Let me tell you one thing about Maggiore's; it's important where you sit. If you sit at the front, you'll find yourself in private, leather-upholstered splendour - but splendour with a kind of New York buzz rather than Englishman's club. If you sit in the back you'll find yourself in a wonderland, surrounded by greenery - with an open roof in the summer or a heart-warming crackling fire in the winter. It breeds the type of intimacy where 'Let's Meet At' might well turn into 'Fancy Dinner?'.
The food is claimed to be influenced by the tastes and traditions of France but I've had all sorts here. My dish of the moment is artichoke soup - quite outstanding and simply one of the best soups I've ever tasted. The chef has put together an extraordinarily good- value three-course lunch for £19.50, which is just perfect when you need to be a bit quick but without your client noticing that you're in a rush.
But if the food is good then the wine is even better. In fact it's amazing and is currently recognised by Wine Spectator magazine as being one of the best in the world. If you want to show your client that you really know a thing or two about wine then try ordering a bottle of German Riesling, which will make you look like you know your way around a cellar.
Where: 33 King Street, Covent Garden
Contact: 020 7379 9696
How much: From £19.50 a head
