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Contributor: Ronald Thomson, President, Cameron Thomson Group Ltd, Toronto, ON
My pick: “The Wolseley”, 160 Piccadilly, London, England
Category: Breakfast, Dinner
Occasion: Entertaining VIP Clients, Dining Alone, On a Budget
Why: “You have to try their steak frites, French fries and salad. Great wines and reasonable prices in an elegant environment.”
Contributor: Ion Valaskakis, Vice-President, Licensing, Airborne Entertainment, Montreal, QC
My pick: “Asia de Cuba”, 45 St. Martin’s Lane, London, England
Category: Dinner
Occasion: Celebrating a Win!
Why: “A great Asian-Fusion resto within walking distance of Covent Gardne, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square and the Theatre District.”
Contributor: Fiona Stedman, Director, ITV Television, London, England
My pick: “Busaba Eathai”, 106 Wardour Street, London, England
Category: Lunch, Dinner
Occasion: Dining Alone, In a Rush, On a Budget
Why: “Try their duck salad amd green Thai curry chicken. Best Thai in central London and best prices too. If you're looking for a quick bite before/after the theater, this is the place to go. Communal eating tables make for an evening of fun-filled conversation with your neighbours, who undoubtedly will be from all corners of this world. Dark wood decor, buzzy and busy atmosphere. Food is delicious and portions are plentiful. Extremely reasonably priced as well.”
Contributor: Will Rivers, Advisor, KPMG Advisory, London, England
My pick: “Hudsons Restaurant”, 113 Lower Richmond Road, Putney, London
Category: Lunch, Dinner
Occasion: Entertaining VIP Clients, Celebrating a win!
Why: “If you have a hearty appetite for traditional English food in a warm and friendly setting then there is no place better to go. Can be a bit of a struggle to find, but well worth the journey. You'll never leave hungry and you'll never taster better Fish Pie!”
Contributor: Fiona Stedman, Director, ITV Television, London, England
My pick: “Cecconi’s”, 5 Burlington Gardens, London, England
Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Occasion: Entertaining VIP Clients, Celebrating a Win!, Dining Alone
Why: “Try their crab ravioli. Great venue, buzzy atmosphere, fantastic service, solid Italian menu. Has a bit of a NYC sense about it. Excellent for breakfast too. Prices in line with Mayfair area.”
Contributor: Fiona Stedman, Director, ITV Television, London, England
My pick: “Zuma”, 5 Raphael Street, London, England
Category: Lunch, Dinner
Occasion: Entertaining VIP Clients, Celebrating a Win!
Why: “Try their Ise Ebi, whole native lobster tempura with spicy ponzu. Must start off with a cocktail at the bar. Great spot to people-watch some of the most glamorous characters in London.”
Contributor: Mark Bowden, President, Effective Communication in Business, Toronto, ON
My pick: “Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s”, Brook Street, Mayfair, London, England
Category: Dinner
Occasion: Entertaining VIP Clients, Celebrating a Win!
Why: “Gordon Ramsay is as world famous for his Hell’s Kitchen temper as for being the only three Michelin starred chef in London. Claridge's dining room is total elegance, but the hot seats are at the 'chef's table' for eight right next to the pass. You need to book months in advance to entertain guests there, but call up or drop by during the day to get in on an evening cancellation and you’ll entertain a client with the best gastronomic experience in all of London. Prices are also the most reasonable in the city with an average price of £55 a head!”
Contributor: Mark Bowden, President, Effective Communication in Business, Toronto, ON
My pick: “Jamie Oliver's 15”, Old Street, London, England
Category: Dinner
Occasion: Entertaining VIP Clients, Celebrating a Win!, On a Budget
Why: “Jamie Oliver's restaurant uses a rotating 15 trainees from disadvantaged backgrounds and has all profits going to the Cheeky Chops charity fund. The daily changing menu consists of beginnings such as "My favourite new salad" - a mix of tarragon, grapes, salted ricotta, oil and Sicilian lemon - £7. There are "pasta & risotto etc." menu items such as Home made pappardelle, with slow roasted wild rabbit, finished with rosemary and orange - £9. The mains include "Comforting" poached organic chicken, baby veg and dragoncello sauce - £15 or Chargrilled line caught sea bass fillet with deep artichokes, rocket chilli and mint - £17.50. Expect to pay around £35 for dinner and drinks.”
Contributor: Debbie Gracie-Smith, President, CRATOS Technology Solutions Inc, Mississauga, ON
My pick: “Velvets”, 11-12 Hirsts Road, Leeds, England
Category: Dinner
Occasion: Entertaining VIP Clients, Celebrating a Win!, Dining Alone
Why: “This is a lovely little restaurant, which is on the second floor of the building. They have 7 or 8 daily specials. The salads are superb, meats are perfectly cooked and desserts are wonderful. Main entrees seem to be beef oriented but lots of choice of fish, chicken, duck, honeyed rabbit and vegetarian dishes. Unusually good service for the UK. Very cosy with fireplace, nice ambience.”
Contributor: Debbie Gracie-Smith, President, CRATOS Technology Solutions Inc, Mississauga, ON
My pick: “New Orleans”, The Lanes, Brighton, England
Category: Dinner
Occasion: Entertaining VIP Clients, Celebrating a Win!, Dining Alone, On a Budget
Why: “All the pastas here are good to great, and their beef dishes are good as well. One of their signature drinks is the Flaming Lamborghini, which they set on fire, so be careful if you try it! The service is slow, but it is the UK, so not unusual. They love large parties as well as provide personal service to the solo diner.”
Contributor: Thomas Haig, ex-President & COO, Zellers, Toronto, ON
My pick: “Patara”, 3 Maddox St (near Oxford St), London, England
Category: Dinner
Occasion: Dining Alone
Why: “Once of the best Thai restaurants I have ever experienced. If you like to cook buy their cookbook. You have to try their shrimp and lemon grass.”
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