Quaglino's

An icon of St James’s since 1929, Quaglino’s marries 1930s art deco flair with contemporary design, remaining as glamorous as the day Giovanni Quaglino first opened its doors.

Long a high-society favourite, it retains a reputation for style, live music and social buzz, a destination where Londoners and visitors gather for lively moments in one of Central London’s most storied neighbourhoods.

In the kitchen, contemporary European cooking champions high-quality British ingredients. A silken corn-fed roasted chicken velouté with barbecued fillet and crispy skin nods to classical technique, while slow braised pork cheeks meet caramelised cauliflower and black autumn truffle.

Mains move from saddle of wild highland venison with juniper roasting jus to Herefordshire sirloin, rib-eye or fillet, with a choice of sauces. Sides keep things elegant and restrained: pommes frites for the purists, and French beans glossed with caramelised shallot butter.

Sweet finales might lean pistachio, with a satin-cracked crème brûlée, or cherry and chocolate layered with vanilla mousse and cherry stracciatella ice cream.

Whether marking a celebration or an impromptu rendezvous, this polished room brings food, drink and music into easy harmony. Reserve your place and settle in for the sparkle; at Quaglino’s, the night has a habit of singing.