Delicious Britain & Ireland: 2004
When you take your tongue out sightseeing in Britain, what are its favorite taste treats? (Or does it just want to go back home?)
the BlueZone Jazz wine bar
If you like pizzas as we do,we found a place in Dingle, the Blue Zone, west of Ireland (the whole peninsula is well worth a detour) that has the best & funkiest choices. We had the "Irish dream" which is Guinness mustard & braised pork and the "Green street special" which had swiss chard, applewood cheese, pesto & a whole bunch of roasted green vegetables. The place is a wine bar and has live jazz music some nights.Good ice creams too.
Elijah Zeiss <email>
Denver, CO USA Sat 12/04/2004
London cheap eats
Marmaris Turkish Restaurant on Warwick (just off Belgrave) is a must. Food always fresh and served hot! Take away option as well. I eat there every visit to London. The price is great.
Lori
Minneapolis, MN USA Mon 11/22/2004
Wagamama
Convenient pre-theater in Covent Garden. Short wait at 5:30, packed by 6:30. Awesome miso ramen (very similar to what I had in Japan) and apple/lime juice. Another visit, I tried the chicken ramen, which was flavorless and the chicken was a little rubbery. Still a good deal, about 10-15 GBP per meal.
ML
Vancouver, WA USA Wed 11/10/2004
Conwy food
Cream tea at Anna's tea room in Conwy is great on a wet day. Also Dawson's had the best pub food we experienced in our three-week trip in The U.K.
George Carey <email>
Boise, Id USA Sun 10/31/2004
London Pot Pies
The pot pies at The Tea Clipper Pub are superb! 19 Montpelier St Central London
Claudia <email>
Hollywood, CA USA Sat 10/23/2004
The Marmaris Turkish Restaurant, London
Just back from England, and one of our very favorite dinners (cheap, too, for London) was at a Turkish restaurant called the Marmaris. Its address is 45 Warwick Way, London SW1--phone is 0207-828-5940. It's in the Pimlico area--a short walk from our hotel on Belgrave Rd.It's a tiny, family-run place.
We had, for starters, grilled sausage and grilled Turkish cheese. Then we both had kebabs--one of us had the chicken, the other had the chef's special, which was chicken, lamb, beef, and spicy meatballs. Both were grilled with onion and pepper and both came with pilaf.Everything was fresh off the grill, seared, tender, hot (not spicy, just hot), and plentiful. And it was all delicous. We drank water (he put ice in it!) and spent just under 20 pounds (plus tip) for the two of us. I want to go baaack!!!
Bonita Kale <email>
Cleveland, OH USA Thu 10/07/2004
The divine Rivergod in Galway
We found another god! Not quite the one above but a tangible one, one that tastes divine. The Rivergod in Galway made our trip memorable. The four of us ate there three nights in a row and couldn't find a dud! That's something of a novelty. Try the blackened chicken with mango & lime sauce. I ate it twice. The chef has a website and the recipe is on it. So far we cooked it four times and it didn't disappoint. Only my mother thought it too spicy.
Jane Russel-Meyers <email>
New York City, NY USA Sun 10/03/2004
Dining in London
Two great places to eat in London:Oxo Tower Restaurant - located in Oxo tower. Modern British. A little pricey, but everything was superb. Great view of the city. Be forewarned, the portions are a bit small, but I did not leave hungry.
Rules - traditional British fare. Claims to be the oldest restaurant in London. Good British atmosphere and good food.
Cynthia <email>
Canton, MI USA Fri 09/24/2004
Pub food in Dublin
A pub recommendation for Dublin:Darkey Kelly's: on Fishamble St. across from the church. Very cozey and GREAT food, especially the Guiness and beef stew with homemade brown bread on the side.Good for lunch and affordable.
Kelly Feltault <email>
Silver Spring MD, USA Sat 09/11/2004
Great food in Ireland
There is a food revolution going on in Ireland and we had truly incredible meals.
Cashel - dinner at our B & B-Legend's Guesthouse. Excellent gourmet dinner, great wine list, and you can't beat the view, they are at the foot of the Rock of Cashel.
Kinsale - Thanks to all who recommended Fishy Fishy Cafe, only open for lunch. It was my favorite.
Kenmare- Packies. Again the food was unbelievable. Wish we had a 2nd night in Kenmare.
Dingle - best breakfast goes to Heaton's Guesthouse, the breakfast special of porrige with Drambui is only topped by Nuala's pancakes. Ate at two restaurants that I got from this board - Out of the Blue (seafood only-my vote for favorite dinner) and Midi (pizza & other mediterranean food, a nice change from the Irish food) as well as the Charthouse (upscale gourmet, listed in many guidebooks, very good).
Burren - our B & B host, Jim at Clifden House (Corofin), pointed the way to a great hike near Kinvarra followed by fabulous lunch at Linannes Lobster Bar in Newquay.
Finally, Drink Guinness!!!! I do not like it here at home and only meant to have one glass to say I had done so. Ended up drinking it everyday - as they say "Guinness for Strength".
Karen <email>
Atlanta, GA USA Thu 08/26/2004
Greatest Pub food
The absolute best food I have had in England was at a small pub called The Golden Boar in Feckenham, which is just outside of Mildenhall in East Anglia. We ate there 4 out of 6 nights we were there and were never disappointed! Excellent menu and gourmet food. Reasonably priced. it is a warm, friendly pub with tons of atmosphere. The owners worked right along side their employees and made us all fell very welcome.
Highly recommended
Jill McCoy <email>
Prosselsheim, Germany Wed 08/25/2004
London Tops
Dining in London was fantastic...most of the time. The best of the fantastic, in order:
Rules, on Maiden Lane - oldest British Restaurant, throughout smelled like perfectly roasted prime rib, truly special, a small London style splurge (http://www.rules.co.uk/);
the Churchill Arms, on Kensington Church Street, very popular pub in front and delicious Thai food (all entrees 6-7 pounds!) in connected conservatory in back, lots on reviews on internet;
Mon Plasir, (www.monplasir.co.uk), oldest French restaurant in London with fantastic and inexpensive pre-theater menu;
Destino, 1-2 blocks off Picadilly Circus, exotic Spanish? restaurant - dark and romantic - inexpensive for London.
Hope you enjoy these places as much as we did ! (Unless you like slow service and sticky tables stay away from Sherlock Holmes Pub and the George Inn (both listed in books and on websites).)
Lara
Cleveland, OH USA Wed 08/04/2004
Delicious Britain
All Bar One - a great chain with good food and wine choices. Good for a quick lunch and a glass of wine. All over London and the UK.
RS <email>
chicago, il USA Mon 08/02/2004
Eating in London, Dublin and Edinburgh
We just got back from a trip to the UK. We took Ricks book and found the eating spots were right on. Best pizza in London, Pizza Express. Tons of locations and good pizza.
In Edinburgh the best place we ate was Maison Bleue on Victoria Street. Very good and had spices for the first time in 11 days. The food was not bland.
The best meal we had in London was at L'Autre Bistro in Mayfair. It was Polish/Mexican--Wierd, but good and there is a story behind the combination. Just ask the server. Delicious flavored vodkas from Poland.
The Preem had very good Indian food in London. It is located in the Bangli section of London. It was also the cheapest meal we had.
Julie Marshall <email>
Tempe, AZ USA Mon 07/26/2004
Sherlock Holmes Fans
Last fall I had a great meal at the Sherlock Holmes Pub on Northumberland St, WC2, London. Found it by accident when walking from Trafalgar Square to the London Eye. Traditional pub downstairs, upstairs is a charming old restaurant with living room set up with all SH memorabilia from his stories -- something a true fan can appreciate. The meal was fun -- I ordered "Toad in the Hole" which turned out to be a ring of mashed potatoes and 2 big sausages swimming in gravy -- very hearty stuff and at a good price!
Sue
Philadelphia, PA USA Fri 07/23/2004
London Eats
A couple good places to eat from our recent trip to the UK.
Rules in Covent Gardens. This is a great place. They claim to be the oldest running place in London. It's a formal dinner type of place and a little expensive, but the service and food are fantastic. They also have a web site with pictures and menus online, as well as you can email reservations.
In Greenwich, we were originally going to hit Trafalgar as indicated in Rick's book. Our kids are a little picky on what they would eat and were getting tired with traditional British fare. However, there is a pub next store. You have to go down the alley, since you can't walk any further down the shoreline. The fish and chips were great and the kids had nachos. It turned out to be about have the price as Trafalgar.
Another favorite that I've eat at just about everytime I go to London is Shakespere's. It's a pub that is just across the street from Victoria station. They have great fish and chips, as well as treacal pudding.
Bob <email>
Dublin, oh USA Fri 07/23/2004
Eating in expensive Ireland
We found Ireland quite expensive but lucked out with a few places in Galway where we spent a fantastic week. Look out for these: the Noodle House, the Archway, Pierres,and the best was the Rivergod which was very good and reasonably priced.
Larry Thompson
Denver, COL USA Wed 07/14/2004
Eating in Greenwich
My favorite meal that we had on the whole weeks long trip to London and Paris was at the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich. Which Rick Steve's had recommended in his London travel book. My mother ordered the roast with potatoes and yorkshire pudding and I had the fish and chips along with my first pint. It was so good that I will always compare any other fish and chips that I get against it. The tavern itself sits on the water and we were there on a lovely sunny, spring day in front of the window, with a cool breeze blowing in. Greenwich was beautiful and I highly recommend going to the Queens House, the painted hall, and the Chapel.
D. Santos <email>
Antioch, CA USA Tue 07/13/2004
Eating in Dingle
Two great place to eat in Dingle are Midi (next to Dick Mack's Pub across the street from the church) and The Wild Banks on Main Street (has a blue store front). Midiis owned by the same people that own River God in Galway which also has good food. The Wild Banks is new but is highly recommended by locals.
Charles
New Orleans, La USA Mon 07/12/2004
Best Seafood
...perhaps in the world is, where else, Dingle, Ireland. Our B&B hostess (Emlagh Lodge) recommended "Out of the Blue" as her favorite place for fresh seafood. They serve only what is fresh (the menu changes daily), and are the most expert at preparing each kind of seafood in the best way for its particular taste and texture.
It is located right on the waterfront in Dingle, but it is hard to see the name. Just look for the small blue building with Fresh Seafood written along the top of the wall. We've eaten seafood in many great places, but this may be the best...in the world!!!
Craig Sheumaker <email>
Jackson, CA USA Sun 06/20/2004
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My picks for great (and cheap) Food in England
Just back from 14 days in England and here are our picks for cheap and wonderful meals:
London: Take away: Pret a Manger sandwich shops are wonderful. Marks & Spencer also offers great take away, with more of a selection on sandwiches, salads and desserts. Benjy's offers good sandwiches as well, although for a pound more you get a piece of fruit: , a bag of crisps(potato chips) and a can of soda. Good locations for picnics: Hyde Park. There is a Pret and Benji's near the Marble arch metro, walk to Hyde Park for a picnic. Grab a sandwich new Westmister Abby and sit under the Abe Lincoln statue for your picnic. Not only is it prime people watching, and you meet tons of Americans taking a picture of honest Abe, but you get to see cars going around and around the round about while you say "Look, Big Ben, Parliament!"
Belgium: Can't beat Belgo Central (Rick's recommendation) and also recommended by so many others on this sight. Save room for the chocolate cheesecake which is the best I've EVER tasted!
Thai: Busaba Eathai in Soho, good Thai food in a cool atmosphere. The address is 106-110 Wardour Street. Our best meal in London!
Indian Food: Soho Spice (Rick's recommendation) in Soho. Also on Wardour Street, about 124. We did the Tandoori special and split it between the two of us. A lot of food for 15 pounds total!
French: Mon Plaisir at 21 Monmouth, a great French restaurant with pre or post theatre meals, 2 or 3 course prix fix meals, very reasonable and delicious. Our 2 course prix fix meal was 13 pounds each. The homemade chocolate glace is to die for.
Asian: Jenny Lo's was fabulous, up near Victoria Station (also in Rick's recommendations). Wagamama's was good too, also in Rick's book (seem to be everywhere, even at the Tower of London.)
Little Italy: Leceister Square. Great pizza, bruscetta and Tiramisu! If you sit in the outdoor café in Leceister Square you feel like you are in Roma!
York: Had our two best meals in England in York, both in Rick's Great Britain book. Café Concerto, right across from the Minster. It was excellent. They serve their light menu from 12-6pm, which is the same menu as dinner, except its 2-3 pounds cheaper. We got there at 5:45 pm for dinner and our entrees were each 2-3 pounds cheaper, and so was the dessert. If you can't get to Edinbourgh for spectacular fish & chips- go to Gillygate Fisheries (also in Rick's book) across from the Gillygate Pub outside Bootham Gate. Its off the beaten path, but worth it. It was 3 pounds for a hugh piece of haddock with chips that they wrap up in paper for take away. Mouth watering!
Stratford on Avon: Café Rouge on Sheep Street Offers a 2 course meal from 12-7pm. The mussels and fries were great and so are the chocolate desserts. I accidentally left my camera on the back of my chair and came back the next day to claim it. The staff were very nice and had it waiting for me.
If you are looking for the ultimate Stratford experience have drinks at the Dirty Duck Pub (across from the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre.) Not only is it
An outside pub that overlooks the River Avon, but having seen Romeo & Juliet the night
Before at the RSC theatre, Its great to sit out and have their way have Romeo or Benvolio walk by as well.
Diane Secchi <email>
Arlington, VA USA Thu 06/10/2004
Britain food recommendations
Just returned from 12 days in Britain (London, York & Edinburgh). Some recommendations/comments I'd like to pass on:
1) Pret a Manger sandwich shops are everywhere in London (& I believe they are in York & Edinburgh too), and are very good & fresh (sandwiches, soups, fruit).
2) Found a small Marks & Spencer store right by St. Paul's and had a wonderful pasta salad with grilled chicken--& very cheap!--I think about 2-3 pounds. They provide free plasticware near the door as you exit, and we picnic'd in St. Paul's garden on a beautiful, sunny day.
3) Had the worst soup I ever had at St. Martin's-in-the Fields Cafe in the Crypt. Couldn't even eat it (potato, by the way). But the rest of the meal was OK.
4) Great steak & ale pie with roast potatoes & vegs at The World's End pub in Edinburgh (on the corner of High St & Jeffrey/St. Mary's streets where Rick describes that you can see the brass bricks that marked the "World's End"). Six pounds & it was fantastic and almost more than I could eat. Liked it so much, went back again before we left Edinburgh. Very small place, though, and stops serving food at 9.
5) Greyfriar Bobby's Pub in Edinburgh (right in front of the statue)-- very good chicken, mozzarella & mushroom pie.
6) For sweet pastries, the Upper Crust food kiosks at the train stations (King's Cross-London, York, & Waverly in Edinburgh)are terrific! They also serve meat pies, but didn't try them. In Edinburgh, try the Piemaker locations (& they'll tell you the history of pie & where the words pasty/pastry come from), or Mathieson's tiny store at the corner of Newington & Salisbury Road (near Rick's B&B neighborhood). Very friendly staff at both places. I think all pastry shops in Britain serve both meat pies (or pasties) & sweet pastries. Enjoy!
Julie <email>
Fort Worth, TX USA Tue 06/01/2004
More budget choices!
Here are some of our favorites:
1. On Wednesday night only-the V&A Candlelight dinner, in a lower level of the Museum where you are entertained by live classical music. In addtion the museum had two other free concerts scheduled that night
2. Belgo Central - great "beat the clock" specials include rotisserie chicken, suausages, a meat pie and of course the mussels. Great fun at a cheap 5-7 pounds - based on the time your order is submitted.
3. The Cafe in the Crypt basement restaurant in St Matins in the Field across from the National Galery. Great soup and desert special for about 6 pounds
4. Mela Indian resturant on Shaftesbury in the West End for their pre theatre special 10.95 pounds. We ate here twice.
5. Bistro Benito a family run Italian restaurant on Earls Court road - dinner specials from 5 - 10 pounds
6. Ye Olde Chesire Inn - believe off of Fleet Street. Eat in the ground floor room and experience excellent pub food in a very historic pub at resonable prices.
Ed
Prescott,, AZ USA Mon 05/31/2004
Budget London Choices
Here are 3 budget choices my wife and I enjoyed on our recent trip to London.
1) The Stockpot- They offer set 3 course dinners for around 6 pounds. You choose from 4 itens in each course. We went to the one on Panton St., just west of Leicester Square.
2) Wetherspoon's Pub- A good choice for families and non drinkers. They are a large chain of pubs that feature non smoking family sections. Their food is a very good bargain. They have a special, 2 dinners for 6 pound 79. You get 10 choices, such as Cottage Pie, Fish and Chips, and Spaghetti. My fish was excellent, and HUGE. We went to the one at the 02 Centre (Finchley Road tube station-Jubilee Line).
3) Wong Kei- My wife's favorite. We went here twice. Located at the west end of Chinatown on Wardour St., they offer outstanding chinese food at rock bottom (for London) prices. We had soup and 3 delicious entrees for 13 pounds. This place is an experience. It has 4 floors full of locals. You walk in and the waiters quickly direct you either "Upstairs" or "Downstairs". You are then herded to big tables for 8 with total strangers. I had read that the waiters were notoriously rude, but we didn't experience that. Highly recommended for a different, yet fun and delicious experience.
John Schrantz
Camano Island, Wa. USA Mon 05/24/2004
Great food in Scotland
Just got back from 9 days in Scotland. The food was amazing! Here are my recommendations:
Inverness: Rocpool - modern European food with the extraordinary local produce. Staff was attentive and super-accomodating.
Stirling - if you go to the Wallace Monument, try the tearoom. They had fabulous soup!
Edinburgh - If you go to Edinburgh Castle, check out the restaurant, we had delicious soup and sandwiches there!
Also, Deacon Brodie has a large non-smoking section adn serves good food. The staff is friendly and helpful as well.
Hil & Jeff
Charleston, SC USA Mon 05/24/2004
London food
Wagamama, Wagamama!! A great Pan Asian restaurant that Rick reccommended. If you go on their website you can get weekly vouchers that offer buy one get one meals. Also, Pret Manger, throughout London, has excellent sandwiches for reasonable prices.
Bern
USA Mon 05/24/2004
Indian, Italian, English
Ustav (Indian) near High Street Kensington. I would have preferred more yogurt in the Chicken Tika Masala and smaller cubes of chicken (to infuse more flavor into the meat).
Cafe Uno, also in Kensington. Very delicate flavor in the tomato sauce in the lasangna.
Try fish and chips at the historic Eagle Pub in Cambridge (where the discoverers of DNA celebrated -- before and after).
Mike
Naperville, IL USA Sat 05/22/2004
Ireland Eats
Fishy Fishy Cafe in Kinsale was excellent. I had a delicious warm prawn salad and my husband had a wonderful seafood chowder. Another favorite was Chart House in Dingle. Yummy mussels and seafood flan. In Clifden: Two Dog Cafe was very good. The food at Ballynahinch Castle (at both the Pub & the Restaurant) was scrumptious. To be honest, we didn't really have a clunker in our 30+ meals. But we also did lots of research! (Our last trip to Ireland was a culinary disaster.)
Mary B.
Kansas City, MO USA Thu 05/20/2004
Good Food
The British Library in London has a wonderful cafe for a great reasonably priced lunch, and it is open on Sunday too.
Sara Parkin
Longview, WA USA Tue 05/18/2004
"Pordylo's" - Kilkenny, Ireland
We had one of the best meals of our two week European vacation at a little hidden-away place called "Pordylo's" in Kilkenny, Ireland. The restaurant is in an alley called "Butterslip", which is off of the main street in Kilkenny. Great variety of menu items, and impressive wine list. My husband had what he is still calling, one of the best caesar salads he's EVER had.
April 9
Kirkland, WA USA Mon 05/10/2004
Squashing the British food myth
My sister and I spent Easter holiday in London. Contrary to what you hear about British food, we found some deliciously wonderful places to eat! Rick's recommendation on Belgo Centraal was spot on! A wonderful place for mussels (prepared at least 6 different ways!) as long as you don't mind the cigarette smoke and beer hall atmosphere. The frites are perfect! Be sure to go for the "early dinner" specials where the cost of your meal is based upon the time that you placed your order. Example: order at 632pm and you pay GBP 6.32! Try the Thai curry mussels! And Belgo Centraal serves late night dinners!
Meals in Chinatown are very good too. The smell of roast duck is mesmerizing!
Looking for a late night meal? SoHo is the place to go!
Light lunches and afternoon tea at Richoux and Patisserie Valerie are also surprisingly good and reasonably price (by London standards). But if you really want a treat and have no qualms of the expense, enjoy afternoon tea at Claridge's! The tea selection is the most extensive we've ever seen. They serve a generous selection of sandwiches and offer to bring you more if you want it. My sister and I thrive on afternoon tea: Claridge's has the best service we've ever experienced!
Leslie & Christine
San Francisco, CA USA Thu 04/22/2004
Good Turkish Restaurant
We (family of four) thought that London was VERY expensive and the food so so. We did find a great Turkish restaurant, where we were treated like royalty, the food was delicious, appropriately priced and well served. The Troia Cafe restaurant is across from the Travel Inn (County Hall) or just one block south of the London Eye on Belvedere Road
fpp
Petaluma, CA USA 04/18/04
Pasties
Pasty (rhymes with tasty) stands found in the larger London Underground and train stations, and elsewhere I assume, serve a unique and delicious fast food. Cornish pasties are pastries that look like calzones or apple turnovers and are filled with meat in various combinations and styles. They originated with Cornish miners - giving the men a complete meal with meat and vegetables and baked into a convenient package complete with a crust handle that could be discarded after being grasped by dirty hands.
K Herald <email>
Kearney, NE USA 04/18/04
Dining Bath & Cotswolds
A wonderful fine dining restaurant in Bath is "The Circus".
Two other restaurant that we thoroughly enjoyed in the Cotswolds (Upper and Lower Oddington) are The Fox Inn, and The Horse and Groom.
I highly recommend these for the atmosphere and delicious food.
Reservations are a must.
Francine
Toronto, Ontario Canada, USA 04/15/04
Steak and Kidney Pie and other things
If you are in Greenwich, come out to the main street from the train station and turn right. Have an old-fashioned pot pie at Goddards Pie House! Their menu is short and the prices are rediculously low! They are an authentic British tradition that can't be missed!
Gail <email>
Almere, NL 04/08/04
London dining - delicious, affordable
We just returned from London and Paris. The best meal of our entire trip was dinner at a new Indian restaurant near the Marble Arch tube stop, Cafe Quebec, 25 New Quebec Street. Three of us dined on huge portions for a total of 35 pounds. The friendly staff even took us down to --meeting the cooks and admire the tandoori oven.
Linda Bendixen
Poulsbo, WA USA 03/28/04
Belgos
Belgo Central in Covent Gardens has a great meal deal between 6pm and 8pm. You pay according tot he time that you order (applies to "specials" and includes entree and beverage- beer or soda. So if you order at 6pm, you pay 6 pounds, and so forth. The portions were generous and food was delicious. My husband ordered bucket of seasoned mussels, and I had the pork and leek sausages with garlic mash. It was worthy.
Jeanne
Duarte, CA USA 03/21/04
Tottenham Pub
We had lunch at The Tottenham pub (across the street from the tube stop, down the alley a bit - opposite the Dominion Theater playing "Queen - We Will Rock You"). It was wonderful! We went downstairs and had table service, my husband had a tasty sausage sandwich and I had the steak sandwich. Both lovely on soft, delicious rolls with nice chips. Worth every farthing!
Jan
Roseville, CA USA 03/20/04
Cotwolds - edibly delicious
Just spent a few short days in the Cotswolds.
Stow - Highly recommend The Kings Arms just off the square. Everything was good, but the venison was likely the best I've ever had. Just south of Stow on A429 (I think where A424 comes in) is an Italian place that is also very good.
Broadway - Goblets is OK. You won't be disappointed, but didn't compare with The Kings Arms in Stow. Highly recommend breakfast at The Lygon Arms, especially the Salmon.
Walk <email>
White Bear, USA 03/11/04
food
Good Italian restaurant ASK Pasta and Pizza 162 Victoria St. Across from Victoria Station prices reasonable. Seafresh restaurant 80-81 Wilton Road about 1/4 mile from Victoria Station good fish & chips
larry
manhattan beach, ca USA 03/11/04
Super Thai in Lincoln
The absolute best food on our two-week cathedral-and-pub tour was at the Thailand No. 1 in Lincoln. Best Thai we've ever had anywhere, and reasonmable for an English restaurant. Very kind and personable staff as well. If you're anywhere near Lioncoln, in the cathedral quarter, don't pass it up!
Jane W <email>
East Flat Rock, NC USA 03/03/04
Eating in South Kensington
We spent 10 days in London for Christmas and found some great places to eat.
For a great Indian food experience, try The Kyber Pass on Blue Street in South Kensington. it probably has only about 8 tables, and certainly isn't a "grand" atmosphere, but the service and food was outstanding. It must be a family run place, with about 2 waiters per table. It made me want to eat Indian food every night of the week.
Also in South Kensington, we found a classic British pub, the
Shetland Arms, where we experienced real English pub food--great bangers and mash and super meat pies. Service was fast and friendly.
Sue <email>
Seattle, Wa USA 02/28/04
London Indian Restaurant
Veeraswamy is a great Indian restaurant on Regent Street, just north of Picadilly Circus. My wife and I enjoy Indian food and this was simply the best at a very fair price. The service was polite and professional.
Doug Ellingson <email>
Chanhassen, MN USA 02/13/04
South Bank London Pub
Just returned from London and I have to recommend The Royal Oak Pub, 44 Tabard Street, on the South Bank near the Borough tube stop. We found it on www.fancyapint.com. The best pub food we had the entire time. Try the lamb shanks with mashed potatoes! A little out of the way but good directions on fancyapint site.
Marilyn Marks <email>
Charlotte, N.C. USA 02/10/04
Dining Heaven near Victoria Station
My idea of heaven would be to eat lunch every day at Jenny Lo's Tea House (1 block from Victoria Station and the wonderful Lime Tree Hotel), and then have dinner every night at the Ebury Wine Bar (next door to the Lime Tree Hotel). I don't know how or even if Jenny Lo's is connected to the much pricier Ken Lo's Memories of China located around the corner, but I dined at both last week and thought Jenny's was just as good -- especially at 6 or 7 pounds for lunch or dinner! As a single traveler I actually liked being seated at a communal table, too.
Mimi Dollinger <email>
Bloomington, IN USA 02/09/04
I Love Harrods!
The Food Halls at Harrods are my favorite places to eat in London. And quite frankly, it costs very little more to get a great picnic lunch there than going to the grocery stores, which are very hard to find. And the pasteries! We are going to London for an Easter wedding and the chocolates and everything easter-esque are too cool for school! I can hardly wait to go back there. I wish they had condos at Harrods. I would buy one!
Lavinia
Boston, MA USA 01/27/04
Mandalay Burmese Restaurant, London
Two years ago, the Mandalay Burmese restaurant in London was recommended
to me by a friend. I loved it so much, I went back twice in the week I was
there. Now that I am living in London, this is still my favorite restaurant
although now you may have to make reservations in order to get a table.
It is inexpensive, friendly and has absolutely delicious food. The chicken
coconut noodle dish is to die for. It is located on a very unimpressive
block on Edgware Road. To get there, just walk north on Edgware Road from
the tube stop (it doesn't matter which one). The address is 444 Edgware
Road.
Jenny
London, UK 01/20/04
Cheap dinner at London's V&A
The cafe within the Victoria and Albert Museum is open for dinner only one
night--Tues or Wed. It is buffet style with nice choices. Very reasonable
and uncrowded as well. After dinner, we found a wonderful little free classical
concert in one of the halls in the museum. This was a very pleasant evening
in London at a bargain.
Susan Perry <email>
Roswell, Ga USA 01/18/04