn't want to sit in the 'diner' bit though, doesn't have the cosy feel to it.

My favourite go-to places are Ottolenghi on Upper St and Sake no Hana for great Japanese without the Nobu glitz. Blakes is nice too, but maybe not really innovative. I've heard good things about Bob Bob Ricard, maybe something to try?