London Restaurant Festival 2011

Ever wanted to go out to eat in London but been put off by the prices? London is a city that offers some of the finest restaurants on the planet run by chefs who are known all over the world. Yet the cost of this of prestige is reflected in the jaw-dropping amounts for a decent meal out. However, for a couple of weeks, the city’s top eateries are making it easier to dine out in style. London Restaurant Festival is the creation of Evening Standard food critic Fay Maschler, which brings down the level of eating out well over a period of two weeks.

Ranging from £10-30 per person, you’re able to take advantage of offers in a wide range of menus across different cuisines, which means there is bound to be something that matches your budget and taste in food.

Starting at the top end of the price range, Gordon Ramsay has two venues that are offering a three course lunch for the same price as a 7-day travelcard. Petrus and Claridge’s are where you can find some pretty darn cheap ways to dine out at a renowned name. Other examples in the top bracket are The Palm down in Knightsbridge. It has forged a reputation for serving up the finest steaks in London, which considering the competition, is one bold claim to make. Another famous name in this field is the Roux at the Landau. A five-star hotel boasting a restaurant to match, the father and son team of Albert and Michel Roux Jr continue to maintain the high standards seen throughout their collection of restaurants.

Moving down the price range, there are a multitude of places to try out over the festival’s duration. If you’re looking for a meal which offers a view of the Thames, head along to the Oxo Tower. If you need a meal to round off a morning’s poking round Borough Market, book in at Roast, which is above the hive of cheesemakers and grocers.

It is almost unfair to introduce the £10 and £15 menus as the bottom of the range as there are fantastic deals to be had. Selected picks are Trishna which offers two courses for the cost of three pints, as does The Draft House by Tower Bridge.

In his conference speech, David Cameron purposefully omitted the instruction to pay off our credit card debts. For once he’s absolutely right. Go out, have yourself a feast as at these prices, you’re scarcely going to make much of a dent on your overdraft.

Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s
Brook Street
Mayfair
W1K 4HR

Tel: 0207 4990 099

Gordon Ramsay at Petrus
1 Kinnerton Street
Belgravia
SW1X 8EA

Tel: 0207 5921 609

The Palm
1 Pont Street
Belgravia
SW1X 9EJ

Tel: 0207 2010 710

Roux at the Landau
1c Portland Place
Soho
W1B 1JA

Tel: 0207 9650 165

OXO Tower
Oxo Tower Wharf
Barge House Street
Waterloo
SE1 9PH

Tel: 0207 8033 888

Roast
The Floral Hall
Borough Market
Stoney Street
Southwark
SE1 1TL

Tel: 0845 0347 300

The Draft House
Tower Bridge Road
Southwark
SE1 2UP

Tel: 0207 3789 995

Trishna
15-17 Blandford Street
Marylebone
W1U 3DG

Tel: 0207 9355 624