London & Paris recommendations

[classicalthunde]

Hello!

Taking a trip to Europe this spring and planning on doing 4 days in London and 4 days in Paris and am in search of some recommendations outside of the standard to help build out our itinerary, particularly in Paris. Some things we would be looking for input on:

Fine Dining - looking to treat ourselves to a top restaurant for traditional/continental cuisine, up to and including 3-star Michelin rated

Cocktail Lounges - any places known for outstanding cocktails or places that have a storied history (I've heard of Harry's New York Bar and thrown that on the list already)

Cafes - looking for some scenic and quintessential french cafes to spend some time people watching

Must-see stores - we probably won't purchase too much on this trip fashion wise, but its always fun to go take a look. Is there a Parisian equivalent of Savile Row or Harrods? Also, since this is the London Lounge, any good places to buy cut lengths of vintage cloth?

Cabaret/Burlesque shows - Is the Moulin Rouge worth it or is it a tourist trap? Any other shows that are better more entertaining?

Thanks in advance!

[Concordia]

In London, the bar at Duke's Hotel in St James is supposedly well-liked. I'm too much of a wine guy to have a firm opinion, but the setting is quite delightful, and the G&Ts are extraordinarily good.

[classicalthunde]

thanks! I've heard of Dukes and I think we'll put that on the list!

[Concordia]

Most of the tables will have "reserved" signs on them.

Not literally true-- meant to scare away the unwelcome. So either (a) stay in the hotel, (b) be well-dressed and behaved, or (c) reserve a table for yourself.

[classicalthunde]

good to know!

[andy57]

I assume this trip didn't happen, courtesy of Covid-19. Indeed, it may be a long time before such journeys are again possible.

In London, some excellent restaurants include the following:
Rules, in Covent Garden, oldest restaurant in London, renowned for game, and other traditionally English fare.
Wilton's in Jermyn Street. Simply the best.
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
The Wolseley, in Piccadilly, is a bit more casual and bustling.
Any restaurant in Claridge's
And many, many others. A lot depends on what you want to eat, and where in London you want. There are excellent places in Chelsea, Kensington, Mayfair, Soho, the City, Spitalfields, etc. Just not the East End.

Then there is the entire Cream Tea genre. That is a lifelong quest for the canonical tea. One of the best cream teas, oddly enough, is at the British Museum. Ideally, one would have a cream tea in a little tea room in some village way out in the country, but London has some fine teas. Fortnum's for example, is an experience not to be missed. Add one of their rarebits to the order and you are all set. Then you must ask yourself the eternal question: jam first or cream first? One answer is correct, the other will mark you ineluctably as a heathen.

I'm not too familiar with bars, except Duke's. If you don't want to be turned away, or to have a long wait for a table, go earlier in the afternoon, say 4pm. The bar starts to get busy by 5pm. Or go later, after dinner. I've been there around 9;30 or 10 and it is much more quiet.
Also, just around the corner is the American Bar, in the Stafford Hotel. The bar in The Connaught is excellent and, like Duke's, provides memorable martini theater.

As I write this, I realize it has been simply a Sunday morning exercise in wishing I was on a plane on final approach to Heathrow, with a week in London ahead of me. Who knows when that will happen once more?

[pur_sang]

I assume this trip didn't happen, courtesy of Covid-19. Indeed, it may be a long time before such journeys are again possible.

In London, some excellent restaurants include the following:
Rules, in Covent Garden, oldest restaurant in London, renowned for game, and other traditionally English fare.
Wilton's in Jermyn Street. Simply the best.
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
The Wolseley, in Piccadilly, is a bit more casual and bustling.
Any restaurant in Claridge's
And many, many others. A lot depends on what you want to eat, and where in London you want. There are excellent places in Chelsea, Kensington, Mayfair, Soho, the City, Spitalfields, etc. Just not the East End.

Then there is the entire Cream Tea genre. That is a lifelong quest for the canonical tea. One of the best cream teas, oddly enough, is at the British Museum. Ideally, one would have a cream tea in a little tea room in some village way out in the country, but London has some fine teas. Fortnum's for example, is an experience not to be missed. Add one of their rarebits to the order and you are all set. Then you must ask yourself the eternal question: jam first or cream first? One answer is correct, the other will mark you ineluctably as a heathen.

I'm not too familiar with bars, except Duke's. If you don't want to be turned away, or to have a long wait for a table, go earlier in the afternoon, say 4pm. The bar starts to get busy by 5pm. Or go later, after dinner. I've been there around 9;30 or 10 and it is much more quiet.
Also, just around the corner is the American Bar, in the Stafford Hotel. The bar in The Connaught is excellent and, like Duke's, provides memorable martini theater.

As I write this, I realize it has been simply a Sunday morning exercise in wishing I was on a plane on final approach to Heathrow, with a week in London ahead of me. Who knows when that will happen once more?

Wilton's look like my kind of place, thank you for that, have to try next time.

I think London is one of the best cities in the world for food these days, maybe not absolute best in any one cuisine, but good variety at a good level.

Also, come on, don't be so hard on the East End, there are some good food there too.

[aston]

I would add Le Gavroche to the list; excellent food and peerless service. And for a bit of shabby chic the Dean Street Townhouse.

[andy57]

And many, many others. A lot depends on what you want to eat, and where in London you want. There are excellent places in Chelsea, Kensington, Mayfair, Soho, the City, Spitalfields, etc. Just not the East End.

Also, come on, don't be so hard on the East End, there are some good food there too.

Enlighten me.

[belimad]

And many, many others. A lot depends on what you want to eat, and where in London you want. There are excellent places in Chelsea, Kensington, Mayfair, Soho, the City, Spitalfields, etc. Just not the East End.

Also, come on, don't be so hard on the East End, there are some good food there too.

Enlighten me.

Knowing you, Andy (and just a little bit), I would only venture to offer La Dame de Pic by Tower Hill, Angler, at the top of South Place Hotel in Moorgate, and The Clove Club in Hackney.
Oh. St. John too (either the original one in Clerkenwell or the more informal Bread and Wine in Spitalfields).

[couch]

+1 for St Johns.

[andy57]

Also, come on, don't be so hard on the East End, there are some good food there too.

Enlighten me.

Knowing you, Andy (and just a little bit), I would only venture to offer La Dame de Pic by Tower Hill, Angler, at the top of South Place Hotel in Moorgate, and The Clove Club in Hackney.
Oh. St. John too (either the original one in Clerkenwell or the more informal Bread and Wine in Spitalfields).

Thanks, Mariano! Should some semblance of normalcy ever return and we again find ourselves in the barren wastelands of the London ExCeL, East End options would be welcome. I'll put these on my list.

[belimad]

Enlighten me.

Knowing you, Andy (and just a little bit), I would only venture to offer La Dame de Pic by Tower Hill, Angler, at the top of South Place Hotel in Moorgate, and The Clove Club in Hackney.
Oh. St. John too (either the original one in Clerkenwell or the more informal Bread and Wine in Spitalfields).

Thanks, Mariano! Should some semblance of normalcy ever return and we again find ourselves in the barren wastelands of the London ExCeL, East End options would be welcome. I'll put these on my list.

I'll drink to that semblance of normalcy! Looking forward to seeing you around these parts my friend.

[ballmouse]

Locke & Co is a nice shot to visit, even just to look and try on the hats. I must've been there 2 hours just trying on hats and not a peep from the salespeople. They aren't pushy and were glad to assist when it was asked for. I can't think of many shops that had the right balance of quality goods, proper salespeople, and the perfect atmosphere.

[Concordia]

Excellent cloth caps in the back, including up to size 8. And if you have an extra yard of LL cloth, they will make one for you out of that.