Anniversary bar/ restaurant ??

[bm_999]

Hey all, trying to figure out ‘best place’ to book for our anniversary

Have narrowed down to following places potentially:

Sexy fish

Park chinois

Amazonico

Aqua kyoto

The blacklock

I know some of them might not have the best food and might be more drink related but just want to tick 1 of them off the list

Also might go 1 of them for drink only then somewhere more foodie for dinner or vice versa

Any other reccomendations would be great, steak places mainly

Thanks

[redlilly]

Of the list, I have eaten at Amazonico and Blacklock and had drinks at Aqua Kyoto.

For Amazonico, it was quite soon after it opened, so not sure how much it has changed – if at all. I enjoyed the food, but it was incredibly expensive for what it was. I feel you can get better experiences from other restaurants in London, particularly local ones. However, that is the plus of living in London e.g. we are lucky to have some really decent South American options (including Ecuadorian and Peruvian) quite local to where we live in NE London. However, if you’re in the Mayfair area, I would recommend going for a drink at Amazonico – as the decor is quite cool and drinks were nice.

For Blacklock, I haven’t been in about a year or so, but I like it and it is a decent place to get a good steak and sides. Not sure how fancy you want to go for your anniversary, if that’s what you’re targeting, but it’s probably the least fancy on your list. I wouldn’t go to Blacklock just for a drink alone.

Aqua Kyoto is purely a place to go for a drink. I am not the biggest fan of the venue, as feel there are much better rooftop or non rooftop bars in London. It also gets very crowded.

Someone posted a question about steaks in London previously, and the thread has been going a few years. See link:

https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/your-hot-tips-for-the-best-steak-in-london/

[Michael C]

Totally agree about the drink in Amazonico (the food is far better and far cheaper in the original Madrid branch).

Blacklock great for what it is: it’ll be buzzy and loud!

Would love to hear about favourite (open-air) rooftop bars: I’ve only
really tried the one at the Hilton Trafalgar (where they wouldn’t reserve
a specific table for guests, and the service was terrible, but vibe and views great).

[redlilly]

Open Air Rooftops, in Central, I like:

The Standard – specifically during the day.

National Theatre – bar on top floor (either 4th or 5th). Though, I think this might be a private event space – as whilst I have been, I can’t find any reference to it online. Otherwise, there is a wine bar on a lower floor that has recently opened (named Forza). I can’t advocate for it, as I haven’t been.

Oxo – Really am a sucker for this one. Purely for the views/aspects up and down the river.

The Boundary – been a few years, but I am a sucker for gritty London views. Though Shoreditch has certainly got more glitzy in years subsequent to it opening.

I do like the Trafalger rooftop – views are fantastic and its comfortable with a few decent drinks. Though note there is some personal bias in this statement, as I haven’t experienced it as a member of Joe public so to speak. This was also about 3 years ago.

Kioku at OWO – went in Dec-24, but caveat didn’t sit outside. Food sublime (but expensive) up there. Drinks and service equally great. I bet the open air bit of the rooftop is fantastic in the summer.

Selfridges and John Lewis – the rooftop pop ups in the summer months. During the day in the week is best.

There are a few others in East and North London, which I like, but the views there are a bit more “local” e.g. along Regents Canal.

[jj]

Found myself unplanned in Sexy Fish for a late last-minute Sunday lunch last year. Great fit-out but the food was very mediocre; I suspect it mostly came from the freezer. At least 80% female clientele if it matters, mostly taking selfies on repeat. One took multiple pics of the sideboobs falling out of her dress…you get the vibe. I don’t plan to return.

For a rooftop bar, maybe the Abar in top of the Mandarin just off Regent Street? Cool, classy, sophisticated. For a super-romantic restaurant with a classy atmosphere, a cool bar and great food, maybe the Dover – but you need to book at 8am precisely three weeks before your planned visit as tables fill up in a few hours. I had a great ribeye there last time I visited although it’s not a specialist steakhouse.

One other thought for a special night out: it’s super-kitsch, but the bar in Bacchanalia is incredible after dinner. It’s impossible to be overdressed, so great for an anniversary.