Best historic restaurants
Bleeding Heart Tavern
Named in memory of seventeenth-century It-girl, Lady Elizabeth Hatton, who was found murdered in Bleeding Heart Yard, this drinking and eating den also featured in Dickens’s ‘Little Dorrit’. Although here since 1746, much about the tavern is bang up-to-date: the provenance-based British menu, the interesting drinks list and links to a New Zealand winery.
Bleeding Heart Yard, off Greville St, EC1N (020 7242 8238/www.bleedingheart.co.uk) Faringdon tube/rail.
The Ritz
Everyone should take tea at The Ritz at least once in their life. Frequent winner of the Tea Council’s award for Top Tea Place of the year, you need to book well in advance but the hotel’s Palm Court with marble columns, chandeliers, ornate ceiling and heavy drapes is a spectacular setting to enjoy finely cut sandwiches and raisin and apple scones fresh from the oven. The list of 17 teas graciously welcomes even those avoiding caffeine.
150 Piccadilly, W1J (020 7493 8181/www.theritzhotel.co.uk) Green Park tube.
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Rules
London’s first restaurant is a tourist trap on Sundays when everyone turns up for the trademark roasts, but on weekday lunchtimes it is a cosy, rather refined treat and one of the best places in town to sample game. Sit among the stuffed animals, stained glass and cartoons for dishes such as braised roe deer cobbler with horseradish, walnuts, crispy bacon and carrots.
Rules, 35 Maiden Lane, WC2E (020 7836 5314/www.rules.co.uk) Covent Garden tube.
Sweetings
Take a high stool at Sweetings’ linen-covered counter for potted shrimp, fish pie and spotted dick. This restaurant has been serving lunches to City gents since 1830 and remains charmingly shabby.
Sweetings, 39 Queen Victoria St, EC4N (020 7248 3062) Mansion House tube.
Wiltons
Established in 1742 and appropriately set on genteel Jermyn Street, Wiltons blends good food with a delightfully old-fashioned interior of cosy booths and sporting pictures. Fish, shellfish and game are the specialities and there’s a choice of savouries to enjoy in place of dessert.
Wiltons, 55 Jermyn St, SW1Y (020 7629 9955/www.wiltons.co.uk/www.wiltons.co.uk) Green Park or Piccadilly Circus tube.
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6 comments
what about pall mall barbers,27 whitcomb st
www.pallmallbarbers.com
Best bookshops eh? I feel Biblion, the Antiquarian bookshop at Grays Antique Market should of been included! Its a treasure trove. Truly helpful staff, amazing diversity of books and in an Antiques Market! Its full of character and in a great location!
What about
Best Sunday Afternoons in spring/ summer/ autumn/ winter
once again - using the 'print' feature of this feature results in text obliterated by fotos in the layout.......
I would add St. John's Bread & Wine (in Commercial St.) to 'Best Breakfasts'. Brioche, porridge with prunes, delicious fresh rhubarb - it's all amazing. In fact, I think I'm gonna go tomorrow...!
Best barbers? Ya... They are also for women? (!!??) Please, let me know about the best hairdresser! I'm new in town (I'm portuguese), and really dont know where to cut my hair. With style, of course!