ISO: London Restaurant Recommendations

[slknight]

My husband and I are going to London in January for 4 days (Martin Luther King weekend). Since I've never been there, I'm looking for restaurant recommendations. Although people make fun of British food as being bland, I would like to try some. We also like Italian, Mexican, etc. I've heard the Indian food in London is excellent, but I don't really like it, although I'm open to suggestions anyway. Thanks in advance!

Edited to say:
I should mention that I'm a fairly picky eater, so we don't generally go for anything too gourmet or fancy. Just down to earth good food.
-Susan

[This message has been edited by slknight (edited 12-14-2000).]

[Heidi]

Here are my recommendations. Please keep in mind that none of these places are particularly fancy or expensive, because I was a student when I was there and couldn't afford to spend a ton of money fancy gourmet food; everything there is more expensive anyway and besides, who wants to spend all your money on food when there is all that great shopping to be had?

I know you said you don't like Indian food, but if you're willing to give it a try, I loved Khan's. To get there, take the Queensway or Bayswater tube stops. It's within walking distance of either of those stops. I also liked Cafe Diana for lunch--it's more middle eastern and mediterranean. The closest tube stop to Cafe Diana is Notting Hill Gate. Both Khan's and Cafe Diana are close to Kensington Gardens. Even if you aren't a huge fan of Indian, there are tons of other types of ethnic food places.

As far as traditional British food, fish and chips from any chippy on the street are always good. Pub food is blah. One traditional thing is the full English breakfast: bacon (not at all like American bacon), beans, toast, tomatoes, and eggs, and a tiny glass of orange juice. Depending on where you are staying, many hotels offer this for breakfast. Any good London guidebook will have restaurant recommendations for traditional British food, as well as any other kind. There's no shortage of places to eat in London!

Oh, one other place we liked was Wagamama, sort of a hip Japanese noodle bar. Also good for lunches. There are a few different locations for Wagamama, you'll have to check a guidebook.

I wish I was going to London with you...I lived there for 4 months in 1998 and fell in love with every thing in that city, but I have to admit I could never bring myself to eat beans on toast and tomatoes for breakfast!

[This message has been edited by Heidi (edited 12-14-2000).]

[hhcowgirl]

DEFINITELY agree about Wagamama's. I lived there for 6 months and must have visited that place 20 times. It is cheap, innovative, fun and TASTY! Also, for truly elegant dining, you can't beat the Ivy. And you must have traditional high tea at either the Savoy or Harrod's (touristy but fun). Have a great trip!

[Don]

There are a couple of places that I would recommend. If you like Middle Eastern food, Cafe Sofra in Covent Garden has the best Turkish food I have ever eaten. Don't miss the 11 course prix fixe "healthy dinner." It's out of this world.

For Asian food, Poons in the Whiteley Shopping Mall in Bayswater and also in Russell Square has decent, reasonably priced Chinese food. I would also recommend Ikkyu in Chinatown for Japanese food. (I know that sounds odd, but the food was delicious and the prices were good.)

If you want to try something similar to Indian, there is a great family-run restaurant next to Euston Station called Great Nepalese that serves (as you might expect) Nepalese food. The food was delicious (not quite as intense as Indian, but similar) and the service was amazing. I also would recommend Khan's in Bayswater for good Indian food at cheap prices.

As for British food, I always avoid it (except for fish and chips). I've never had a bad ethnic food experience in London.

[Heidi]

Please excuse me while I get sentimental for a moment.....Don mentioned Poons in Whiteley's....I used to live about a block from it, we shopped there all the time....Also in Whiteley's is one of the only 2 Mexican food restaurants I ever saw in London, Chi-chi's. I craved Mexican food the whole time I was there! Oh, this is making me too nostalgic...

[venus]

There's an excellent seafood place, but I can't remember it's name. I think it might be called Live Bait? They have a cookbook out.

About half a block from the Angel tube station is a fabulous little Japanese restaurant. They have the best bento boxes I have ever had. I think it was called the World Cafe--there was an internet cafe upstairs. Its very informal--big plank tables and lots of people, but the food is spectacular.

I highly reccomend you eat an English breakfast somewhere. There are different versions of it. My personal favorite came with poached eggs, whole grain toast, English bacon (once again, ten times better than American bacon), sauteed mushrooms and grilled tomatoes, coffee or tea and orange juice. You could also get with sausage, black pudding and this terrible cabbage dish called bubble and squeek--which I wouldn't try unless you're very brave.

[Grace]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Heidi:
besides, who wants to spend all your money on food when there is all that great shopping to be had?

How funny! When my husband and I are in Europe, we look at each other and say just the opposite!! (Who wants to spend all your money on shopping when there is all that great FOOD to be had??!!)

[hhcowgirl]

I just re-read your original post and it says that you really prefer plain food--everyone seems to be giving you ethnic/far-out choices (including me). If you get really homesick for American food (sounds far-fetched, I know, but it can definitely happen over there) then I would seek out the Texas Embassy, near Trafalgar Square. It is great fun, and they love serving Americans. As you requested, just good plain food.

[BevP]

Oh what fun. If you've never had Belgian food, there's Belgo Nord and Belgo Centrall. One of them is in the west end area. It was the only restaurant we went back to so that tells you something. I'll second the pub grub for authentic English food. Enjoy your stay.

[dncomom]

My parents visit London twice a year and they NEVER miss dining at Zia Teresa's (sp?) They say it is the best Italian food around and the staff is very friendly. Have fun wherever you decide to go!

[Beth Y]

For plain old food, you can't beat good fish and chips (I say good, cause there are many places serving bad fish and chips in London, just as there are bad hamburgers here!) try any of the Firkin pubs. There are many under the same umbrella. I went to the Fitz & Firkin when I was there this summer, but the others have similar names and a good reputation for honest, good food. I had some great fish and chips there last time I was in London and then went to another pub the next day and got more (they were still on my mind) and they were terrible! Also, there are little "healthy eateries" called, I think, Pret A Manger, that are really good, good for you and reasonably priced.

[BarrieCov]

For some more suggestions, you may want to visit chowhound.com

They have a message board devoted to good eating in London.

[venus]

I forgot Pret a Manger! It's healthy fast food, but excellent for a quick, hearty lunch. It's a little bit like an Au Bon Pain or a Sandbox shop, but really there is nothing like it in america. They serve these Ploughman lunch sandwiches with chutney and great cheese on whole grain bread that you just grab out of the case. They also have fresh sushi and a big lunch with sandwich, yogurt, drink, etc I think only cost about 4 pounds. YUM. They have finally opened a Pret a Manger here down by the World Trade Center and I am dying to go--my mouth is watering just thinking about it--and this is one of those stores that they have every few blocks in London.

[SusanT]

My husband and I were in London this past May. We found English food very good indeed. There's a nice little restaurant in the Pimlico/Victoria area called Chimes that serves English food (wonderful pot pies) and hard cider. Casual, low-key homey atmostphere. Cafe Flo is a chain that has locations throughtout the city. The food was good and the prices were reasonable.

Probably the most memorable place we ate at was the Cafe in the Crypt at St. Martin in the Fields at Trafalgar Square. The food is served cafeteria style but is very good and reasonably priced. All proceeds go to the church's homeless charities.

Don't pay $40 a head for "tea" at some fancy hotel. There are wonderful little cafe's and patisseries in every neighborhood where you can stop for a cup of tea and a wonderful pastry.

Must agree with the earlier poster about Pret a Mange (sp?). They have outlets everywhere. We bought pre-made pre-packaged sandwiches and they were delicious!

Have a great time in London!

[CrystalB]

I will be travelling to India in Feb., and I have a layover in London. Are there any good places to near Heathrow? I did not have anything fancy in mind, maybe fish & chips at a pub. Does anyone have any recommendations for a pub close to the airport? Thanks!!

[cookie cookerson]

Throw out the healthy eating for one day and try the Profiterole Sundae at Garfunkles. Fabulous. Pastries with cream inside, with ice cream and chocolate fudge sauce. I'm drooling just thinking about it!

[slknight]

I wanted to thank everyone who responded to this post. We went last weekend and had a great time (it was even sunny). I decided to be more adventurous than usual with my eating, and it sure paid off. We went to Khans, and I have been converted to eating Indian food. I'm dying to have it again. We also went to Wagamama TWICE. I fell in love with their Yaki Soba. Thanks again. If it hadn't been for you wonderful people out there in BB land, we probably would have ended up at McDonald's!

-Susan

[Heidi]

Susan-
I am so glad that you liked Khan's and Wagamama! Both of those places are dear to my heart because they remind me of London and all the good times I had there. Glad you went out on a limb and tried Indian...be careful, it's addictive!