We’ve been there. You’ve made grand plans for a nice dinner out on a Monday night. You give yourself a pat on the back for being smarter than all those schmucks who go out for dinner at the weekend – by picking quiet Monday you’re a shoo-in for a table. Then it dawns on you: everything’s shut on a Monday. The staff need a break, the slower days are a drain on resources, the kitchen has to restock post-weekend. It makes sense, especially for smaller joints. But for those moments when you absolutely MUST eat at a restaurant on a Monday, we’ve got some recommendations.
Longstanding London institutions are always a solid bet, both in terms of menu and opening hours. Ciao Bella on Lamb’s Conduit Street, which is nearing its 40th birthday, is open at the same times every day, serving their familiar, reliable and delicious Italian classics. Same goes for St. JOHN, now almost 30 years old, whose flagship on St John Street is open for Michelin-starred business any day of the week.
Or, if you’re looking to venture out further than European cuisine this Monday, you can’t go wrong with Master Wei (owned by chef Wei Guirong of Xi’an Impression fame), Dai Chi for some Osakan street food or Daebak for the Korean fried chicken. Essentially, in London, you’re never too far from an excellent restaurant, even if it is a Monday.
