Big smoke eating recommendations please.

homers_double

No point putting this anywhere else as everyone who's anyone will see it here.

I'm going to London on Tuesday for a couple of days on business and MrsHD is coming along as my glamorous assistant, we'll check into our hotel in Kensington about 9 so need to grab some dinner nearby.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

veronese68

Can I be the first to suggest you take her up the Oxo Tower.

rick_chasey

Wehay.

rick_chasey

Where in Kensington? big place :P.

Edit: also, budget and taste?

There's obvious stuff like Ivy Kensington, Kensington Roof Gardens, etc.

But I sense that ain't ya style.

Dirty Bone perhaps?

p.s. the really nice places will likely be fully booked already, though if you're going for a 9pm you may still have a chance.

homers_double

Wehey indeed.

We're staying at the holiday in on Wrights Lane.

Rick, budget, not really fussed, maybe £150ish for two?

What do mean, not my style? Not going to take offense either way but I've eaten a plenty of decent places in my time so I'm not after chips and gravy if you know what I mean.

I also don't want to pay for a place which charges because it's "the place to be seen".

No silly vegan or anything and I'm open to any suggestions really.

rick_chasey

I guess I mean you're not a chelsea poser type.

Not to say the food isn't good, but that's half the fun in those places. Babylon is another in a smiliar vein, albeit a little cheaper. Lovely skyline views (though I've only been in the private room so this may be different)

Try dirty bones if ya like American. Guy who prides himself on that cuisine rates it highly.

There's Clarke's which by now is a bit of a institution, but good luck getting a table at short notice.

Stevo_666

If you can jump in a taxi then try the Wong Kei in China Town.

homers_double

I also need something to do on Wednesday during the day... Meeting is Thursday morning then train back about 7

rick_chasey

IF you're staying local to Kensington you're not short of museums. Opera, Passion & Politics is on at the V&A.

sungod

there's also a pink floyd exhibition at the v&a, not been but sister said it's good (and she's not a fan)

places i've been in around south ken area recently enough for 'review' to be valid...

indian - khan's is good food, need to book to be sure

fishy - wright brothers

italian - daphne's, on the posh side but great service/atmosphere, good bar

steaks/international - pj's bar and grill, bar good for pre-nosh drinks

thai - there's patara and also thai square, would not recommend either for service/ambience

if you want thai, go to thai taste, on cromwell road (nearest tube gloucester road, one stop from south ken), excellent thai food and good service, there's a bar on the way, ken's bar and garden, in the crowne plaza, the garden is surprisingly large, big sofas and probably has the heaters on now

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=south ... gws_rd=ssl

Garry H

Give her some jellied eels from a man selling them out of a dirty van.

rick_chasey

Fairly sure pink floyd exhibition is sold out.

bondurant

Kensington is a pretty dead area for good well priced food compared to most other parts of London. If I was in your shoes Hunan is where I'd shoot for, but it's not exactly next door. Or the Harwood Arms in Fulham but, again, not very close. You might be better off doing as Stevo suggested and heading into town, in which case I'd have a load more suggestions.

Stevo_666

Bondurant wrote:

Kensington is a pretty dead area for good well priced food compared to most other parts of London. If I was in your shoes Hunan is where I'd shoot for, but it's not exactly next door. Or the Harwood Arms in Fulham but, again, not very close. You might be better off doing as Stevo suggested and heading into town, in which case I'd have a load more suggestions.

Ditto, not really eaten much in Kensington as there's no real need to go given whats in the West End/City.

rick_chasey

Stevo 666 wrote:

Bondurant wrote:

Kensington is a pretty dead area for good well priced food compared to most other parts of London. If I was in your shoes Hunan is where I'd shoot for, but it's not exactly next door. Or the Harwood Arms in Fulham but, again, not very close. You might be better off doing as Stevo suggested and heading into town, in which case I'd have a load more suggestions.

Ditto, not really eaten much in Kensington as there's no real need to go given whats in the West End/City.

Too full of Eurotrash eh? .

I used to 60m away from the Harwood Arms.

homers_double

Settled for the Ivy, checked into our hotel at 10pm and it's just around the corner so made sense.

Going touristy tomorrow:)

sungod

which ivy? if it's the kings road one the terrace tables are nice, plus if the weather is ok you can have cocktails in the garden

if you get any attitude off the bimbettes, tell them they just work in a cafe

homers_double

Kensington high street, it was ok to be fair.

Stevo_666

homers double wrote:

Kensington high street, it was ok to be fair.

Try Galvin at Windows if you want to impress the trouble n strife and don't mind spending a few quid tonight.

rick_chasey

Stevo 666 wrote:

homers double wrote:

Kensington high street, it was ok to be fair.

Try Galvin at Windows if you want to impress the trouble n strife and don't mind spending a few quid tonight.

Are better places in that 'hood for food (albeit no panoramic view of the West End, natch).

Stevo_666

Rick Chasey wrote:

Stevo 666 wrote:

homers double wrote:

Kensington high street, it was ok to be fair.

Try Galvin at Windows if you want to impress the trouble n strife and don't mind spending a few quid tonight.

Are better places in that 'hood for food (albeit no panoramic view of the West End, natch).

It's about the atmosphere as much as the food. As he's with his OH...

In terms of food alone, there is better. Where do you rate round there?

sungod

one of my nearby faves is morton's in berkeley square, relaxed but plush, has a tartare trolley, and phenomenal wine list

rick_chasey

Stevo 666 wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Stevo 666 wrote:

homers double wrote:

Kensington high street, it was ok to be fair.

Try Galvin at Windows if you want to impress the trouble n strife and don't mind spending a few quid tonight.

Are better places in that 'hood for food (albeit no panoramic view of the West End, natch).

It's about the atmosphere as much as the food. As he's with his OH...

In terms of food alone, there is better. Where do you rate round there?

Well Theo Randall is almost next door.

But if you're feeling very 2015/6, Coya is good fun. Peruvian, and one of the few places round there that feels a bit different to your standard fancy hotel.

rick_chasey

I hasten to add, I certainly wasn't paying when I ate at most of these places...

Stevo_666

Rick Chasey wrote:

I hasten to add, I certainly wasn't paying when I ate at most of these places...

Me neither - mostly.

Stevo_666

sungod wrote:

one of my nearby faves is morton's in berkeley square, relaxed but plush, has a tartare trolley, and phenomenal wine list

The tasting menu at The Square on Bruton St used to be really good. Especially the wine.

homers_double

Shit lunch at some Italian with a name like Bull near Soho. Wife cried at Phantom and I cried at paying £19 for two plastic cups of Sauvignon Blanc watching said apparition!

Had a Thai which was ok about 400 yards south of Her Majesty's Theatre.

Must do a bit of work tomorrow to justify the trip...

rick_chasey

homers double wrote:

shoot lunch at some Italian with a name like Bull near Soho. Wife cried at Phantom and I cried at paying £19 for two plastic cups of Sauvignon Blanc watching said apparition!

Had a Thai which was ok about 400 yards south of Her Majesty's Theatre.

Must do a bit of work tomorrow to justify the trip...

Not bocca di lupo i hope.

One of my favourites!!!!