I was asked by The Evening Standard to comment on the recent Zagat finding that London is the most expensive city in the world to dine out in.
The letter was published in this evening's paper (!)
Here is the transcript:
London is the most expensive city in the world for eating out? Nonsense. Restaurant prices in the capital have gone up over the years but not significantly so. If you are lucky enough to get a table at The Ivy for example, you'll find plenty of dishes priced under £15. And Chez Bruce, recently voted number one restaurant in Zagat, offers a three course lunch menu for well under £30. That is not expensive for Michelin dining. In many US restaurants, by the time you have added the 20%-25% service charge, the bill is often more than an equivalent restaurant in London. The poor exchange rate means our American visitors will moan about the price of everything, not just eating out.
Take the 'Trophy Restaurants' off your list and use the restaurant review websites to help you find somewhere to eat in London that is not only a great dining experience, but is also great value too. Trust me, they are out there. Value for money is just one of ten different attributes that we and our website visitors rate when judging a restaurant (well, loo cleanliness is important too)! Don’t be put off visiting London because of Zagat. There are hundreds of great value restaurants in our wonderful City – just do your own homework!
Piers Heaton-Armstrong, Owner
The London Restaurant Review
www.thelondonrestaurantreview.co.uk
