Piccadilly eats

I've never been in, but I'd say Zedel is worth a visit. Lots of people rave about it. The interiors alone are probably worth the cost of a lunch to see.

I know you are a big fan of Hannah Ricketts, but I'm not always that taken by her videos that I've watched. I didn't watch all of the video admittedly.

Zedel may no longer be quite the fashionable place as when it opened 12 years ago and the prices have moved significantly upwards, although the food is much the same, being brasserie classics by and large.

The decor though is an amazing survivor, existing only because instead of being ripped out in the 1960s it was boarded over in the era of it being a disco. Don't miss the Regent Palace hotel above being gone though, it was really seedy.

I love Hannah Ricketts! Saw that vlog and was very motivated to try Zedel. It looked like something out of a bygone era. :-)

In one of the first shots you can see behind her a VERY green storefront, just across the street. That’s The Devonshire - a new Irish pub that has what is likely the best (freshest/creamiest) Guinness in London. For those who imbibe, it’s a great place for a pint. Can be busy, but the Guinness is primo (a rarity in London).

I think Hannah must be the only one who thinks this place is a secret. It seemed to me that everyone in London knew about it. I saw it recommended on this board many times pre-pandemic as well as other websites. It got a ton of hype when it first opened as a cheaper alternative to The Wolesley (it is owned by the same group).

That being said, I went there for the first time in Fall 2022. I was underwhelmed. The food was ok, but the service was terrible (exceptionally slow and orders were wrong). The table next to me also had multiple issues. Maybe they were having staffing issues so soon after the pandemic or maybe I just had a server who was in training. Timeout gave it a recent good review, so maybe they have fixed those issues.
https://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/brasserie-zedel

I was rather taken aback by the level of clickbait in that title too. Disappointing if that's what a creator is doing for views, when it's absolutely no secret at all.

I can think of a few things I could say about Hannah Ricketts videos that would be far too scathing for here. It might be fine to say over a pint, having a giggle about someone's content you don't really gel with, but if I wrote it down here I would sound like a terrible old misanthrope, even with smileys. She's probably a dead nice lass in real life.

The Devonshire at Piccadilly is the biggest opening of the year in London. It’s been hyped and 5 star reviewed everywhere. It’s a pub downstairs and restaurant upstairs. Bookings for the restaurant open 2 weeks in advance on a Thursday and it is always full. I want to go!

I think Hannah must be the only one who thinks this place is a secret. It seemed to me that everyone in London knew about it. I saw it recommended on this board many times pre-pandemic ...

It was one of Emma's regular recommendations as I recall.

The Corbin & King restaurant group fell into administration (British sort of equivalent of Chapter 11) in early 2022 amid an acrimonious dispute between the management and major shareholder. In the end the latter won out buying the group from the administrator, now being called Wolseley Hospitality Group. Not surprisingly the restaurants themselves suffered during that period of uncertainty and took time to recover.

The Corbin & King restaurant group fell into administration (British sort of equivalent of Chapter 11) in early 2022 amid an acrimonious dispute between the management and major shareholder.

Good to know that my negative experience might have been a temporary thing. Maybe I will give it a try again in the future. I like to dine post-theatre and since the pandemic there are even fewer places that offer late-night dining.

I have only been there once in the last year or so. No issues for me but it was lunchtime in the winter and not at busy. The price rises happened with the new ownership structure but if it was broke before I suppose the reason might be there.