My Secret To Finding The Perfect Venue for Private Dining.

I had planned to share this in early February, designed to be a guide for booking your Valentine day dinner but as it often does, events overtook me. 

​A secret is no longer  one when it’s openly shared online.  I do ask for recommendations on places to dine but when that fails, I turn to my D & D list!

Read on till you find that link that will save you time in future searches for that perfect restaurant!

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ME Day & I  

I do dine out a fair bit and when it comes to my ME day I alternate between Central London, West, North and North West London, between fine dining, fast food and in between these.

At a point I was ticking a list of all the restaurants I had dined in along The Food Highway as I call it and that is in Enfield, North London.

Past the Mansions and home of the wealthy is a long row of restaurants representing cuisines from all over the world.  I have stretched to El Vaquero in Mill Hill to sample the Brazilian Restaurant that is similar to Rodizio Rico at 02 albeit on a lower star rating.  When you're presented with an all you can eat fare and you are a meat lover, you will find a place to test your capacity for a variety of meat, cured, smoked and grilled in these  two.

I have used my ME day which is basically a day in a week where I treat ME to a meal or a spa treatment.  I am an online shopper and have no interest in spending any of this time, I've carved out cooped up in a store buying items I may never wear.  Two weeks ago I dropped into Novo  in west London.  One of London's newest restaurant with a vibrant night life tucked away in a shopping precinct in West London.  The food was fantastic and costs from as little as £6 for an Edamame starter to £350 for an edible 24 Carat  Gold 'Plated' T -Bone grilled to perfection.

Weeks before this, following a dental appointment at Guy's hospital, I walked out to a dark evening and right in front of me was the Luxury Hotel Shangri La!  Ground floor of one of London's iconic landmark, The Shard.  I had been to a couple of the restaurants in the Shard and the viewing platform but I had never tried GŎNG.  Located on the 52nd floor, I was lucky to get a booking within the hour.  I called in as I walked down and had literally paid a deposit over the phone as I walked into the Foyer. I had my dinner which in reality was a mixed of small plates. Delicious and filling.  I made a new friend from NYC, Francesca and a young couple newly arrived in the UK.

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German Gymnasium

I tried the German Gymnasium because I received an offer and a thank you from a group called D and D in 2019 and went with a lifetime buddy as her birthday was round the corner and it was an opportunity to celebrate one who has been such a huge part of our growth.  

With two floors and outside seating, the old Gym is vast, we sat upstairs which is more formal and used for private dining with a speciality bar that served lovely cocktails.  The whole venue can be hired privately for an event and can accommodate up to 250 people sitting.

On the day we visited, I was introduced to the Coco Champagne!  I went back 4 more times and I still don't remember the food, how it tasted or what I had.   I however have not forgotten the taste of the Coco Champagne and till date never had one to beat it.  The images were not meant for a blog but I will share it all the same unedited, not included is one where I literally licked the sticker!

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Quaglino's

This remains one of my favourite venues alongside 100 Wardour because of the food but mainly because of the live entertainment!

I planned a group event for 10 guests for an old school reunion, The service was amazing.  We chose to dine in the main dinning area with proximity to the band and after dinner were giving a private sitting area upstairs from were we could see the band performing and have cocktails as well.

I found out they were part of a group called D & D as is German Gymnasium and today they have over 45 Restaurants dotted across Major cities; London, New York and Paris.  Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham are also home to some of their restaurants.

The secret to finding the perfect venue for private dining is D & D! They have shared a list of their venues some of which rank as the most sought out venues for Social Media influencers.  This is due to a number of factors not limited to the décor, ambience, food and service which are all excellent!

The décor tends to make the perfect backdrop for amazing images and these restaurants understand the business of social media so  asking a staff to take an image or some of you is welcomed.  They get free advert now don't they?

For the love of those who celebrate Valentine, who ask me where I think they should book. I am sharing this link.  It is suitable for solo, duo or group dining.  Some are quite pricey but as you noticed I have not touched on the prices for the food or drinks as you are certain to find one that ticks all your boxes.

I have plans to tick as many of these off my list as I dine in them over the next few months.  

Click on the greeting below to view the  D & D Restaurant Collection!

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Happy Valentines Day!❤️💕❤️