(1 Lombard Street, Bank in London, United Kingdom)

If you’ve got a client to impress or a hot date, this is the place to whisk them. 1 Lombard Street B...rasserie, in the City, is housed in a former banqueting hall, with a Grade II listed neo classical interior and domed skylights by Pietro Agostini. Although ultra-spacious in feel – with a 20ft-high ceiling, and ample space between tables – the restaurant is welcoming. Mouthwatering modern and classic European cuisine are on offer, alongside seasonal specialities and an extensive wine list. Please note - this restaurant does not accept bookings at lunchtime. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 7.30am - 11pm Live jazz piano every Friday night. [moreless]

(1 Lombard Street, Bank in London, United Kingdom)

The grade II listed 1 Lombard Street is a stunning setting in the heart of the City featuring modern... European food. A neo-classical interior of domed skylights by Pietro Agostini and plush curving banquettes. The (mainly) corporate clientele appreciate the refined, animated atmosphere. Feeling a little fatigued in the morning? Treat yourself to a big breakfast basking under the natural light of the dome. A full a la carte menu and seasonal specialities are available for lunch and dinner. Otherwise, there's a tapas and bar snack menu to choose from. Great cocktails, fine wines and superb service to boot. Please note - in the evenings the largest table size is 6 diners. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 12pm - 3pm & 6pm - 10pmClosed Sat and Sun Friday evening live jazz pianist. [moreless]

(20 Aldermanbury in London, United Kingdom)

Exclusive parties are available at this venue.Overlooking Aldermanbury Square, Insurance Hall comman...ds a prime location within the City; within a short distance of several major transport links.The Great Hall provides a perfect setting for fine festive dining and all the best elements of a traditional Christmas dinner.In addition to the traditional festive package additional theming and entertainment can be added to enhance your event. Packages include the exclusive use of Insurance hall and on arrival guests will be offered a glass on bubbly and invited to enjoy the evening. The Ostler Suite can be transformed into an intimate casino where a variety of gaming tables can be accommodated and if your guests prefer an evening of lively dancing then we can provide all of this and more at the Insurance Hall. The Great Hall is spacious and boasts superb interior design with oak panelling and stained glass running throughout the Hall. This beautiful room can is available for exclusive parties of between 75 and 150 guests. Payments to be made in advance Opening hours: For Hire / Various [moreless]

(24 Cornhill in London, United Kingdom)

Abacus is so smart and cool and welcoming and relaxed you'll wonder what you ever did before you dis...covered it. The ambience is smart casual and, with three bars and a club over three floors, there's lots of room for either calm dining or wild nights. Think mood-enhancing lighting, leather cubes and seating, chic mirrors and sleek stylishness, a perfect backdrop for you and your date or friends to spend a great evening. The menu features both nibbly bits, which perfectly complement the enormous drinks list, and proper international dishes for sit-down meals. Try the fish finger sandwich with chunky chips, or do the three-course thing: small plate of seared beef skewers with toasted sesame seeds and oyster sauce, big plate of char-grilled swordfish with rocket salad, and pud of classic lemon tart. Lunch time diners are asked to vacate the restaurant by 4:30pm promptly. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 12pm - 9pm [moreless]

(Gibson Hall, 13 Bishopsgate in London, United Kingdom)

Sharer parties and exclusive parties are available at this venue.A Shared Party is available on 11th... December, £99.50 per personThe exclusive surroundings of Gibson Hall in the heart of the City, provide one of London’s most magnificent party venues. The emphasis for 2007 will be a gastronomic one, a Bacchanalian Feast where great food and delicious wine combined with a theme that reflects the mythological magic of classical times.Guests will enter through the private gates into a stunning reception where they will be greeted by Bacchus and welcomed by a sparkling wine reception. The room will be dramatically dressed with large classical statues and urns cascading with ivy, red draping and classical furniture to set the scene for the magical evening.At 7.30pm guests will be invited into the luxurious surroundings of the magnificent hall, beautifully lit with a central stage and dance floor where the house band will perform.After indulging in a fabulous Roman style feast our wonderful band will entice people on the dance floor, followed by the DJ who will finish this Roman party experience. Opening hours: Various for Hire [moreless]

(52 Lime Street in London, United Kingdom)

Balls Brothers Lime Street in London’s Square Mile is British to its fingertips. The famous vintner...s’ restaurants are popular haunts throughout the City – this one is practically the staff canteen for the Lloyds folk across the street. The trad moss-green dining room with its starchy linens, leather upholstered chairs, antique bookcases, framed prints and sconces is very like a gentlemen’s club. And the Balls Brothers menu offers the best of Blighty’s cooking: pan-fried calves’ liver with crispy bacon and bubble and squeak, and steak and kidney pudding with wild watercress mash are signatures. Richard Balls’ wine list ranges from skint to bonus and everything’s good. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 8am - 11pm [moreless]

(30 Throgmorton St in London, United Kingdom)

Please note, this restaurant is currently undergoing refurbishment and will open later in 2008.In th...e midst of London’s buzzing financial district, Bankside EC2 is a welcome relief from office life. Casual and laid back, this is a larger version of the hugely successful South Bank venture. With the same formula of relaxed atmosphere and hearty British food, Bankside EC2 boasts a lively atmosphere as well suited to a business lunch as post work dinner and drinks. The stylish marble topped bar is the place to grab a cocktail then it’s on to the sleek and comfortable dining room to enjoy affordable British food at its very best – think Shepherd’s Pie or Fish and Chips with good ol’ mushy peas. Please be aware that breakfast bookings are only for parties of 10 or more.Also, on Thursday and Friday evenings the last available booking time is 7:30pm A credit card is required to secure a reservation for groups of 6 persons or more, if there is availability - this is simply to secure your booking, absolutely no money will be charged to the card except in the case of late cancellations. Late cancellations (within 24 hours of the reservation) and no-shows will incur a charge of £10 per person. Please note bookings for breakfast are only for bookings of 10 or more. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 12pm - 3pm & 6pm - 10pm At Bankside there are buttons on the table to summon your server [moreless]

(67 Queen Street, Mansion House in London, United Kingdom)

East Central’s Bar Bourse is anything but a typical City bar. No, this is a place which boasts char...acter and charm rather than the usual faceless gathering place. Set in a charming imposing building on Queen Street, Bourse boasts an unusual and attractive Byzantine themed interior which has earned it a reputation as the Rolls Royce of City bars. The comfortable boldly striped banquettes coupled with a well stocked bar, buzzing atmosphere and professional staff make Bar Bourse not only a great drinking space but the perfect place to dine as well – modern European cuisine is simple but delicious. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 11:30am - 3pm for lunch.Open until 11pm for drinks and bar snacks onlyClosed weekends and all Bank Holidays Bar Bourse is situated just off Cannon Street, the site of the London Stone. [moreless]

(5 Threadneedle Street in London, United Kingdom)

Just a few hundreds yards from the Bank of England, Bonds provides a relaxed but sophisticated escap...e for City types looking for a cocktail and some high quality French cuisine. Whether you’ve made or lost a million today, the bar at this City bar and restaurant with its interior featuring subtle lighting and rich colours is the prefect place to unwind over cocktails. Drinks range from old favourites to more unusual concoctions such as the Chocolate and Pear Mojito with mint leaves, fresh pear, chocolate liqueur and Havana Especial five year aged rum. A credit card is required to reserve a table for parties of 6 or more, if there is availability - this is simply to secure your booking, absolutely no money will be charged to the card except in the case of late cancellations. A fee of £20 per person will be charged for a cancellation within 24 hours or a no show Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 6:30am - 10:30am, 12pm – 2:30pm & 6pm - 10pm [moreless]

(10 Bow Churchyard in London, United Kingdom)

From the people who brought you the buzzing and beloved Motcomb's on the other side of town comes th...e Bow Wine Vaults. This quaint and casual restaurant is set on the corner of Bow Lane, where the al fresco tables are in hot demand when the weather allows. Inside, there's a wine bar on the ground floor with seating area and a more formal vault dining room below stairs, with soft lighting and white table cloths. Even so, the ambience is relaxed rather than buttoned-up. The menu is a combination of continental favourites with an Eastern accent, accompanied by a truly blistering wine list. Try starter of grilled galette of goats cheese with roasted croutons and salad, main course of king scallops with tiger prawns wok-flamed with cognac, then skip the pud and go for the beautiful cheeses. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 11am - 11pmLunch only 12-3Bar open all other timesClosed Weekends. [moreless]