The answer is… yes, fellow food lovers, yes you can! Even in London! I hope you all jump for joy at this news as much as I do.
Everyone loves great food, so why should the best be exclusive to those earning huge pay packets and not accessible to people of more modest incomes e.g. us students. It shouldn’t.
That is why I have made it my mission to find out what, where and how us mere mortals can be sipping cocktails with the high flyers, without the eye-watering price tag.
Whether you want to impress a first date, celebrate with friends or simply just want to enjoy fine dining at it’s best, carry on reading to find out how. You can thank me later.
Arbutus, Soho
Arbutus [www.arbutus.co.uk.]
The restaurant calls itself a ‘contemporary bistro’ and serves European food.
The great news is you can eat at this Michelin-starred establishment for just £23 for two courses from a set menu.
The Working Lunch/Pre-Theatre menu is available Monday to Friday from 12pm to 2.30pm, and from 5pm to 6.30pm.
Splash out a further £3 and you can enjoy three courses! Menu highlights include; Game Ragù, Homemade Pappardelle to start and Slow Cooked Pork Collar, Turnips and Cime Di Rapa as a main.
Kitchen W8, Kensington
Kitchen W8 [www.kitchenw8.com]
Kitchen W8 describes itself as ‘a genuinely relaxed and friendly neighbourhood restaurant, which also happens to have a Michelin star’. Not bad.
Chef Mark Kempson gained the restaurant a Michelin star in 2011, and it has retained it every year since.
It serves ‘modern European’ food, whatever that may be, but I’m not complaining when a set menu for dinner will only set you back £25 for two courses, or £28 for three.
Menu highlights include; a main course of Roast Corn Fed Chicken with Baked Celeriac, Smoked Shallot, Hazelnut and Pear and Sicilian Blood Orange with White Chocolate, Yoghurt and Passion Fruit for dessert.
Social Eating House, Soho
Social Eating House [@socialeathouse via Twitter]
Unfortunately the deal is only available at lunchtime from 12pm to 2.20pm, but is offered everyday except Sunday.
Menu highlights include a starter of Slow Cooked Burford Brown Hen’s Egg Benedict, Duck Ham, Brioche, Pickle Onion Jam and for dessert a 70 per cent Chocolate Pavé, Mango, Almond, Chocolate and Hazelnut Nougat.
This restaurant is on the ground floor, and the first floor is home to an award-winning bar ‘The Blind Pig’ making the whole place even better!
Now you know the secret, go and grab your friends, girlfriend, boyfriend, mum, sister (or whoever is free) and go and become a connoisseur of fine food.
All on your student budget! You are welcome.
Featured Image by Lizzie Smith