London Mayfair area suggestions

We will be staying post-cruise at the Grosvenor House for one night and would like suggestions on where to eat lunch and dinner that we could walk to that isn't extremely expensive. We've been to London once before and did the Big Bus tour so this time we were planning on walking around Hyde Park in the afternoon since it is close to the hotel. Thank you for any ideas on what to see and do there as well.

Grosvenor house or Grosvenor house hotel? There are 2. Is it the one that is a guoman hotel? If it is you are right next to Victoria station and the buses are so easy to use from there too. The bus takes you upto Hyde park also. Some lovely little pubs near Hyde park with great beer near the park plaza.

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As the OP mentioned Mayfair, I assume they mean the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel (on Park Lane), as opposed to the Grosvenor Hotel which is adjacent Victoria station (and just to add to the confusion, there's also a London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square...!)

In terms of nearby restaurants, it's an easy walk up to Oxford St., with its various offerings. We personally had a rather nice lunch at Roti Chai, an indian restaurant on Portland Mews (behind the big Marks & Spencer store). Of course, another quite good lunch option is to pick up some sandwiches at Marks & Spencer and have yourself a picnic in Hyde Park.

It depends what you mean by 'expensive'. If you want simple wholesome food you can't beat a good pub lunch.

If you want something better there are plenty of excellent restaurants, many Michelin star, in the area and at lunchtime they can offer good value compared to evening prices.

Several nice places in Shepherd's Market, a short walk. I also enjoy The Last Running Footman Pub near there.

Cheers

Thank you for your advice. I had to check but we are staying at the Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott, on Park Lane.

Elaine

The proliferation of buildings and streets called Grosvenor something is one of the examples we always use to encourage our North American visitors to use the whole address, rather than the habit of shortening, e.g. "It's on Grosvenor". Clearly you are on top of this!

The underlying reason is that Grosvenor is the family name of the Dukes of Westminster, whose estates include huge swathes of west London, such as Mayfair and Belgravia.

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The story of the American Embassy in London is interesting:

The Americans have embassies all around the world. In every case they buy the land first and then build their embassy. The Americans assumed that this would be possible in England; hence they asked the Duke of Westminster, who owned Grosvenor Square, how much they would have to pay to buy the freehold of the land. However, what they did not know is that the Grosvenor family never sell. Their vast wealth is based precisely on this simple fact; they own their 300 acres of central London including most of Belgravia and Mayfair, not to mention land holdings all over the world. All the houses and offices on this land are leased; their freeholds are never sold.

When the Americans were told the news, they insisted that that was unacceptable, therefore petitioning to Parliament in order to force the Duke to sell. Nevertheless the Grosvenor family did not comply with any pressure.

The Duke then thought of a new compromise. He told the furious Americans whether they were prepared to return to the Grosvenor family all those lands in the USA that were stolen after the American War of Independence, then he would allow the Americans to buy their site on the west side of Grosvenor Square. However, the Americans knew that they were beaten, because the Grosvenor family was basically asking for most of Maine and New York, owned once by the family. They also were not prepared to merely hand over land that they had stolen from the Indians. Therefore, they backed down and the Duke of Westminster allowed them a 999 year lease.

That is why the American Embassy is considered one of the most bizarre and protracted processes of negotiation ever seen in London. It is the only American Embassy in the world which is not owned by the United States of America.

That is interesting. Thanks for sharing it.

The story of the American Embassy in London is interesting:

Yes, but I guess they have won in the end by buying a site and moving to Battersea.:rolleyes:

https://uk.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/new-embassy/

Interesting, but a little off the topic. How about Mayfair area suggestions?

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We can recommend 2 restaurants nearby - Locanda Locatelli in Seymour Street (behind Selfridges) - a bit pricey but not too bad regarding cost. Excellent Italian food and worth it for a treat. OR - Corrigans Mayfair in Upper Grovesnor Street - the best lobster bisque ever!! A little pricey but if you're sensible, the bill isn't too eye watering. Both chefs ( Giorgio Locatelli and Richard Corrigan) are highly regarded here.

There is also Le Gavroche nearby which is superb but very, very expensive. Worth it for a really special occasion.

Thank you. We will definitely consider the suggestions!

Some of my favorites in the area are The Windmill Mayfair for meat pies and traditional pub atmosphere, and the Mews of Mayfair for its bar menu and farm to table brasserie menu featuring food sourced across England.

http://www.mewsofmayfair.com/site/eat.asp

http://www.windmillmayfair.co.uk/

I've eaten at both in June-July and can't wait to go back in August.

Sounds like some good options. I'd like to try the meat pies but don't think I can go for kidney...