Seeking London Long Weekend Suggestions

[Tennyson]

My wife and I will be in London for three nights later in October and would love some feedback on some of the restaurants we are considering. For this trip, we are looking for upscale places with interesting food, but not necessarily fine dining. Would be fun to have some variety, with a good Indian restaurant thrown in for example. We are staying in Soho and, although many of the places we are considering are in or around that area, we don't need to limit ourselves strictly to the West End (although we probably won't want to stray too far afield given the limited time we have).

So if you had to pick three places from the following list, which woud you choose?

Arbutus
Hix
Providores
Bocca di Lupo
Cinnamon Club
Polpo

Are there others that I should consider?

Just to complete the picture for you, we are going to be in the City one morning and will probably stroll up to Modern Pantry for lunch. We may also choose to go to Polpo for lunch instead of dinner since I understand that we can make reservations there for lunch but not dinner and it tends to get mobbed at night.

Thanks very much for your help!!!

[Al Toon]

If you are going to the City I would strongly recommend the Blueprint Cafe for lunch. Fantastic views over the river and Jeremy Lee's cooking is superb.

[ManInTransit]

Providores on that list is a bit of a different vibe to the rest so I'd definitely go there.
Arbutus is sensational value at lunch, £17 for three courses, but I haven't eaten the full menu there so can't comment on how good it is at the top end.
For the Cinnamon Club I'd think about when you're going, the food is top-class Indian but it is full of politicians and businessmen on a weekday lunchtime and might lack the sort of vibe you'd want on holiday. I'd possibly suggest Benares instead at the Michelin level.
I've not eaten at Dishoom but it has had universally sensational reviews.

[zuriga1]

I've been there a few times now, but would not call the food 'sensational.' Of course, I am just me and not a food critic.... would love to know what howler thinks of Dishoom. That said, it's a very fun experience and so centrally located and the owner is part of the charm.

[ManInTransit]

Quite agree about Arbutus - I wouldn't call it sensational either. I meant sensational value in that you can have three courses and walk out with a bill of less than £40 if you want to. I've spent more than that on lunch at Strada and the menu I had last time I went was very enjoyable.

[t_g]

i think zuriga1 was referring to dishoom which you said had 'universally sensational reviews'

[zuriga1]

Yes, I was referring to Dishoom. I can't comment about Arbutus - haven't been there. I think I remember seeing Arbutus' chef cooking on TV in the last few months, and the food didn't really appeal to me at the time, but one has to taste things, not just see them! :-)

[zuriga1]

I happen to like Cinnamon Club, but it is not the usual Indian fare that some enjoy. It's not traditional, and the ambiance is different, too, but beautiful. You might be happier (if that's not what you're looking for) with places like Amaya, Quilon etc. For lunch, you might enjoy Dishoom, which serves Bombay-style tapas dishes (if that makes sense). It's very central and a bit different.