The Ivy

Mrs Richard treated me to dinner at The Ivy just before Christmas, the interior was not what i had expected..no small little alcoves etc..any one else been..?

Where at The Ivy?

Well there is the Club at the Ivy where all the zelebrities dine and The Ivy upstairrs where wanna be's/were (as per pro has beens) dine and downstaurs where others get to feel lucky to get a table.

Sorry as you can tell I am not a fan - use to be but no more. I prefer Le Caprice or Sheekeys for a decent supper in more cordial surroundings - and so do the real the A list celebs these days.

Regards,

Hackneyguy

Must admit...i do prefer The Chesnut Horse, Easton which is just outside of Winchester..!!

quote:Originally posted by Richard
Must admit...i do prefer The Chesnut Horse, Easton which is just outside of Winchester..!!


LOL - well to be honest I prefer the chip shop at the end of my road to The Ivy but I cant take a hot date there - well not more than once !!

Have been to both Ivys - London about two years ago and in the one in West Hollywood about a month ago. Not at all what I expected either, although I was actually pleasantly surprised. The food was very good (no surprise), but the staff were completely without attitude towards two not-so-glam types with Belfast accents and very accommodating in providing for my wife's special dietary needs. Prices were almost reasonable too! Didn't see any celebs though, although we bowled up to the London Ivy in a huge Rolls Royce (long story!)and we were photographed when we went in and again when we left by tourists and the odd 'pap', just in case we 'were' somebody - which was nice!

I love The Ivy, rarely had a bad meal and the service has always been exemplary (have never been treated as a 'second class' citizen) - not something you can say about other 'top end' restaurants.

I've dined at both (UK and LA) several times...always had great service and great food. I don't go there to see somebody...I go there because I am somebody.

Carry on.

GJ

I'm always amazed at how reasonably priced it is compared with other well known establishments. I don't go often but I agree the service is always good too.

we go there not to be seen or see just good food at a good price, the only thing is the lack of space.

agree food wise it's fab, and pretty good value for what it is. I thought it was pokey but not so much to be uncomfortable.. just more intimate.

quote:Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
I've dined at both (UK and LA) several times...always had great service and great food. I don't go there to see somebody...I go there because I am somebody.

Carry on.

GJ

We didn't go there to see just somebody - we went to see GJ. Disappointingly, he wasn't there, so we had to make do with Paxman instead.

Only been the once (us Northern Types can't really abide too many trips down to t'Big Smoke); thought the service, ambience and - in particular - the food were great.

Went there for the 3 year wedding commiseration in May, had to wait 45 minutes over our alloted table time due to a singer of a well known irish boyband not being arsed to move out of his seat and let us have lunch. The management were in no mood to hurry him up.

Otherwise food, table service and knowledge of the wine list was excellent.

The Ivy was once good, now ordinary and never ever go on a Saturday night when you'll find c**** and s********* and godawfulness (ask Mannion for the letters to fill the stars).

Much prefer Sheekey's which is like the Ivy used to be, only better and if you want similar the Wolseley too.

[RichardMannion]

Slinks, whatever do you mean!

Whilst the Savoy is closed for renovations, my top tip for a good lunch in London is Ramsay's Maze Grill:
http://www.gordonramsay.com/mazegrill/menus/setlunch/

15 for 2 courses or 18 for 3. Great steak and frites!

quote:Originally posted by RichardMannion
my top tip for a good lunch in London is Ramsay's Maze Grill:
http://www.gordonramsay.com/mazegrill/menus/setlunch/

15 for 2 courses or 18 for 3. Great steak and frites!


And they make a delicious gruel with Farley's rusks that is much to His Grace's taste.

GJ

quote:Originally posted by RichardMannion
Slinks, whatever do you mean!

Whilst the Savoy is closed for renovations, my top tip for a good lunch in London is Ramsay's Maze Grill:
http://www.gordonramsay.com/mazegrill/menus/setlunch/

15 for 2 courses or 18 for 3. Great steak and frites!


I am holding out for the Savoy to reintroduce the Sunday Jazz Brunch when it re-opens.[y]

[ChuckC]

Well, the Savoy is certainly not the Ivy and vice versa. Thanks to Richard Mannion who managed to get a bunch of V-Flyers in to the place I've enjoyed one delicious lunch at the Savoy which went on for nearly four hours, but who was counting?

Also with thanks to Pete this Yankee finally found my way to London's Ivy. The food was excellent but my heavens, the place was crowded and the seating leaves those with one or two stone extra girth without much room to navigate, let alone be seated comfortably.

With TonyS I've explored Gordon Ramsay's place at the London Marriott. A five-course creative extravaganza, it was, but the quantity of food served was disappointingly small. Heard very good things about Maze during my recent trip to London and will look to try it, hopefully later this year.

Chuck-