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Table for two? Come back in 2007
By Amar Singh, Evening Standard 19.12.06
Late dinner: The Wolseley is full at 8pm Thursday and Friday
Look here too
London's top restaurants are nearly all fully booked in the run-up to Christmas. Many are turning away customers and telling them to come back in the New Year.
Restaurants that still have tables available before Christmas can post details at the bottom of this article - CLICK HERE
The last week before the shut-down is normally less frantic with offices closing early for the Chrismas break.
But this year London's booming economy, a huge influx of foreign tourists taking advantage of a good exchange rate and a bumper City bonus round means restaurants are in demand as never before. Many couples are paying up to £200 for their night out.
An Evening Standard snapshot of London's most popular restaurants reveals how difficult it is to get a reservation, despite new openings over recent months.
Iqbal Wahhab, who runs Roast in Southwark and the Cinnamon Club in Westminster, said:" I don't like turning anyone away, so we are saying to people, 'You can have your dinner here but you will have to wait until January and we'll give you a special price'.
"Or I've suggested to some groups that they should have a champagne breakfast. It's proving to be quite a popular option."
It is the same story at Langan's Brasserie in Piccadilly, where a spokesman said: "It is just a mad season for us. We can't take bookings for large groups - but in January we have availability most days."
The River Café in Hammersmith is also fully booked until next year. Manager Dante MacIlwaine said: "We don't have any more big tables before Christmas. We are pretty much full until the New Year."
Almost all of London's most highly-rated restaurants are unable to offer even a table for two at 8pm on Thursday and Friday and the shortage has led to the phenomenon of the "January Christmas party" with bookings needed weeks in advance.
SO WHERE CAN YOU DINE OUT AT 8PM THIS THURSDAY OR FRIDAY?
The Wolseley, W1
Full at 8pm Thursday and Friday. On Thursday the earliest table available is at 10.45pm. On Friday there are tables at 5.45pm or 10.15pm.
J Sheekey, WC2
Full at 8pm both nights. Earliest available tables are at 11pm.
Le Caprice, SW1
Full all week.
Zuma, SW7
Full at 8pm both nights, with no space at all on Thursday. On Friday, the only available table is at 6pm.
Le Gavroche, W1
Full at 8pm both nights. Earliest available tables are at 10.30pm.
Cipriani, W1
Full at 8pm both nights but tables are available at 7pm and 10.45pm.
The Square, W1
Full on Thursday, one table for two available at 8pm on Friday.
Maze, W1
Full at 8pm both nights, earliest available tables are at 10.30pm. No room for large groups.
Marcus Wareing at the Savoy Grill, WC2
Full at 8pm both nights. On Thursday there is room at 6.30pm, 9.15pm and 10pm. On Friday the earliest table for two is at 10pm. No room for big groups.
River Cafè, W8
Fully booked.
Nobu, W1
On Thursday there are tables available at 7pm and 9.45pm. On Friday there is space at 7pm and 9pm.
Scott's, W1
Fully booked on Thursday, tables available at 7.30pm on Friday.
Hakkasan, W1
Tables available at 6pm and 10.45pm on Thursday and at 6pm and 10.15pm on Friday.
The Ivy, WC2
Fully booked.
Oxo Tower Restaurant, SE1
On Thursday there are tables for two at 7pm and on Friday a couple can dine any time after 5.30pm.
The Connaught, W1
Angela Hartnett's Menu: fully booked both nights.
The Grill Room: fully booked on Thursday, one table for two available on Friday at 8.30pm.
Tom Aitkens, SW3
Fully booked both nights.
Chez Bruce, SW17
Fully booked both nights.
Bentley's, W1
On Thursday there are tables for two between 6pm and 7.15pm, then between 8.30pm and 11pm. On Fridays there is availability between 6pm and 7.30pm, then 8.30pm to 11pm.
Mirabelle, W1
A table for two (or eight) is available at 7pm or 9.30pm on both nights.
Christopher's, WC2
On both nights there are tables for two available at 8pm.
Zilli Fish, W1
Fully booked on Thursday but tables for two are available all evening on Friday.
Babylon at the Roof Gardens, W8
Table for two available at 7.30pm on Thursday. Nothing available Friday and no space for large groups on either day.
Clarke's Restaurant, W8
Table for two available on Thursday and Friday at 8.15pm. Can also take a group of 10.
Amaya, SW1
Table for two available both nights at 7.15pm and 9pm. On Thursday there is also room for a group of 10.
Langan's Bistro, W1
Table for two available at 8pm on both nights.
Langan's Brasserie, W1
Earliest available table for two is at 9.30pm both nights. No space for a large group.
The Ledbury Restaurant, W11
A table for two is available at 7pm and 9.30pm on both nights.
Reader views (1)
We still have some spaces for Today (Wednesday); Thursday (in both the upstairs restaurant - No live music and downstairs with the live music/belly dancer); Friday (Upstairs - no live music); Saturday (in both the upstairs restaurant - No live music and downstairs with the live music/belly dancer) and Sunday (in both the upstairs restaurant - No live music and downstairs with the live music/belly dancer).
- Efes 2, London W1W; England
