England: London: Where to Eat: Overview

The major trend that continues to captivate London’s restaurateurs is a return to British traditions. Gordon Ramsay’s York & Albany in Camden feels like the bustling dining room of a country inn (it is also his first hotel undertaking), only the bucolic view is of Regent’s Park not the Cotswolds. J. Sheekey’s new oyster bar promises to deliver an old English fish experience so authentic that you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into London circa 1910, and despite the economic turmoil, exclusive private member clubs continue to open in fantasy venues, from a former residence of the Duke of Westminster to one with 360-degree city views.

NEIGHBORHOOD PLACES: The Albemarle, Great Queen Street, York & Albany

QUICK BREAK: Jak’s Bistro on Walton Street.

GLOBAL CUISINE: The places that seem to be giving Amaya competition as the favorite place for Indian food are Benares and Trishna.

HOT SPOTS: The newest member’s only clubs to get invited to: Alfred’s, the Club at the Ivy and the Paramount. Indagare Tip: Members are invited to Home House, the venerable members-only club that opened in 1998 and that recently opened an exciting addition, in part designed by Zaha Hadid.

BIG NIGHT OUT: For pulling-out-all-the-stops glamorous dining head to the city’s top hotels to be wowed. Gordon Ramsay started the phenomenon when he opened at Claridge’s, but lots of grand addresses have followed. Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley is the latest in the crowd that includes Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester, Hélène Darroze at the Connaught, Apsleys at the Lanesborough, and the Landau at the Langham.