20 hottest tables in the capital

If you want to book a table at the capital's hottest restaurant you will not be given a reservation until 2005.

The astonishing length of the waiting list at Gordon Ramsay's restaurant at Claridge's is revealed in an Evening Standard survey today.

We anonymously approached 20 top restaurants to book a table for two at 8pm on a Friday evening - and found that a table at Claridge's would not be available for the rest of the year.

While there is no question that the cuisine and service at Claridge's is of the finest quality, Richard Harden - co-editor of the Harden's restaurant guides - believes the cult of celebrity chefs is just as important as the food.

He said: "This survey is proof that it is not only about what chefs do in the kitchen but what they do on TV that makes a successful restaurant."

But it is not only the celebrity chefs who are receiving the attention. At London's celebrity canteen The Ivy, diners who are not on the A-list must wait 27 weeks for a prime Friday table.