England 2012 Guidebook
Best and worst restaurants:
Best: Michaels
Why: Good Mediterranean food. You're right about the large portions!
Yousuf & Theresa Omar in Coppell, TX USA 08/04/2011
Best: St. Martins-in-the-Field Crypt Restaurant
Why: Atmospherice (you're eating in the crypt!), reasonably priced, large servings, good food.
Anne Klowden in Moscow, ID USA 07/03/2011
Best: Cafe No. 8
Why: well-prepared, fresh, modern food. we had a lovely dinner there.
Susan in Bellevue, WA USA 06/25/2011
Best: Navy Inn
Why: Food was outstanding, especially specials, and waitstaff were friendly and engaging.
Dennis Zuburg in Scottsdale, AZ USA 10/10/2010
Best: The Jugged Hare
Why: The best pub food since Nottingham. The pies were superb (the rabbit pie was wonderful). For the kids Fish and Chips - the best in our 2 month trip.Of particular note, they all came with fresh vegetables and not small portions, an oddity in Britain.
Great atmosphere. Two thumbs and 5 stars.
Chris in Wimberley, TX USA 09/23/2010
Best: Betty's Cafe Tea Room - York
Why: We were expecting mediocre food, but instead everything was absolutely delicious. We had a wonderful full afternoon tea, and it was a very memorable part of our trip.
Worst: St. Martin-in-the Fields Cafe in the Crypt - London
Why: There was a very poor selection of food at dinnertime. Of our family of 4 (2 adults & 2 teens), nobody could find anything appealing to eat. Also, we did not particularly enjoy the atmosphere of sitting on a gravestone while you eat.
Carol in Normandy Park, WA USA 08/19/2010
Best: Casanis French Bistro in Bath
Why: The food was fabulous especially the dessert tarts--my husband had chocolate and I had apple. They accommodated our reservations at the last minute since the Bistro Papillon had closed without notice. Service was excellent and the bistro environment was intimate and chic. We had a window tabl, which was lovely.
Worst: Cafe No 8-York
Why: We didn't actually have dinner here since the place was renovating their outdoor space, and it was extremely hot--no air-conditioning. We were disappointed to miss dining there since it had received good recommendations.
Susan Manning in Davidson, NC USA 07/29/2010
Best: Garrick's Head in Bath
Why: All we tried were wonderful so I probably picked this as best because it was the first. We were welcomed even though we arrived a bit before opening and both food and service were superb
Worst: Gordon's Wine Bar London
Why: Actually we never got there - the whole of Villiars St was packed with humanity! Rick says go early and apparently he is right! I'm sure it must be wonderful.
Adair Pickard in Clayton, NC USA 05/30/2010
Best: Melton's Too, York and Blue Man, Brighton
Why: Melton's:Great value, excellent food, wonderful service! Blue man: Neat space, authentic, delicious, great value.
Peter Thompson in Charlottesville, va USA 09/20/2009
Best: The Fox Inn - Lower Oddington, Cotswolds
Why: We were definitely the only tourists in this cozy, delightful pub. It had a relaxed, friendly atmosphere full of locals and we had delicious food and great service!
Worst: The Haunch of Venison, Salisbury
Why: The service was extremely slow and unfriendly. The food wasn't bad, but we had waited so long for it that we felt cheated, and the waitress was utterly disinterested.
Reya in Carson City, NV USA 09/01/2009
Best: Kronos Opera House Tea Room and Pret a Manger
Why: Kronos (am I remembering the name right) was in a great location (Trafalgar Square), we had great service, and the food and seating were good. Pret was convenient, inexpensive, well-located, and delicious.
Antje in Portland, OR USA 08/20/2009
Best: Tilly's in Bath
Why: Excellent food, locally owned. I don't know if it is listed in the book, but it is just around the corner from Three Abbey Green.
Maria Shuman in Boulder, , CO USA 08/10/2009
Best: The Queen's Head - Stow
Why: Extremely entertaining bar staff and clientele, all of whom have been living a sort of Cotswolds version of 'Cheers' for who knows how long.... People bring their dogs, kids, and whomever else they find on Market Square, and sit on the back patio. Great beer, real circus.
Jim in Rockville, MD USA 07/30/2009
Best: Jenny Lo's Teahouse in London
Why: Small menu, reasonably priced, good food. We loved the crispy seaweed.
Anne Ayre in Bowen Island, BC Canada 07/19/2009
Best: St. Martin-in-the-Fields Cafe in the Crypt
Why: We ate here on Wednesday night so we had dinner and then stayed for the jazz concert. It was an unexpected delight. The food was fine but the concert was great. They had a Latin jazz band playing which we really enjoyed but they also had salsa and cha-cha dancing lessons off to the side during the concert so I learned some dance steps with complete strangers while my husband enjoyed the music. Great fun!
Philomena Karol in Raleigh, NC USA 07/14/2009
Best: The Red Lion Pub in Avebury
Why: The fish and chips were good and the location was great.
Mike Flaherty in St Louis, MO USA 06/13/2009
Best:
Why: I ate quite a bit of pub grub, very yummy and afforable, visited the Marks and Spencer in a few different locations and just kind of went with what looked good.
Paul DiBlasi in Jacksonville Beach, Fl USA 05/27/2009
Worst: petit dejune at Chateau et Hotel Beynac
Why: It was a quarter as elegant as Benoit's (above) at four times the price. My main complaint is the inelegance. an easy fix. The food was not that bad Yes helpful. Maybe I am cranky because my GPS unit took me for a joyride. I used to call her Wanda, because she Wanded all around but not I call her Mary, for the very same reason. Mary go round.
David Bean in Portland, Or USA 05/22/2009
Best: Kymalton House (Moreton-in-Marsh)
Why: Good price, clean room, excellent English breakfast - kept us full all day! (Map with footpath is now inaccurate, however).
Dave W. in Seattle, WA USA 01/20/2009