Getting festive. St. John, Spitalfields, Dec. 2010.
Today I Googled "date night restaurants in London" and read through various and sundry lists of places to have a romantic or quiet dinner with decent food. On the lists are places that I have dined and had a great time. For the most part they were great places to eat, but definitely not places for date night. Date night to me means that you can actually hear and interact with your object of affection.
Having to scream or lip read because the restaurant is so loud does not for a great date make.
Perhaps the issue is that we really only go to London during the festive period - the first weekend to the third weekend of December. This is the time when colleagues celebrate their good fortunes at work by booking lovely long luxurious dinners and lunches at places sought out by foodies and have a jolly time. Unfortunately, it is usually at the expense of anyone else who has had the misfortune of booking at the same time. I'm talking about being seated next to 18 tops at St. John and six tops at Nopi. We've seen it all at both dinner and lunch - no time is immune from festive bookings these days.
I have two dinners next month free in London. I'm hoping I don't hit the party circuit and get to actually enjoy the company of my date and friends without a megaphone.
