Eating Out in Knightsbridge

I visited a truly excellent restaurant last night in what some might say are the swank surroundings of Knightsbridge.  I hadn't time to notice.  It was a case of late in, late out, and preoccupation drove the elegance of the area out of my head.  Normally, my pace would be more sedate and I would take time to appreciate the environment, the people and the happenings around me.

Last night, I was meeting up with someone for dinner  -   the wife was left at home  - and I only cared about getting a good table and hopefully a better meal.  Eating out in London is one of the great pleasures of living in this city, as much for the diversity as for the mostly  -  but not always  -  divine food.

For the London visitor, I would recommend some culinary exploring.  It is something of a journey of discovery finding your way around a big city through its spread of eateries and multivarious offerings of good dining.  I would say it is as much part of a London visit as going to see 'The Mousetrap' or Madame Tussauds ... and every bit as pleasurable.  The only thing: be selective, but at the same time adventurous.  Remember, you are exploring.

The friend I was meeting was there before me, and I was conscious and more than a little apologetic for my tardiness. But he has a good heart and is forgiving.  Although, mind you, his looks somewhat belie his good nature.  He is tall, imposing looking  - military almost  -  mercenary almost  - and one of these unfortunate guys who looks distant and unfriendly, but is, in fact, infinitely kind.  At times too, he takes on a look of lethargy  -  maybe its my company  -  but he is on the contrary, alert and mentally astute.


My friend is actually a respected businessman with years of experience of the Middle East.  With present events there so much in the news, he provided me with some insight into what is happening in Egypt at  the moment. Interestingly, he told me that the popular revolt in Egypt meant not only the end of the regime there, it was also the beginning of the end for Israel.  Although, he did say that this would be a slow process of demise  -  a death watch possibly over many decades, but with the same inevitable outcome.  He said this without any malice towards Israel or the Israeli people, but simply as a matter of analysis.  I was fascinated by his views, but didn't feel equal to contradicting him with my poor experience of foreign affairs .... and really what he was saying made good sense to me.  A case of one more hound soon to be back on track with the rest of the pack, in pursuit of the weakening hare.

That is one extra ingredient in a good meal ....  good conversation.  They say it helps the digestion, and I believe that's true. And on this occasion, here in the good company of my friend, I was delighted we had got the nice quiet table I was hoping for earlier in the evening.  Maybe it's just me, but it makes for natural conversation that is not in anyway self-conscious.

The reason I say that is because I recall one blighted evening out in a Soho restaurant with my darling wife.  It was her birthday. I had intended it to be romantic and had chosen the occasion to talk to her about something special  -  a surprise which I hoped would delight her. We ended up seated in a quiet alcove which had just about enough decent room for the two tables that had been pressed into the space.  As it was, quiet didn't matter as the place was virtually empty on what was a rather inclement night.

But it was to this vacant table next to us, out of all the tables in this near deserted establishment, that the waiter decided to direct a single diner to sit.  Lovely.  Now there were three of us cocooned in a space the size of a lift looking out over a vista of empty tables  -  the two of us and the stranger.

As the night went on, I found myself developing an irrational irritation with our near neighbour.  Every move, sound or look was a small source of annoyance.  Every minute sign of his existence bore in on me.  After a time, I realised I was slowly coming to dislike this complete stranger  -  and for no good reason. After all, this poor individual had done nothing wrong, only to sit where he had been put by the unthinking waiter.  If I was going to strangle anyone at the end of the night, it should be the waiter, not this unknowing innocent who had been unwittingly intruded upon us.

But  seriously, what really had me riled was that my plan to surprise my wife with my special news would now not happen. I decided just to forget about it for the moment. I'd tell her later, and concentrate on the food for now.  So for the rest of the meal both of us ate, and talked, and enjoyed ourselves.  But even though I had decided to forget about our dinner guest, I had for the duration this nagging sense in the back of my head that, on a reverse take of the one-man-show, we were performing to a one-man-audience.

In truth, it is just me I suppose.  I'm over sensitive and it was a public space.  He probably didn't listen to a word we said.  Probably ....  But, there again ?  No.  Never mind.  It's just me.

Anyhow, there were no such problems here in Knightsbridge, and after finishing what was a lovely meal I walked a little with my friend towards The Capital Hotel where he was staying during his few days in London. During our short walk I observed people leaving some of the other notable restaurants in the vicinity, and I hoped that they had as enjoyable a time as I had that evening.

A good restaurant isn't hard to find in Knightsbridge.  There are quite a few.  But instead of going through a list, you might like to look at Squaremeal which is a website with comprehensive advice and information on restaurants and pubs in London.

For those who might worry about what I mentioned at the start, that the wife was left at home. Don't worry.  It was not a sign of neglect.  I wouldn't be let away with it.  It was purely her choice.  And if there's a choice to be made between me and her favourite TV programme, then there is no choice.

Nearby -
A nice pub: Paxtons Head, 153 Knightsbridge,  SW1X 7PA
A good restaurant: Montpeliano, Montpelier Street, SW7 1HQ
A quality hotel: Egerton House Hotel, 17-19 Egerton Terrace, SW3 2BX
Underground: Knightsbridge