Top 10 client entertaining spots

As a PA you may have to book restaurants on behalf of your boss for client lunches, drinks or breakfast meetings. Whether this be five times a week or twice a month, it’s always good to have a selection of places to suggest. We’ve compiled a list of our favourite restaurants in and around Mayfair that we hope will give you some inspiration. We’ve chosen five formal places to really impress top clients, and five that are a little more casual.

Formal Affairs

Cecconi’s – Burlington Gardens

Part of the Soho House group, this stylish Italian restaurant and bar has a buzzing atmosphere and modern, chic décor that makes it the perfect spot for a relaxed but impressive lunch. In the summer try and secure a table outside where your boss and his client can enjoy their meal in the sunshine whilst admiring the Ferraris and fashionistas.

The Wolseley – Piccadilly

Situated next to The Ritz, this is one of London’s trendiest restaurants. Having closed down for a major revamp for its tenth anniversary, the big black doors reopened in 2014 and invited us back in to the grand dining room, which remains as fashionable and popular as ever. This is an all-round great restaurant with something to suit all tastes. They also do a delicious breakfast and a quintessentially British afternoon tea.

Nobu – Berkeley Street

If your boss really wants to impress, book them a table at Nobu. Here, they’ll be able to enjoy Japanese-Peruvian creations such as the signature black cod and mouthwatering Wagyu beef. Dining here is a very exciting and indulgent experience, enjoyed by businessman and celebrities alike. There’s a very cool bar downstairs where they can move to after lunch if they don’t feel like heading straight back to the office.

Boulestin – St James’s

The original Boulestin was one of the most expensive restaurants in London when it opened, but this isn’t what the luxury French bistro wanted to recreate. With its high ceilings, crisp white tablecloths and rich French food, it’s ideal for business lunches and client entertaining. There’s a private dining room which can cater for networking events, corporate lunches and working breakfasts, and Café Marcel, a smaller brasserie which offers lighter dishes and a more informal atmosphere.

Pollen Street Social – Pollen Street

Self-described as a place to ‘eat, drink and socialize, both for special occasions and informal everyday affairs’, Pollen Street Social offers an intriguing menu full of inventive combinations, inspired by chef Jason Atherton’s travels. As well as the smart dining room, there’s also a tapas bar and a dessert counter. They offer a great value set lunch menu as well, perfect for when your boss is short on time.

Casual Dining

Aubaine – Heddon Street

Perfectly positioned away from the hustle and bustle of Regent Street and with its cosy atmosphere and friendly staff, this is a great location for a morning coffee or more casual lunch. It’s especially gorgeous in the summer, when you can soak up the rays sitting in the square outside.

Bentley’s Oyster Bar – Swallow Street

Having satisfied the seafood cravings of Londoners for over a century, there’s no doubting Bentley’s is a mecca for all things crustacean. With Richard Corrigan acting as the chef patron, the current team place providence front of mind, creating a haven for fresh oysters, grilled fish and steaks, all sourced from around the British and Irish isles. Book a table for your boss upstairs in the Grill, or leave them to indulge in copious oysters at the bar.

Goodmans – Maddox Street

This New York inspired steakhouse is a step up from Gaucho and a real men’s lunch place. The staff are welcoming and friendly which together with the comfortable leather booths and dark interior make it a very inviting and satisfying place to enjoy a long lunch, not forgetting the perfectly cooked steaks and a top dessert menu. It’s a great place for dinner too with a good wine list.

Franco’s – Jermyn Street

This is a favourite with the locals around St James’s, you’ll see the regulars sitting outside religiously for their morning coffee or post-lunch drink and cigar with various clients and contemporaries. The staff are very friendly and always know who you are if you go frequently so make sure you mention your boss’s name when reserving a table as they’ll often keep some aside. It’s in a great location as well (right next to the Tiger offices!) making it a convenient stop off on the way to or way home from work and meeting point for an easy, friendly lunch.

Gaucho’s – Swallow Street

Sleek and sophisticated, with a stunning steak menu, Gaucho’s is a surefire winner for business lunches. Beef is the star of the show here, with waiters taking the time to showcase the five main cuts and explain how they are served and accompanied. Locally sourced and cooked to perfection, each ingredient is considered and curated, ensuring an outstanding dining experience. With an expansive wine menu, private dining room and even a PA reward scheme, it has everything your boss could want.

Author Tiger Contributor Tiger Recruitment Team