Ever been to a pongo mess where you all sit next to each other on a long table?
I liked that system when I used to eat lunch regularly in an army mess in HK. You sat in order of arrival so you might find yourself with the colonel on one side and the newest subaltern on the other - great idea, and prevented cliques forming. No choice offered, but as I recall the food was pretty good.
Getting back to the club, Im finding it expensive now and I limit my stays to one long weekend a year with Mrs TTN, which, factoring in the ever increasing membership fees, is not cheap. However sitting in the Cowdray with a Bombay Sapphire and tonic, overlooking Green Park just about makes it worth it. (I concur with
PN about the excellent lady behind the bar there)