Thursday
London is the most expensive place to eat out in the world, even more pricey than Tokyo (a city I really want to visit). Not very surprising, I guess. The sheer financial vibrancy of London fuels this, although it may lose some oomph if the problems in the global markets lead to some job cuts in the investment banking industry.
The key thing I have learned is to be bloody careful about the wine. I find that even in a pricey restaurant, you can get away without paying a fortune so long as you go very easy on the booze. But as soon as you buy anything other than the cheapest plonk in the list, you might as well call in the receivers and sell the house. For this reason I rarely eat out in expensive places, unless it is a special occasion, or eat at my magnificent Tandoori restaurant in deepest Pimlico, which is right next door to my flat. Now that's luxury for you.
Recommendation: try this place out for a special night out. Great staff.
I was in Rules recently, and had the best wine I've had in years: Tenterden Estate Bacchus, made in Kent. It came in at £28.99 a bottle.
So I ordered a case direct from the suppliers: now, £80 (plus £6.50 delivery) for nine bottles of excellent wine is a much better price...
DK
P.S. It came within two days and it's still delicious...
Posted by Devil's Kitchen at September 13, 2007 08:01 PM
Luckily for me I live in Exeter, where the Raj can be relied upon to provide a cheap vindaloo.
...not exactly high class, but they make a good vindy!
Posted by The Last Toryboy at September 13, 2007 09:36 PM
£4.95 on can get you soup, 3 spring rolls and a duck with rice at Mayling on Eversholt Street. And a hefty dose of Monosodium glutomate comes free.
Wong Kei's in Chinatown is amazing so long as you don't mind the fairly brusque service (I don't like sycophantic waiters anyway so I am alright).
I think the number of expensive meals on offer makes the cheap but good gems all the more fun to track down.
Posted by nick at September 13, 2007 10:21 PM
I always order the scrumpy cider
at the Ivy.
Always foxes them!
Posted by RAB at September 14, 2007 12:50 AM
If we are posting favourite eateries of the moment, here is my contribution (Link)
I have been to the one in Newcastle a couple of times in the past few months and thoroughly enjoyed the food, the wine and the service.
Gengee
Posted by Gengee at September 14, 2007 06:33 AM
Contrary to popular belief it is indeed possible to eat a 2 course meal and coffee in The Ivy for under £100 for two, albeit with their house wine and a severely limited a la carte menu. My personal favourite restaurant is still A Cena in Richmond, with one of the very best dessert trollies in the Western world.
Posted by Julian Taylor at September 14, 2007 09:45 AM
Having lived in Tokyo for a few years it's no suprise to me that London beats it to the top of the table. The city-dwelling Japanese eat out several times a week; partly because flats are just so small there that they are rarely thought of as anything more than places to sleep, and partly because the sheer quality and range of food available is so good.
A lovely thing about Japanese dining culture is that it exists so much in pub environments. Just about all drinking in Japan, save some American-style bars in big cities, is centred around food. Beats crowding around a pub table sharing a packet of salt and vinegar Walkers in my book!
Let me know if you ever make it over to Tokyo, Jonathan. Happy to give you a run-down of the culinary delights you must not miss.
Posted by kaibutsu at September 14, 2007 11:17 AM
London the most expensive place to eat in the world - more evidence of a vast credit-money bubble (with all the distortions it brings).
Still have no fear, for example Northern Rock has assets of thirty five billion Pounds.
Accept that, to a modern banker, an "asset" is .............
Posted by Paul Marks at September 15, 2007 09:24 PM
"But Northern Rock is based in Newcastle".
Who said the credit money only comes out in London?
Although most of it does.
Posted by Paul Marks at September 15, 2007 09:27 PM
