When Harden’s Guide to London Restaurants revealed its latest haute tips in September, the media instantly picked up on the fact that Gordon Ramsay had failed to make the top 10 for the first time in a decade. And although Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley and Michel Roux Jr at Le Gavroche continue to earn plaudits, many winners came without the endorsement of a celebrity chef. Best new restaurant was Viajante in London’s Bethnal Green, the brainchild of Nuno Mendes, a chef known for adventurous tasting menus in foodie circles, but not exactly a regular on TV cookery shows.
‘The economic climate hasn’t stopped people dining out on business and they’re still interested in high-profile chefs, but many have become more restaurant savvy,’ says Lucy Taylor, head of restaurant relations for Toptable. ‘They’re looking for a combination of good value and great quality – whether at local restaurants or Michelin-starred venues.’
So if you need to book a restaurant for your boss – or simply fancy treating yourself – why not try one of these tasty venues…
Gauthier
21 Romilly Street, London W1,
www.gauthiersoho.co.uk
Cuisine Alexis Gauthier describes his food as classic French and vegecentric, offering a menu that has as many dishes created around seasonal vegetables – try soft gnocchi of ricotta rolled in parmesan courgettes and peas – as those featuring meat and fish.
Set menus Two-course lunch, £18 per person; three courses, £52pp, including half a bottle of wine. Three-course dinner menu, £35 per person; the eight-course goût du jour is £68 per person.
Private dining Two private dining rooms can seat 4-16. Menus, from £48 per person.
The Samling
Ambleside Road, Windermere, Cumbria
www.thesamlinghotel.co.uk
Cuisine Recently awarded a Michelin star, this hotel overlooking Lake Windermere offers modern British dishes such as Hawkshead venison with pinenut spätzle or Goosnargh duck with roast garlic.
Set menus Three-course à la carte dinner, £55 per person.
Private dining One room that can serve 20 guests. Eight-course gourmand menu, £67 per person, or £98.50 per person with wine.
St John Bar & Restaurant
26 St John Street, London EC1
www.stjohnrestaurant.co.uk
Cuisine British food using seasonal British ingredients and offering mains like roast mutton or lamb sweetbreads. ‘Business dining should be enjoyable and not a chore,’ says co-owner Trevor Gulliver. ‘Conviviality and good food, we would hope, leads to good business!’
Set menus Not as such, but larger groups can order from a ‘feasting’ menu and the price is set once the menu is confirmed. Around £45 per person for lunch or supper for three courses.
Private dining From 6-18, also available for mornings and afternoons as a meeting room. No tasting menu or chef’s table.
Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley
Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London SW1
www.the-berkeley.co.uk
Cuisine Known for intricate food, such as the Rhug Estate suckling pig with baby gem and barbecue ranch dressing, Marcus will forever be remembered for the Egg Custard Tart he cooked on The Great British Menu for the Queen’s birthday banquet.
Set menus Three-course lunch menu, £38 per person; three-course à la carte dinner menu with choices, £75 per person (Mon-Thurs). Tasting menus, from £90 per person for eight courses.
Private dining Up to 16 in The Pomerol Room: lunch, from £65 per person; dinner, from £110 per person. Chef’s table with surprise menu for up to eight: £840 for lunch, £1,200 for dinner.
The Vineyard at Stockcross
Stockcross, Newbury, Berkshire
www.the-vineyard.co.uk
Cuisine Classic French cuisine influenced by Mediterranean and far Eastern flavours – such as confit shoulder of lamb, aubergine caviar and lime risotto from chef Daniel Galmiche, who appears regularly on TV. An extensive wine cellar gives the hotel its name.
Set menus Tasting lunch menu, £45 per person; two-course à la carte, £60 per person.
Private dining From 2-100 diners, including an ‘owner’s table for two’ overlooking the restaurant.
Petrus
1 Kinnerton Street, London SW1
www.gordonramsay.com
Cuisine Modern French with dishes like foie gras and confit duck, Vendée pigeon breast and roasted fennel crème brÛlée.
Set menus Three-course menu du jour, £30 per person; two-course à la carte lunch, £45 per person; three-course dinner, £55 per person.
Private dining Chef’s table for up to six. Price depends on menu.
Bar Boulud at the Mandarin Oriental
Hyde Park, London, W1
www.mandarinoriental.com
Cuisine Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud launched his bistro-inspired menu last May, specialising in his signature terrines, pâtés and charcuterie.
Set menus No, although sharing charcuterie and cheese boards are available for more informal meetings, or there’s a tempting afternoon tea.
Private dining Available for up to 16.
Plateau
Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14
www.plateaurestaurant.co.uk
Cuisine Signature dishes include the port-marinated foie gras ballotine, pistachio and raisin purée, and fillet of aged beef, girolle mushrooms and roast bone marrow. ‘Business diners have different needs to social diners,’ says head chef Allan Pickett. ‘Discreet service that allows a meeting to flow at the appropriate pace and doesn’t interrupt unnecessarily plays a very big part.’
Set menus Menu du jour in the restaurant: two-courses, £23; three-courses, £26.50 (or £16 and £18 respectively in the Grill).
Private dining Two private rooms and a terrace which can be hired exclusively. No chef’s table.
Whites Bar & Kitchen
23 High Street, Steyning, West Sussex
www.whitesbarkitchen.co.uk
Cuisine Classic home comfort food designed by executive chef Stuart Dove around local produce, with the miles travelled printed beside each dish, such as pressed duck confit with spiced