Best Fine Dining in Basildon Close

"If the convivial atmosphere of a bistro or elegance of a fine-dining French restaurant leaves you as cold as a steak tartare, Sketch: The Gallery might just be the answer. A feast for all the senses, this unique concept has an emphasis on bold, progressive ‘new French’ food from chef Pierre Gagnaire and even bolder design from Fourth Plinth commissioned artist David Shrigley. Book a table at a French restaurant now."

"Restaurants Contemporary European Mayfair. Like the rest of this luxe Mayfair extravaganza, Sketch’s velvet-clad dandy-esque Gallery is a lesson in more-is-more eclecticism, complete with semi-permanent exhibitions from high-profile artists like David Shrigley. Afternoon tea in this decadent pink boudoir is one of the quirkiest in town."

"The Lecture Room & Library, also known as Sketch, was a new addition to to the list in 2020 and continues to keep its stars. It’s also one of the 16 Mayfair restaurants with Michelin stars in 2020. The Library offers a sophisticated French menu, with a seven-course meal priced at £120."

"We love the classic schmoozy charm of this place, set in the heart of Theatreland. The food is a little like very upmarket pub food, so think half pints of prawns, fish pies, lobster thermidor (what do you mean you've never seen that down the King's Head?), and platters of shellfish galore. There’s an oyster bar next door, too, which made it onto our list of the best oyster bars in London"

"Restaurants British Covent Garden. J Sheekey lures lovers in with its red canopies on St Martin’s Court. What could appeal more than the chance to knock back a plate of native oysters overlooked by photos of the finest stars of stage and screen?"

"Restaurants British Covent Garden"

"Heston Blumenthal’s (really, head chef Ashley Palmer-Watts’) shrine to historically-inspired British cuisine continues to impress, holding two Michelin stars and one of six London restaurants placed on the World’s 50 Best’s counter-intuitive top 120, because it serves precise and innovative food with élan. Exquisite chicken liver parfait “Meat Fruit” is an essential order for the table. From there, each dish is dated and rooted to food from centuries ago."

"The inspiration for the menu at this famous eatery came from the kitchen archives at Hampton Court Palace and old cookbooks from the British Library. So, you’re guaranteed a classic British experience here, with flavour combinations dating back to the 14th-century. Main courses include spiced squab pigeon and powdered duck breast, while the dessert offerings include brown bread ice cream and spring tart."

"Slow roasted for five hours with sweet apple caramel, Heston Blumenthal’s world-famous ‘Tipsy Cake’ is the stuff that dreams are made of. This unique take on a traditional pineapple upside down cake can be found at his revered restaurant ‘Dinner by Heston’."

"Restaurants British King’s Road. Given its name, you’d expect this horticulturally themed venue to tick all the alfresco boxes, and the Ivy’s terrace doesn’t disappoint. By day, its leafy trellises, bloom-filled terracotta pots, water feature and velvet chairs will put you in an off-duty mood faster than you can order an Ivy Garden Royale; at night, fire pits, roaring hearths and lap blankets keep diners toasty and the vibe as chic as can be."

"An Instagrammer's dream spot (and popular with the Made in Chelsea crew too) the Ivy Group brought in an award-winning designer to create the space at their King's Road restaurant. There's a covered upper terrace and a cosy firepit when the weather's not all that, but really it's just an evergreen dream out here."

"Located on the desirable King’s Road, The Ivy Chelsea Garden brings sophisticated all-day dining to the heart of Chelsea. This outpost comes complete with an abundance of verdant foliage, as well as a pergola and water feature.theivychelseagarden.com"

"For more than a decade, customers have been visiting Min Jiang for its spectacular view of Kensington Gardens and staying for its delicious Szechuan and Cantonese cuisine. Located on the 10th floor of the Royal Garden Hotel on Kensington High Street, the restaurant’s chefs specialise in a medley of cooking styles and techniques that have been passed down through generations. If you order one thing, make it the Beijing duck, which is roasted for 45 minutes and presented in two servings: first the skin is crisped with granulated sugar and served with pancakes, and then the meat is served with your choice of noodles, rice, soup or lettuce wraps."

"It may be a lesser known spot, but Chinese restaurant Min Jiang – perched on the tenth floor of the Royal Garden Hotel – boasts one of the best views in London. A hidden gem overlooking the picturesque Kensington Gardens, Min Jiang is renowned for its impeccable service, as well as its picture-perfect vista. Go for the house duck: a whole Beijing duck served two ways, the first with homemade pancakes, and the second a dish of your choice – fried rice, with diced or minced duck and a lettuce wrap."

"Pied à Terre has held at least one Michelin star since 1993, making it one of the oldest Michelin-starred restaurants in London. Restaurants need to evolve, however, and with an imaginative young chef at the helm in Asimakis Chaniotis, who mixes classical French and Greek cooking, it remains contemporary."

"One of London's oldest Michelin-starred restaurants – it’s held at least one star since 1993 – has a fantastic vegetarian/vegan menu showcasing the assured classical French with a touch of Greek cooking of chef Asimakis Chaniotis, served in one of the city’s most fun dining rooms."

"Gorgeously gourmet, and surprisingly reasonable amongst French restaurants with Michelin stars. Pied à Terre’s lunch menu is £29.50 for a starter and main, or £37.50 for three courses, which is likely as cheap as you’ll get for this standard of cooking."

"It’s a cultured pairing and the precise reason why Bel Canto is so unique amongst the best French restaurants in London. The waiters at this Hyde Park eatery are talented opera singers with professional training, singing to guests every 15 minutes in solos, duets and group arias. On top of that, there’s classic French dishes prepared by Gilles Martin, the Brittany-born and Parisian-trained head chef."

"This opera-themed restaurant near Hyde Park serves up French fine dining with a difference: it’s delivered by waiters singing opera classics. So, sit back, relax and enjoy the music – don’t worry, you’ll not have to sing for your supper."

"Forgive us for saving the best until last; if it’s Michelin-starred dining you desire, it might come as a surprise that Reading residents can find it right on the doorstep. Having retained its Michelin star for 18 consecutive years, this beautiful Grade-II listed building (that lost its top floor to a war-time bomb) is the perfect place for a romantic dining experience. Top Chef Tom Clarke has crafted a French modern menu with seasonal, local produce at its heart, with truly spectacular offerings for all dietary requirements."

"If you're looking for one of the best restaurants in Reading, this Michelin-starred eatery in Shinfield should do the trick. Offering a sublime selection of fine French fare, L'Ortolan has scooped acclaim for its innovative dishes and biodynamic wine list."

"Head Chef Tom Clarke is passionate about his cooking, and ensures that the same quality extends right through the whole of the L'Ortolan experience. Address: Church Lane, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9BY"

"They serve up a variety of delicious steaks, sourced from six different countries, with a menu and wine list tailored around those countries to boot. Alongside the highest standards of hospitality, fresh ingredients and tasty cocktails, it becomes one of the most choice destinations in London."

"2-3 Threadneedle Walk, 60 Threadneedle Street, City of London, London, EC2R 8HP. A slick, dimmed dining room gives way to a brightly lit focal point; the meat cabinet, showcasing top-class steak. Kick things off with plates from the raw menu before plumping for Japanese or Argentinean steaks."

"The Davies Alpine House is a somewhat different greenhouse, it is quite long (16m) and high (10m) and was designed to provide ideal conditions, fresh with natural wind for the best conditions the mountain plants. The collection features a wide range of campanulas, dianthus, small ferns, helichrysum, small lavenders, primulas, saxifrage, thymus, tulips and verbascums along with lesser known species."

"Many of the plants at Kew couldn't survive in Britain's grey, damp climate. The Davies Alpine House supports those that thrive in dry, cool, windy conditions of mountainous areas such as succulents and campanulas,"

"This small Victorian woodland plantation was planted in the 1830s, but not opened to the public until 1953. It’s famed for its evergreen azaleas, which are best viewed in late April or early May. The garden includes the National Collection of Wilson 50 Kurume Azaleas, as well as other rare and unusual shrubs and trees."

"Less than an hour from central London, Kew Gardens provides the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city – and of course some Instagram gems. Set over 300 acres and comprised of over 50,000 living plants, this UNESCO World Heritage Site will take you on a captivating journey through a variety of ecosystems. There’s plenty of things to do in Kew Gardens, so set aside at least a few hours, although you could easily turn it into a full day trip from London!"

"Ok, it’s not technically a park, but it most definitely is one of London’s foremost green spaces. Speaking of technicalities, its proper title is actually Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, but when did anyone last call it that?. However you refer to it, Kew is a glorious day out, and with 300 acres and 50,000 plants, you could go every week of the year and discover something new every time."

"12 km from city center 9 out of 40 places to visit in London. A World Heritage Site, London’s Kew Gardens is famous for its sprawling landscape and an impressive collection of flora and fauna. It is home to the world’s most diverse and enchanting species of flora, spread over 121 hectares, and in existence for more than 250 years."

"Well established Italian chain serving pizza, pasta and salads. Takeaway and children’s menus available. To celebrate PizzaExpress' re-opening, get 25% off when you present this voucher."

"Restaurants Cafés Highbury. With its serene but welcoming atmosphere and short but tempting food menu – think breaded halloumi with romesco sauce and Israeli couscous or treacle-cured bacon sarnie with smoked garlic and tomato chutney – Franks will fix your day before it’s even had a chance to go wrong. Good coffee, efficient staff, generous portions and a playlist full of memorable tracks will gently transform you from a duvet zombie to a chipper day-seizer with minimum fuss."

"British , Brunch"

"We’d gone with some friends and I’d ordered some drinks, but they took an HOUR to arrive. More fool me, in fairness, I don’t call them out until 40 minutes in (a friend had made a similar order and they were busy). However after I’d asked them where my drinks were…they took another twenty minutes."

"The name of this Stonegate pub, and the street it is in, recalls the Franciscan monks who came to Reading in the 13th century. The friary built by the monks stood..."

"Everyone can have a little of what they fancy at JRC Global Buffet. They offer a spectacular array of world cuisines, including Indian, Lebanese, British, Italian, French, Japanese, Mexican, Thai, and Chinese, all executed to the highest of standards. They always make sure that loads of kids’ favourites are available - if you can’t decide on a Family restaurant in Wembley Park, this buffet ticks all the boxes."

"A globe-trotting, eat-all-you-like buffet concept, COSMO brings the ultimate crowd-pleasing dining experience to Reading. Launched by Tom Chan back in 2003, COSMO offers a set-price menu, with guests invited to choose from over 150 recipes from the…"