London Restaurants

Rules (the oldest restaurant in London - 1798). 35 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden. Traditional English, esp. classic game cookery!! See menu here. Try game soup or dressed crab appetizer. And main courses are pheasant, hare, venison, partridge, duck or lamb;  ( Covent Garden, Leicester Square or Charing Cross) map

While Rules specializes in game and domesticated meat, Wiltons is THE restaurant for seafood in London. Located at 55 Jermyn Street in the heart of the men's fashion district. ( Piccadilly Circus)

Tom Chamberlin of The Rake magazine has recommended 5 of the top classic restaurants in London everyone must try. They include Rules and Wiltons noted above as well as Bellamy's, Bruton Place, near Berkeley Square; Rowley's on Jermyn Street; and finally The Guinea Grill, Bruton Place, Mayfair is an excellent steak house. (See also A Gentleman's Guide to London by Tom Chamberlin.)

A special place to eat is The Ivy with its own version of a classic shepherds pie. 1-5 West Street ( Covent Garden, Leicester Square)

Simpson's in the Strand has classic British fare with excellent roast beef, and Kedgeree for breakfast. Located at 100 Strand. ( Charing Cross, Temple or Covent Garden)

Breakfast: Great eggs Benedict and its variations at Cecconi in Mayfair, also great Italian lunch. For the best full English try The Wolseley, 160 Piccadilly, Mayfair. ( Piccadilly Circus)

The Keep, Brook Green, 43 Blythe Road. Libertarian Drinks on 3rd Wednesdays. ( Kensington)

Winner of best afternoon tea in London 2012 - Langham Hotel £40 + tip

Dukes Bar in Mayfair is the ultimate in high class bar to simply enjoy a quiet drink expertly made. Made famous as the drinking place for Ian Fleming who enjoyed their famous martini. Located in Dukes Hotel, 35 St James's Pl.

Grouse & Claret Wine Bar - Excellent London Confidential recommendation, p.77. 14 Little Chester St. ( Victoria) map
 
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Pub (v.good pub and English food), Wine Office Court 145 Fleet St. ( Chancery Lane) map

Frederick's, Camden Passage. London Confidential recommendation. ( Angel)

Cafe Des Amis du Vin. London Confidential recommendation. ( Covent Garden)

Hung, Drawn & Quartered. 26-27 Great Tower Street. ( Tower Hill)

Simplicity, 1 Tunnel Road, Rotherithe ( Canada Water) map

E Pellicci, 332 Bethnal Green Road. Telegraph recommendation - Art Deco and artsy clientele. ( Bethnal Green) map

Ole & Steen Lagkagehuset. Good spot for tea and dessert. Located across from Victoria Station in a mall called Nova Victoria on Sir Simon Milton Square.

Knightsbridge

Some quality pubs near Harrods: Bunch of Grapes is a good traditional pub with reasonable prices (e.g., fish & chips for £14.79). Owned by the same company as Bunch of Grapes, Tattersalls Tavern is another traditional pub. The Grenadier is a highly rated pub that mostly locals frequent because it is somewhat hidden at 18 Wilton Row, about a 12 minute walk from Harrods.