Planet Hollywood or Hard Rock Cafe in London?

[Mazzy]

I would love to hear from anyone who has been to either restaurant. We are planning on going for a meal after the Lion King and can't decide which one to go for.

We haven't eaten at HRC but are planning on visiting the one at Universal in December. We have eaten at the Planet Hollywood in Disneyland Paris and enjoyed it very much.

I did think of Rainforest Cafe but the website says it has huge fish tanks and if I got seated next to one of those I would freak out as I have a fish phobia (I know, I know!)

Are these the top three themed restaurants in London? Or have I missed something?

Any tips would be great.

 

[Muppet]

Hello I have been to both.

Planet Hollywood was nice very similar to all the others but a queue to get in a 30min wait to be seated.

HRC loved but we went to a private party who booked out thr whole resturant and entire staff so the service was excellent and very prompt. Really enjoed the food but I do think we had special catering.

I now this may not be completely helpful but I would chose the HRC but due to where PH is it may be better for location.

 

[highflyer747b]

Even though PH is closer to where The Lion King is being shown, I'd head over to the HRC (expect a line at both places), it was the first HRC in the world, so it's got more history behind it.
Personally, I'd go to Livebait (no live fish - just cooked ones) - the restaurant is excellent and is actually attached to the theatre. They've got great deals on pre and post theatre dinners (normally between the hours of 5 and 6PM and 10 to 12) and as far as location, you can't beat it. Check out www.livebaitrestaurants.co.uk - for offers and information. You're looking for the Covent Garden branch.

Just a short walk away is Belgo, a Belgian restaurant which is also a favorite of mine, between 5PM and 6.30 you get a set dinner which includes fries, a choice of main courses and a glass of beer or wine, best thing is you pay according to the time your order is taken - if you order at 5.15PM you pay 5 pounds and 15 pence. All the food is great there - check out thewebsite for offers and information - www.belgo-restaurants.com ,the atmosphere is probably more themey, all the waiters are dressed as monks and you enter the restaurant by taking a giant industrial elevator down one level. Make a table reservation in advance and you're seated in a nicer area, with seperate tables instead of long communal tables. The nearest branch is Belgo Centraal.
Whatever you choose, have a great dinner and enjoy the show, it's fantastic.

By the way, my birthday is on September 4th too!!! Go Virgo's
Philip

 

[Fantasia Sam]

OK - I've been to all of these restuarants and the others that Philip mentions:

Planet Hollywood is OK but it gets VERY loud in there, you normally have to Q for ages especially if it is a weekend night. It's big open space so you do get a good chance to walk around to view all the stuff.

HRC is good and the food is better here than at PH - IMHO - and as others have said the history is here and it is the very first one but to be fair if it's busy I've never found it easy to have a good look around at the memoribilia (Sp?).

Err I'm taking it if you have a fish phobia you may not eat it but if you do:

Livebait is fantastic and really great food - the fish is out of this world and very reasonable

Belgos is great fun and the food is again great (I love mussels) but not exactly a special place.

On all accounts I would avoid Rainforest Cafe in London it is by no means up to the standard of the ones in WDW IMHO - eat there at your peril the last time I went the food was either over cooked or under cooked - the service appalling (PH and HRC both have good service) all in all I really resented coughing up for the bill at the end.

Enjoy Mazzy

 

[Mazzy]

Thanks everyone for your replies

After looking at locations and menus I've actually decided on TGI Friday's as suggested by Tim (Goofyish) in a previous thread - thanks for that Tim.

TGI's is not far from the Lyceum from looking at the map so we should be able to walk it (foot permitting) and the menu looks really good - especially for the children, it's the largest kids menu I've ever seen! Another bonus is that we are able to make a booking so no waiting around hopefully.

Has anyone eaten at the TGI's at Covent Garden (Bedford St)? Or walked there from the Lyceum? I would love to hear your experiences if you have!

BTW, there is no way I could go in Livebait, knowing how many of the dreaded creatures would be surrounding me - even though they would be dead!

Philip - so how old will you be on Sept 4? Doing anything special?

 

[highflyer747b]

Hey Mazzy,

We've eaten at TGIF's a few times and have never had a bad experience there, it's much better than the Leicester Square branch! It's a very easy walk from/to the Lyceum, and a good choice if you've got kids.

I'll be 25 on Sept 4! I guess neither of us will be celebrating on the day...
We've booked a belated birthday trip to DisneyWorld, staying at the BWI and AKL. I can't wait!

Philip

PS Not sure if you've notices but I've made a slight amendment to my previous post - I got my Virgins and my Virgo's mixed up - sorry. LOL

 

[richard3330]

Hey,

I have been to both and in my opinion Planet Hollywood wins.

The downside to Planet Hollywood is the waits .... we had to wait 20 minutes to get in and then about 35 minutes for our food.

Planet Hollywood does however have a really cool atmosphere and the staff are GREAT.

HRC is also good, but doesn't seem as 'different' as Planet Hollywood. The waits at HRC are still really long and the food is not as good.

BUT TGI Fridays wins out of all of them .... you are making a great choice, we went there on our last visit when we saw the Lion King in March. It is really near by and the food is really nice and the American theme is really well carried out. The staff were helpful as well. The prices are cheaper than PH and HRC but it is still a good choice.

Have Fun!

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Well I agree TGI's is my favourite out of all of these - I love their food and some of the portions will remind you of Orlando.

The Deep fried onion thingy is huge as are most of the appetizers but you just can't help yourself - OK well I can't LOL

I really like the non-alcholic smoothies as well their scrum - oh god all that talking about food has made me hungry

 

[Mazzy]

Philip - yes I did notice your original error - but didn't like to say! Oh to be 25 again, where did the years go! So what date are you going in September? AKL looks fascinating doesn't it, I was considering staying there in December but decided on the Poly as I do love a water view! We are planning to visit AKL though to have a nosey round! Glad to hear your thoughts on TGIF, it will be much easier not having to get a taxi outside the theatre!

Richard - thanks for your comments - it sounds like I have made the right decision! The children have seen the menu on the website and can't wait to eat the dessert with the jelly worms!

Sam - thanks for another vote for TGI Fridays! Yes, I'm getting hungry too!

 

[BevS97]

Mazzy

I'm not sure how old your kids are, but, we've discovered in TGI's that they have 2 kids menu's - one for younger kids and one for teens - they are similiar, but the older menu is more expensive than the younger kids one, and I presume the portions are larger.

What we've noticed is that they always give you the more expensive one, and you have to ask for the little kids menu - I would have thought it obvious that a 4 year old would only want the younger one, but we have been giving the wrong one twice.

Just something to watch out for

Bev

 

[Mazzy]

Hi Bev

Thanks for that info Sam is 12 now and Dan is 8 so they will be needing the larger portions anyway so no problem there. I wonder if they will let me have a worm from their dessert?

 

[Lemur]

Hard Rock gets my vote. Love the place.

Been going there since I was a kid and never get bored.

The food is great .. the staff are great fun .. and it's pretty good value for money compared to simlar style places like TGI's.

Otherwise track down a Chilis .. I know of one in Cambridge .. and another in London but that's it .. sadly .. oh how I pine for the eateries on I Drive.

 

[Astrid]

My two always enjoy TGI's too so that sounds a good bet to me Mazzy!

If you're after a delicious cocktail try the Friday's Freeze - Orange Sherbert Icecream with Vodka - truly delicious!! (hic!)

Have a fun time - sounds like you'll have a great weekend.

Astrid x

 

[lisag1]

Ooh this is a hard one! I've never tried Planet Hollywood but I love TGI's and HRC. In fact we were at HRC yesterday in Birmingham. It came to £32.00 for 2 adult meals (bacon cheeseburger & chips and Jamaican Jerk Chicken sandwich with coleslaw, fries and side order of lime mayo which was delish) and 2 childrens meal deals plus 3 extra cokes. The children were more entertained at HRC as they could watch the music videos.

But I absolutely LOVE the Jack Daniel meals at TGI's and they have a more extensive menu plus you can get an FBI cocktail (Frozen Black Irish - vodka, baileys, kahlua & ice cream). You can't go far wrong with either of them. Have a brilliant time!!

Lisa

 

[Claire Chatts]

Ahhh, TGI's, my favourite!!

If you've never tried the Jack Daniels sauce you've got to give it a go, I'm not keen on the drink but the sauce is yummy!! We have the "Three for all" starter which includes the Jack Daniels wings.

As for the cocktails, if you like rum you've got to go for the Zombie although my other favourite is the Beverly Hills Iced Tea, like a long island but topped with champagne (sparkly wine I think they use!!).

As we're talking TGI's, does anyone know if the Orlando joints have the large cocktail lists we have here? We went to TGI's in San Fran and LA a couple of years ago but I was a little disappointed by the small cocktail menu.