Dining in South Kensington
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LAX
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Posts: 1,029
Dining in South Kensington
I'm off to London for a weekend next month, and am wondering if anybody has first-hand suggestions for dining near my hotel in South Kensington. I have broad taste--French, Italian, Indian, gastropub, etc.--and generally favor smallish, neighborhood places with a bit of ambition and decent wine lists.
Thanks.
Thanks.
#3
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Naples, Florida
Posts: 7,419
http://www.bibendum.co.uk/
Located in the stunning art deco former headquarters of the Michelin Tyre Co, Bibendum offers perfectly delivered classics with a French bias, and the occasional contemporary twist.
Nearest tube is South Kensington (Circle, District and Piccadilly Lines). Take the left exit at the tube station, turn left down Pelham Street and walk as far as the traffic lights. The Michelin Building is opposite.
Nearest tube is South Kensington (Circle, District and Piccadilly Lines). Take the left exit at the tube station, turn left down Pelham Street and walk as far as the traffic lights. The Michelin Building is opposite.
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,735
La Bouchee
I have lived here for fifteen years, and would strongly recommend dining at La Bouchee, my favourite local brasserie; reservations are recommended:
56 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3DY Map
Nearest Tube Stations: South Kensington - 286m Gloucester Road - 396m
Telephone: 020 7589 1929
http://www.london-eating.co.uk/2492.htm
It's a little bit of Paris in the heart of London.
I would also recommend Le Colombier, a short walk down the road.
145 Dovehouse Street, London, SW3 6LB Map
Nearest Tube Stations: South Kensington - 522m Gloucester Road - 861m
Telephone: 020 7351 1155
http://www.london-eating.co.uk/1646.htm
Both are stalwarts, places I go when I want consistently good service, excellent food and a relaxed stress free evening out.
I can also recommend my latest find, the jockey Frankie Dettori's restaurant family focussed restaurant, "Frankie's" Frankie's Italian Bar and Grill 3 Yeomans Row, Phone: 0207.590.9999. which is quite close to Harrods. Best deluxe burger in twon.
If you want super high end then L'Aubergine is probably the best near to your hotel, but prepare to take out a mortgage if you would like to dine there, especially given the weakness of the dollar.
Have a great stay and PM me if you need any other suggestions.
56 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3DY Map
Nearest Tube Stations: South Kensington - 286m Gloucester Road - 396m
Telephone: 020 7589 1929
http://www.london-eating.co.uk/2492.htm
It's a little bit of Paris in the heart of London.
I would also recommend Le Colombier, a short walk down the road.
145 Dovehouse Street, London, SW3 6LB Map
Nearest Tube Stations: South Kensington - 522m Gloucester Road - 861m
Telephone: 020 7351 1155
http://www.london-eating.co.uk/1646.htm
Both are stalwarts, places I go when I want consistently good service, excellent food and a relaxed stress free evening out.
I can also recommend my latest find, the jockey Frankie Dettori's restaurant family focussed restaurant, "Frankie's" Frankie's Italian Bar and Grill 3 Yeomans Row, Phone: 0207.590.9999. which is quite close to Harrods. Best deluxe burger in twon.
If you want super high end then L'Aubergine is probably the best near to your hotel, but prepare to take out a mortgage if you would like to dine there, especially given the weakness of the dollar.
Have a great stay and PM me if you need any other suggestions.
#5
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,233
A slightly longer walk to Knightsbridge, but if you're up to that, I've enjoyed Brasserie St. Quentin at 243 Brompton Road several times. Have taken others as well. Nobody was ever disappointed.
#6
Original Poster
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Location: LAX
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Posts: 1,029
Originally Posted by USAFAN
#7
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: London
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Posts: 168
Here's another - Racine...
Try this one - Zagat quotes attached - very reliable and well worth a visit too... rates 23 for food and 21 for service...
Racine
Knightsbridge
239 Brompton Rd. (South Kensington) London, SW3 020-7584 4477
“Trendy and old-fashioned at the same time”, this “divine” “find” in Knightsbridge “feels like France and tastes like France”; “diners are packed in a convivial fashion” for Henry Harris’ “refreshingly different”, “high-end bistro fare” that delivers “a lot of punch for the pound” (including early-bird specials), plus “charming staff” make “you feel you’re getting special attention” without “being over-catered to” – in sum, it’s a “winner” that “matches expectations.”
Racine
Knightsbridge
239 Brompton Rd. (South Kensington) London, SW3 020-7584 4477
“Trendy and old-fashioned at the same time”, this “divine” “find” in Knightsbridge “feels like France and tastes like France”; “diners are packed in a convivial fashion” for Henry Harris’ “refreshingly different”, “high-end bistro fare” that delivers “a lot of punch for the pound” (including early-bird specials), plus “charming staff” make “you feel you’re getting special attention” without “being over-catered to” – in sum, it’s a “winner” that “matches expectations.”
#8
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Naples, Florida
Posts: 7,419
Originally Posted by Efrem
A slightly longer walk to Knightsbridge, but if you're up to that, I've enjoyed Brasserie St. Quentin at 243 Brompton Road several times. Have taken others as well. Nobody was ever disappointed.
But sorry - I don't want to hard your feelings: I have been there and was a little disappointed. The food was O.K., but nothing special.
BTW, the food on the website http://www.brasseriestquentin.co.uk/
looks better than it actually is.
#9
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Surrey, UK
Posts: 342
Originally Posted by MJLogan
I'm off to London for a weekend next month, and am wondering if anybody has first-hand suggestions for dining near my hotel in South Kensington. I have broad taste--French, Italian, Indian, gastropub, etc.--and generally favor smallish, neighborhood places with a bit of ambition and decent wine lists.
Thanks.
Thanks.
There was a recent review in the Independent.
#10
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Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
There are loads of nice small places right around that area. Just walk around and glance at the menus. However if you are paid in US Dollars, prepare for sticker-shock! Even a simple Chinese meal will set you back quite a bit.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2000
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I, too, like Racine, especially for Sunday lunch. On the high end side, Aubergine is lovely (and a relative bargain at lunch), but I'm a big fan of Tom Aikens, as well.
#12
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Originally Posted by stimpy
There are loads of nice small places right around that area. Just walk around and glance at the menus. However if you are paid in US Dollars, prepare for sticker-shock! Even a simple Chinese meal will set you back quite a bit.
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 1,029
Originally Posted by MJLogan
I'm off to London for a weekend next month, and am wondering if anybody has first-hand suggestions for dining near my hotel in South Kensington. I have broad taste--French, Italian, Indian, gastropub, etc.--and generally favor smallish, neighborhood places with a bit of ambition and decent wine lists.
Thanks.
Thanks.
On Saturday, though, I tried La Bouchee, as recommended above. It was just the sort of place I like. The food--a goat cheese terrine, steak frites and a tarte tatin aux poires--was delicious, as were the recommended wines by the glass. The staff were fun and reasonably attentive, especially once the French waitress and I switched from English to French. There was a table of Dutch yuppies on a spree next to me, so I got to use my few words of Dutch, as well. Thanks, apudme, for an excellent suggestion.
#14
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Naples, Florida
Posts: 7,419
La Bouchee
#15
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Chevy Chase
Posts: 1,818
Daphne's is a fantastic italian restaurant in South Kensington. I highly recommend it.
http://www.daphnes-restaurant.co.uk/
112 Draycott Avenue
London SW3 3AE
020 7589 4257
http://www.daphnes-restaurant.co.uk/
112 Draycott Avenue
London SW3 3AE
020 7589 4257