Langan's, once co-owned by actor Michael Caine, has been a see-and-be-seen kind of place for decades. Original modern art and soft colors combine to create a chic atmosphere to match the smart crowd. Yet behind its layers of style lies a kitchen with an affection for British home cooking.
Thus, you'll usually find bangers and mash (sausage links and mashed potatoes, $22), hot potted shrimp on toast ($9), fish and chips ($23) and apricot/whiskey bread pudding ($7) on the lengthy menu, along with beautifully rendered bistro classics such as veal cordon bleu ($24) and roasted stuffed chicken ($21).
_____News from France_____
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Paris Marks Liberation Mindful of Collaboration (The Washington Post, Aug 26, 2004)
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Socialite Susan Mary Alsop Dies (The Washington Post, Aug 19, 2004)
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Lucrative Cash Package Came as Fairchild Reported $53.2 Million Loss (The Washington Post, Aug 16, 2004)
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Stratton Street W1, telephone 011-44-20-7491-8822. Open Monday-Friday for lunch, Monday-Saturday for dinner. Tube stop: Green Park.
Red Fort
Nearest theaters: Prince Edward, Palace, Phoenix, Queens, London Palladium.
When Red Fort opened in the early '80s, it received raves from critics and set a new standard for the city's Indian restaurants. Today, this pretty restaurant is still at the top of its game, though the field is now crowded with competition. Standout specialties include monkfish with a coriander and yogurt sauce ($25), roasted leg of lamb ($24) and chicken with coriander and red chilies ($19).
A pre-theater menu (5:45-7 p.m.) with two courses is $25. Starters include prawns in a light batter, roasted sweet potato with pear, nectarine and green apple, and tandoori chicken with cloves; main course options include roasted salmon with ginger and honey, and vegetable dumplings in a light tomato sauce. A similar offer at lunch (noon-3 p.m.) is $19 for two courses.
77 Dean St. W1, telephone 011-44-20-7437-2115. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Tube stop: Tottenham Court Road.
Rowley's
Nearest theaters:Comedy, Criterion, Haymarket, Her Majesty's, Prince of Wales.
A sweet little restaurant with an Edwardian interior, Rowley's is on elegant Jermyn Street, which runs parallel to Piccadilly. Its specialty is charcoal-grilled Scottish steak and breast of Sussex chicken with an herb butter sauce. Both specialties ($26) are served with unlimited French fries, and if you're still hungry a second steak or chicken breast is an additional $6.
But save room for dessert ($9): It might be warm polenta tart with Marsala or plum strudel with clotted cream.
113 Jermyn St. SW1, telephone 011-44-20-7930-2707. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Tube stop: Piccadilly Circus.
Terrace
Nearest theaters: Piccadilly, Prince of Wales, Lyric, Apollo, Criterion, Her Majesty's, Haymarket.
For a view that rivals the food, look no further than Terrace, a lovely, sophisticated glass-domed restaurant in Le Meridien Piccadilly hotel. It's the first London venture of chef Michel Rostang, who brings with him the style of his Parisian bistros and two Michelin stars.
Seafood entrees are always top-notch, with choices such as sea bass with buttered beans and asparagus ($30) and pan-fried scallops with roasted potatoes ($35). The braised breast of veal served with a stuffed tomato ($28) is another winner. End with chocolate cake with pistachio ice cream ($14) or apple tart ($11).
