Knightsbridge/South Kensington Restaurants

[eatingdiva]

Hi,

For our first night in London we'd like to dine at a restaurant near our hotel (The Kensington, near South Kensington tube). We'll be going to Paris after London so preferably nothing French . The other restaurants we're booking for our 3 night stay in London are Pollen Street Social and The Ledbury. I'm really keen to find somewhere that has a "British" inspired menu with good ambience. I've looked at Dinner by Heston B but for some reason it doesn't overly appeal and we've already got The Ledbury as our more expensive dining option. We've dined on many occasions at Zuma and Zafferano and whilst we really like both we'd prefer to try somewhere new as it seems the dining scene in London has changed a lot since we lived there 6 years ago. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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Zafferano Restaurant
15 Lowndes Street, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 9EY, GB

[Dapuma]

We are staying at the Ashburn Hotel

111 Cromwell Road, London SW7 4DP, England

Are any of the recommendations going to have an issue with a meal between 3-6?

Would also prefer British inspired

harwood arms is not an options since we are arriving on a monday

[LisaSpencer]

For very casual but definitely British, you could go to Bumpkin on Old Brompton Road. Or The Pig's Ear in Chelsea, a quick walk down to the Kings Road from your hotel. Hix at The Albermarle in Mayfair is also a lovely more upscale choice for authentic British cuisine. A quick cab ride away in Fulham is The Harwood Arms, which is beyond superb, and also casual. Do a quick search on those restaurants and see if any of them grab you. I'm not a huge fan of The Ledbury, for what it is worth.

[eatingdiva]

Thanks LisaSpencer for the recs. I'm definately interested in Harwood Arms - when you say casual, how casual do you mean? Whilst food is the main priority I want, especially for our first night in London, a nice ambience/decor.

[LisaSpencer]

It is casual in that you wouldn't look out of place in jeans. It is a pub, but a nice pub that has been re-done in the past few years. No vinyl banquettes or faded wallpaper or anything! Use the Google "Images" search on Harwood Arms and you'll see what I mean.

[DavidT]

I had a nice lunch this past Saturday at Rocca di Pappa, 73 Old Brompton Road. We shared a pizza & a salad. Not great, but I would certainly be willing to give it a try for dinner some time.

[zuriga1]

I think you'd enjoy a meal at Launceston Place. I had a wonderful lunch there a few months ago, and am anxious to return for a dinner. It's a very fast taxi ride from South Ken. It definitely has a 'British inspired menu,' and the service is terrific.

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Launceston Place
1 Launceston Pl, Kensington, Greater London W8 5, GB

[eatingdiva]

Thanks for your responses I'll look into Launceston Place. Also thinking of widening the net to Mayfair.....

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Launceston Place
1 Launceston Pl, Kensington, Greater London W8 5, GB