Let's do lunch

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Posted at 2:08PM, 10 March 2009 by Emily Boyce - Sub-editor, bbcgoodfood.com

Going out for dinner may not be such a frequent occurrence these days, so I'm replacing it with a far more sensible activity in these uncertain times... going out for lunch.

And I'm not just going to any old caff for a sandwich - I'm going to posher places than I would ever normally go for dinner. Last Sunday I ate at one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants, The Boxwood Cafe in the Berkeley Hotel. After a pre-starter of cauliflower soup with frosted walnuts came a plate of salty-sweet prosciutto and confit duck, sea bream with crushed potatoes, an old-fashioned treacle pudding and a couple of glasses of lovely crisp white wine. The damage? £70 for two of us.

This way you're certain of a good standard of cooking and a setting that feels special

It's not exactly cheap, I know, but to my mind the £25 three-course lunch menu is pretty amazing value for top-notch cooking. And the buzzing dining room suggested we weren't the only ones to think so.

Further perusal of the Time Out Eating & drinking guide has thrown up lots more places offering reasonably priced lunches, from trendy Arbutus in Soho - 3 courses for £15.50 - to Scandinavian-influenced Texture. Over the border in Wales, the set lunch at the acclaimed Walnut Tree Inn near Abergavenny provided two of the most beautiful plates of food I've had, for £15.

Toptable has regularly updated offers on restaurants UK-wide and next week sees Restaurant Week take place in London, Birmingham and Manchester - Atul Kocchar's Benares and Richard Corrigan's Bentley's and Lindsay House are among the restaurants in the capital offering 2-course lunches for £15. Not bad for a meal in a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Of course, you're not going to get your plate piled with caviar for that price, and you do have to watch your wine intake and extras like coffees which bump up the bill. But to me the set lunch seems a good way of making sure the money you spend on eating out is worth it - you could very easily spend the same amount on a mediocre evening meal, whereas this way you're certain of a good standard of cooking and a setting that feels special.

Have you found any good lunch deals, or any other tips on getting value for money when eating out?

Comments

Mrs H

10 March 2009, 3:23PM
Mrs H

http://www.vouchercodes.co.uk/ has vouchers for lots of the high st food chains - Strada, La Tasca etc. Not quite the same league as a Ramsay restaurant though!

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christine

10 March 2009, 5:50PM
christine

Ooh, we love a bargain at olive magazine and two of our recently featured favourites are www.giacondadining.com and www.foxandanchor.com - both places you can get a decent meal for under Â£50 for two (or even less if you hold back on wine). If you fancy staying the night, this month's olive has sourced special offers from restaurants with rooms around the UK. Take a peek for brilliant deals at the lovely Terravina (www.hotelterravina.co.uk) and five other top places.

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sioden

11 March 2009, 10:48AM
sioden

I agree with Mrs H. Vouchercodes is brilliant 2 4 1 or 50% off etc. They might not be Gordon Ramsey but I do love the food in Strada. If I go out for lunch (at least once a week) I never go anywhere that I can't use a ovucher therr, or that doens't offer a lunchtime deal. Strada for one do a lunchtime menu where you can choose from a limited menu and a glass of wine, bottle of beer or soft drink for around Â£8. Cafe Rouge do a similar deal, as do many chains. I think its lovely to be able to enjoy food and be able to go for a walk after, instead of lying in bed regretting eating all three courses!!!!

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Aedara

11 March 2009, 1:56PM
Aedara

Being a student I barely ever have to pay full price for meals out because there are just so many vouchers but I defenitly agree that lunch is the best time to go to get deals even when you don't have vouchers because the difference between lunch and dinner time prices can be insane. Lunch is also good because you feel you can go for something light since its only lunchtime (you probably wouldn't have a panini at dinnertime would you?) and once again it probably makes it cheaper. You also have time to digest a big meal if you decide to have three courses and thats always a benefit for sleeping later. Trouble is of course not everyone has time to go out at lunchtime which is exactly why the deals are there, if everyone could go they wouldn't bother putting on offers.

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Emily

12 March 2009, 10:24AM
Emily

Yes I agree Vouchercodes.co.uk is great for going out for a meal with a big group of friends or workmates. Been meaning to try out Giaconda for ages, have read so many glowing reviews. Definitely agree it's lovely to be able to go for a walk after lunch and not go to bed feeling all bloated! Also it makes the meal the focal point for the day. Aedara, I've found that surprisingly most of the set lunch deals are also valid on the weekend, which makes it easier for working people to take advantage of them.

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Vegetarian Recipe Spot

12 March 2009, 3:39PM
Vegetarian Recipe Spot

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Mrs Chutney

12 March 2009, 8:59PM
Mrs Chutney

A good tip is to look out for restaurants which serve the dinner menu cheaper if eaten early. There is one in Emsworth (nr Chichester) which does (Spencers) which is ideal as you can then stroll along the quay afterwards. The food is excellent, fresh & varied

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Nicola

13 March 2009, 8:04AM
Nicola

Mmm, I went to Spencers recently and the food was delish! Didn't know about the early evening menu though - next time I'll try it!

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Juniper

29 March 2009, 12:07PM
Juniper

Our little girl is 4 months old and we've had to adjust our thinking to meals out - lunch out is definately more appropriate for us right now unless we want the hassle of arranging a babysitter. And we've found that we can eat well at a reduced price too. Everyone's a winner. All we need now are more restaurants that are family friendly without being the usual chain-style affair.

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lili

31 October 2009, 6:39AM
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