The Ivy is one of those restaurants that critics usually describe as a 'gastronomic treat'. To you or I, that simply means good food and not overly expensive (though £175 caviar for starter can certainly put a dent in the average bill).
The restaurant is situated in a quiet street just a few blocks from Leicester Square. Once inside, you will quickly adjust to the busy atmosphere, created by a contented patrons enjoying their food. The Ivy is known to be a hangout for celebrities, although I've never seen anyone remotely famous there.
The service is excellent, and the food is top drawer - its modern British, with a European influence. That means you can still get fish and chips, or a burger, as well as your posh French nosh. As with most restaurants, it has a menu outside the door. For desert, though, I must recommend the Baked Alaska - warm meringue on the outside, with cold ice cream on the inside ... delicious!
To get an evening table at an exact time, you generally have to book months in advance; but if you can be flexible, and particularly if you can make a lunchtime at a weekend, you shouldn't have any problem.
It's a great restaurant, one of London's finest, and is worth going to for a treat.