An ideal menu

[storeynicholas]

You're in London. It is October 15th. You wish to arrange a dinner for two (comprising 4 courses and accompanying wines), at any restaurant or club you choose, begiinning at 8.00pm; after cocktails, with friends, between 6.30 and 7.30pm in any bar you choose. Where would you go, at each stage; what would you choose - and why? Your companion follows your choices. For the avoidance of doubt, this question is aimed, equally, at both gentlemen and lady members of the LL - you are in charge!
NJS

[culverwood]

I would generally prefer to meet at a decent pub but your post seems to be for a more formal evening so start for 'cocktails' at one of the hotel bars the hotel depends on where you are having dinner as it does not want to be too far away.

At the moment I have an anti Ramsay prejudice (no particular reason for it except his character) so that rules out a number of good restaurants. Four courses rules out Indian and other Eastern cuisines for me though at somewhere like Benares you could do it.

In your circumstance I would start with drinks at the Connaught and then have dinner at La Gavroche. Not terribly original I agree but not likely to let you down.

I will not put down what I would eat or drink as this would change from season to season depending what was on the menu. But in October, perhaps a starter including jamón ibérico de bellota which I love, a fish course with a good piece of white fish not too heavily mucked about, some sort of game for the main, for pudding raspberries from wherever they are in season flown in and a lot of cheeses to finish.
Wines should be to match and as I do not know their list at the moment I would rely on their sommelier's advice but I am partial to a Gewürztraminer, Bierzo and Pedro Ximanez.

[Bishop of Briggs]

Drinks at the Connaught followed by dinner at Scott's.

You could have some retail therapy at Rubinacci or Doug Hayward's (RIP!) shop too.

[couch]

For the cocktails, it would depend on the drinks and the mood you sought. Dukes Hotel bar for classic martinis; clubby but not too dark. I haven't tried the renovated bars in the Connaught; the old American bar was a quiet and cozy backwater. I did have a wonderful afternoon tea there when the Gallery reopened this summer; one of the best ever--more intimate setting than Claridges and food and drink as good or better. The French serving staff was first-rate and clearly on a mission to restore the Connaught's reputation. Helene Darroze has gotten excellent reviews, so I'd be tempted to try that for your four courses. In fine weather you might walk from Dukes. Can anyone offer a review yet?

The most magical meal I've had in London to date was at Petrus, and if price is not an object you'd be in excellent hands there, though again a bit out of the way; probably a cab ride in order. An elegant and subdued set of rooms, soft and quiet but understated and modern. Service you only notice occasionally and with pleasure.

For a buzzier, airier modern cocktail bar, the Lobby Bar at One Aldwych is nice but the offerings are somewhat limited and it's out of the way near Covent Garden (unless you're off to the opera or theatre). For a boisterous and vaguely 18th-century evening you'd do worse than Hix, a chop house with a dozen varieties of oysters and superb grilled meats, with a splendid wine list. Le Gavroche is hard to fault if very cozy and mellow and upholstered in feel; if it's getting cool by mid-October it might appeal.

I look forward to seeing others' responses here, for future reference.

[DD MacDonald]

StoreyN, we need a bit more info to dial this in. Let me know your thoughts to the following questions:

1. dining with a man or a woman?
2. date? social? or business?
3. any need to be in a specific part of town/aversion to taking a cab?
4. any budget restrictions?

Were it my dinner and it being 10/15 with the shooting season open, I would call Jacque or Phillip Howard at The Square and have them get me a couple of woodcock, order a beautiful Cornas or Burdundy and be done with it. I might not even need a partner for the meal. It's early for the birds, but the restaurant is clever and the chef has a deft hand with game.

DDM

[storeynicholas]

DDMacDonald,
You can choose the reasons, dining partner (or none). The budget - let's say ample means moderately applied, so that you are not constrained and you can move about as you wish - you're starting in London. I like the idea of woodcock.I did choose the date so that most things would be available (including game including, in turn, some venison) and if you want raspberries flown in - well you can have those too!
NJS

[DD MacDonald]

I'll offer two.

If you have a date or a social dinner with a woman, go to The Ledbury in Notting Hill. There is a great street for ladies fashion withing walking distance - find a puh, have a drink and window shop on your way to dinner.

If a man, start at a pub like the 3 Crowns just below Jermyn St on Babmaes St and stroll back to Wilton's. I don't care what anyone says about Hix or St. Johns (which are great) as examples of well curated english cooking, if you want a real lesson in the english art of seafood from smoked salmon to oysters to a perfect grilled dover sole, I doubt that you can do better.

Two choices, both exemplars of the modern English, two directions.

DDM