London - One Memorable Dinner for Couple in Mid 70s
Hi Chowhounders. I operate a culinary and wine travel company in the U.S. (CORK and FORK Epicurean Travel) and we don't do much work in London (Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Paris, San Sebastian, Napa...yes.. London no!).
I have some very high-end clients who will be in London for just two nights in September. As they are doing the theater their second night, they are looking for an exceptional and highly memorable dining experience for their first night (which unfortunately is the day they arrive from an overnight flight from the U.S.)
They are in their mid 70s and love formal/elegant surroundings, exceptional service and great cuisine. Unique environments are great too. They are staying at Claridge's for what that is worth. I do not want to recommend a restaurant that is too French in focus. I also don't want a place that is too trendy or one that has the least bit of attitude. I want a place that is going to be a sure thing for these clients. In Paris, that place was Le Cinq, which they loved. Lastly, I don't want a place that will take three hour given it is their day arrival.
Do you know of just the right place? I'd be most appreciative if you could share your thoughts.
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re: porkpa
I was going to suggest this, but if they have eaten in Paris at Le Cinq, might be good for them to try something a bit more British - Rules is a good suggestion, as is Galvin but with a British slant.
I would also suggest the Ledbury, which is excellent, really top notch (but a bit further afield in Notting Hill, albeit a ten minute cab ride). It's two starred and some say the best meal they have had in London.-
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re: helen b
Herewith Ledbury review...Well worth the cab ride for them.
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The Ledbury has been on my list for donkey's but have had to keep cancelling...but I finally crossed the threshold into its elegant but relaxed room. It was a beautiful day and the French windows were opened onto the street which may have helped make it feel a little more informal than, say, its sibling the Square or even Launceston Place. Not to mention the predominantly Antipodean staff and diners, drawn like moths to Brett's Aussie flame. Not that I'm suggesting the whole continent is chillaxed. Perish the thought...The staff were numerous, polite, chatty and very well informed. They were just, well, a little SLOW. Maybe that's the Aussie thing again. Our drinks (water, tonic and bubbly) took 15 minutes to arrive, and the place was only half full. Bread another 10. We had to grab someone to order food and again wine. But then things picked up.
We'd chosen a Pouilly Fuisse but the sommelier came to say it was oaked, if we didn't want that he could recommend a Chablis which was cheaper...very nice it was too. Domaine Oudin 2008 - petrol, flint, grass, nice.
We went for the great value set lunch (£27.50 for two courses, £33.50 for three - this is 2* Michelin!). Starter was a 'risotto' of diced new potatoes with trompettes, parmesan crunch, shaved summer truffles and a truffle foam. Absolutely gorgeous - earthy yet light, and wipe the plate with bread good.
Main for me was a deboned skate wing in brown butter with a generous garnish of winkles, cauliflower including a cauliflower crunch with pinenuts, sauted in sake and sherry and with little jellied spheres of sake. All beautifully cooked but maybe a little mild in flavour?
Himself had middlewhite with black pudding in a spiced cream - belly rolled round the pudding, a little sweetbreads cake, two slices of 'jowl' (not the most appetising description) and some strips of shoulder. He made the better choice...
Then cheese to finish. Really good and well kept selection; the brie was primordial ooze and I had an extraordinary goats' cheese that tasted of when I used to help a local farmer bottlefeed orphaned lambs...having never bottlefed kids am sure it would have smelt and tasted of their milky breath too!
Petits fours were a raspberry jelly, a hazelnut cream biscuit and a dark chocolate with salted caramel. Coffee was a little watery, but hey.
Staff let us sit for a good 4 hours so it was almost time for the evening service when we left, but never felt hurried. They're charmingly frank - I asked whether Brett was still in the kitchen to be told 'he's just gone down the pub for a "meeting"..'
Love it.
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Launceston Place
1 Launceston Pl, Kensington, Greater London W8 5, GB
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abby d
Jul 10, 2011 10:18 AM
do they know london or is this a first time trip?
an initial thought is galvins at windows - it's near their hotel and has nice views over hyde park if you get a window table (am sure your company can facilitate that, or arrange they arrive early for a drink in the bar and request a window table when one becomes free) and the service is always thoughtful and considerate.
the menu does have a french influence but i'm not a fan of heavy traditional french cuisine and find it okay, so i might also be okay for you.dinner by heston blumenthal would also be an option which would be a more british experience. again, timing and service would be okay but in dinner's case the setting is more pedestrian.
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