Afternoon tea in London?

[d000hg]

It seems The Ritz is already booked up for 2 months ahead, when we'll be in London for our anniversary. Are there any other swanky places we could go, that are worth the money?

Probably going to try and fit in one posh lunch/dinner too... went to 15 last time and would quite like to try Heston's new place, but there must be dozens of great places with Michelin stars and the like... recommendations for posh English/Indian places welcome.
What's The Ivy like... pretentious or worth it?

[Paddy]

It seems The Ritz is already booked up for 2 months ahead, when we'll be in London for our anniversary. Are there any other swanky places we could go, that are worth the money?

Probably going to try and fit in one posh lunch/dinner too... went to 15 last time and would quite like to try Heston's new place, but there must be dozens of great places with Michelin stars and the like... recommendations for posh English/Indian places welcome.
What's The Ivy like... pretentious or worth it?

I would go for afternoon tea or dinner but not both. How about lunch on the Thames?

[NickFitz]

Diana's Diner - their fried bread is awesome. It's not called an all-day breakfast for nothing, you know

EDIT: Good review on Russell Davies's egg, bacon, chips and beans blog:

[BigTime]

Cinnamon Club is nice. Heard good things about the Michelin starred one in Mayfair too but not been there.

[norrahe]

It seems The Ritz is already booked up for 2 months ahead, when we'll be in London for our anniversary. Are there any other swanky places we could go, that are worth the money?

Probably going to try and fit in one posh lunch/dinner too... went to 15 last time and would quite like to try Heston's new place, but there must be dozens of great places with Michelin stars and the like... recommendations for posh English/Indian places welcome.
What's The Ivy like... pretentious or worth it?

The Langham has won best afternoon tea awards.

Benares has had high acclaim for Indian food ( Atul Kochar, 1 michelin star)

I use this website as a guide.

Avoid Galvin at windows, carp food and service.
The ivy is ok if you like comfort food and star spotting.

Hestons new spot you will find it booked up the wazoo for the next few months.

Try Pollen St social, Kensington place, Clarke and St John ( if you like nose to tail eating). Le Gavroche does a good deal for lunch - 4 courses half btl wine and water with coffee and petits fours. Tom Aikens is good but he may have closed his restaurant

If you like steak the following restaurants are good, La relais de venise, Gaucho and the best steak can be found at the Hawksmoor.

Also good are 28- 50 ( fetter lane), Pearl ( Jun Tanaka) and Soseki ( St Mary Axe, best sushi outside of Japan, great tasting menu and sake menu).

[d000hg]

I would go for afternoon tea or dinner but not both. How about lunch on the Thames?

I wasn't thinking on the same day
The river is an idea but any recommendations? I don't want to fall into some awful tourist barge

Diana's Diner - their fried bread is awesome. It's not called an all-day breakfast for nothing, you know

Ooh, tempting. We're borrowing a flat so do need breakfast - it's on St. Katharine's Dock and there is a cheap caff there too, but Covent Garden isn't far away by tube IIRC.

[quackhandle]

When Professional Masterchef was on a few weeks ago, I looked at Michel Roux Jr's place Le Gavroche, any one recommend this?

qh

[The_Equalizer]

Diana's Diner - their fried bread is awesome. It's not called an all-day breakfast for nothing, you know

EDIT: Good review on Russell Davies's egg, bacon, chips and beans blog:

Mr. Fitz, a man after my own heart. I will have to go there when I am next in the smoke.

[TheFaQQer]

Diana's Diner - their fried bread is awesome. It's not called an all-day breakfast for nothing, you know

EDIT: Good review on Russell Davies's egg, bacon, chips and beans blog:

I used to go to the Regency Cafe (linky) for lunch when I was in that area.

Be amazed at the vocal projection skills of the counter staff.

[DodgyAgent]

It seems The Ritz is already booked up for 2 months ahead, when we'll be in London for our anniversary. Are there any other swanky places we could go, that are worth the money?

Probably going to try and fit in one posh lunch/dinner too... went to 15 last time and would quite like to try Heston's new place, but there must be dozens of great places with Michelin stars and the like... recommendations for posh English/Indian places welcome.
What's The Ivy like... pretentious or worth it?

Try the wolseley next door to the Ritz

The Wolseley - Café restaurant in the grand European tradition - Piccadilly, Mayfair, London