Apsleys' three-course lunch costs £24.
Planning a trip to London this summer? With the weak dollar, fine dining can burn through your budget faster than a ride around the Eye. One affordable way to experience some of the city's more noteworthy restaurants is to seek out those offering lunch specials. Below are some deals to help you make the most of your trip across the pond.
Under £25
Apsleys: The Lanesborough hotel's new restaurant offers three courses for £24 – so your bill won't be as posh as the surroundings.
Arbutus: The three-course lunch menu costs £15.50 and offers choices like
porchetta with apple purée and roast rabbit leg with
soft-herb risotto.
Cellar Gascon: For just £15, the new set lunch menu gets you the dish of the day, plus a glass of wine with cheese or coffee with dessert.
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon: Two courses at this French classic will only set you back £19, while three courses cost £25.
Le Café Anglais: This lunch special – two courses for £16.50, three for £19.50 – won't blow your whole Whiteleys budget.
Ristorante Semplice: You’ll have money left over for shopping after this £16 two-course menu (three courses cost £19), which includes selections like roast duck with lentils and sautéed spinach.
£25 and Up
Club Gascon: Confit of organic salmon is just one of the tempting selections on Pascal Aussignac’s £28 three-course lunch menu.
Dorchester (Hotel) – The Grill: Chef Aiden Byrne’s menu offers two courses for £25 (or three for £27.50). Choose from dishes like terrine of smoked foie gras with duck confit and chocolate-and-coconut parfait with bitter chocolate mousse.
Hibiscus: You used to have to schlep to Shropshire to sample Claude Bosi fare – now you can taste it in Mayfair for just £25 for three courses at lunch.
Le Gavroche:
The most famous lunch special in town is three courses for £48 at this
classic French restaurant; a half bottle of wine and coffee are
included.
Sketch – The Lecture Room & Library:
The weekly changing Gourmet Rapide menu, which lets you nip in and out in an hour, offers two courses for £30 or three
courses for £35 including coffee and petits fours.
Tom Aikens: The three-course menu changes weekly, and your £29 even includes coffee and petits fours. Some recent offerings: cured venison with venison carpaccio, and John Dory with poached apricot, courgette, apricot purée and basil oil.
– Susan Kessler