Sophisticated venues for smaller office christmas parties

If you’re a small but select crowd – we’re thinking up to around 50, there’s plenty out there to choose from but these are our top picks.

We love The Cage @ Wright brothers’ Soho Oyster House. Not only is this a fabulously unique space – its views of the kitchen provide a great talking point and the bar upstairs with doors spilling out into Kingly Court are the perfect spot for post-dinner mingling and nattering. Another seafood lover’s classic is Bentley’s – arguably the place for sensational seafood, it has private rooms for 14-60 guests and is like having a dinner in someone’s (very posh) drawing room.

Or what about a gourmet curry – we recommend the Michelin-starred Benares well who wouldn’t, but the Dover Room is perfect for parties up to 36 – Atul Kochhar’s griddled prawns will long remain in my memory as one of my all-time greatest foodie moments, so tasty my mouth is watering just thinking of them. But back to Christmas & another firm favourite for top Indian cuisine is Cinnamon Kitchen, where Christmas menus range from £35 – £65 (bowl food from just £2.50) & why not add a Cinnamon bellini and 3 canapes for just an extra £10pp.

A relative newby, The Chancery restaurant’s private dining room for 35 also offers a separate private bar area (50 standing). For Christmas, its elegant brand of fine dining includes short rib of beef and goose with all the trimmings – with 3 courses from £45-50 it’s one for the shortlist. Or if you’re feeling really flush & hungry opt for their 7- course tasting menu priced at an extremely competitive £68 pp.

Another haute cuisine hotspot and recent re-opening– after a top-to-toe refurbishment in the decadent style of Quaglino’s – is D&D’s iconic riverside restaurant Le Pont de la Tour by Tower Hill.

And finally, the private room at the Wolseley is probably the best kept secret in London – for up to 14 guests, the room has views onto the street and into the restaurant, allowing guests to spy on fellow diners – we mean enjoy the view – whilst remaining unseen themselves…perfect for voyeurs and high profile guests alike.