London restaurant needed

My dad is getting remarried in November and coming over to London for his honeymoon (not staying with me luckily!).  I would like to treat dad & stepmom to a wonderful meal when they arrive on their first night.  I don't care what the cost is (okay, not £100 per head would be lovely)...but want it to be a great bit of food!  Thanks for your help!

What kind of food were you thinking of?

They will eat anything as will I...I just want it to be something memorable in terms of service & food quality...

Ohhh, I can't remember the name of the steak place Richard loves!  He is away, I will try and ask him.  Says it's the best in London.

This is not really a suggestion for your parents' dinner, because I think it needs to be something that is really British and/or French or Italian. But I recently had an amazing meal in a restaurant just next to Southwark tube, called "Baltic". It was Eastern European/Scandinavian food, more Polish than anything else, and it was magical. Really, really well done, expertly prepared and inventively seasoned, it blew every preconception I had ever had about Eastern European food out of the water. Plus a vodka menu of 50 rare vodkas. The service was exceptional (for London) - really pleasant and really quick.

Have you thought about the Jamie Oliver place?

What about the River Cafe? That is definitely a good choice for a one-off dining experience, though it would be too rich for my blood on a regular basis. I have all their cookbooks, and I like them, though I think many people think it is overpriced for what you get.

Quod in Haymarket (Piccadilly Circus) is very nice. Good food, good service, ok prices but can be a little busy. They have private dining rooms available for groups though.

If you don't care about the cost I think Claridges is fantastic. There is also the Ritz for fine dining. Simpsons in the Strand is good. The Woolsey is nice and the Belvedere in Holland Park has good food and a nice atmosphere also.

If you don't care about the cost I think Claridges is fantastic. There is also the Ritz for fine dining. Simpsons in the Strand is good. The Woolsey is nice and the Belvedere in Holland Park has good food and a nice atmosphere also.

Claridges is very very good! Tony and I have been there several times. Once on our honeymoon, and the others for buisness mettings. It is very pricey, but worth everything. Just don't forget to make reservations.

My first thought was the Ivy until you mentioned price limit-ish. I'm with misch on the Brit experience. Something very olde worlde pub-y. I can't help with specifics, though. When we get to London we usually seek out things we don't get in the country, like sushi or certain ethnics.

There is a gorgeous old style pub called the Grenadier with a top class style restaurant over in Knightsbridge. I have never eaten there but I am sure it is very good if their jugs of Pimms are anything to go by.  I think you have to book ahead for dinner.

http://www.english-restaurants.com/english/areas/restaurant.asp?catID=5&classID=43

I don't know that The Ivy is quite £100 per head...  I would look into it, because it's the classic icon of London fine dining; and friends of mine just recently ate there and said the sticky toffee pudding is still the best!

Another alternative for a special treat would be High Tea at the Ritz or the Savoy.  Very posh, and very nice.

Very English, clubby atmosphere at Greens in St. James's, extremely good fish, good English cuisine.

Another restaurant just behind the Ritz,  Caprice. Good, expensive, difficult to get a table.

A friend of mine who dates a very posh English gentleman recently went to Wheeler's in Jermyn street, said it's great, really really good fish.

www.toptable.co.uk

www.toptable.co.uk

www.toptable.co.uk

www.toptable.co.uk

!!!

I highly recommend St. John Bread and Wine.  It's not terribly fancy, although it's nice in a sort of "industrial chic" kind of way.  It's in east London, right near Spitalfields market.  They specialize in English food, with a heavy emphasis on what's fresh and in season (think Chez Panisse, etc).  They also have a fabulous wine list, and heavenly bread (whenever I'm nearby I try to pick up a loaf of their wonderful raisin bread - I think their bread is better that the stuff I've gotten from Poilane).

There's also St. John Bar & Restaurant in Smithfield (the more upscale restaurant), which people I know love, but which tends a bit too much toward offal and organ meats for my taste!  

Here's the website for both restaurants:

http://www.stjohnrestaurant.co.uk/