columnwest
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2005
Hey Chris!!
Do you have any cool new shirts? Hope you're well and having fun travels.
Thanks for the notes. We have so little time that I relish all the tips on how to best spend my moments!
As a matter of fact, I did pick up some new shirts recently, though I haven't gotten a chance to wear them yet. I got them at this place last weekend (my first visit there)... I guess it's my consolation prize for not getting to go with y'all to Europe.
As for tips... I think you have some free meals while you're in London. If you're looking for a decent casual mid-level chain restaurant, my tips are... First stay far away from TGI Friday's and all the various Abberdeen/Scotch/Angus Steak Houses. It's cruddy plastic tourist food (and their Friday's is not as good as ours). I'd also avoid Garfunkel's (which is basically like Denny's).
Where would I suggest instead?
Wagamama, which has sort of British versions of Asian fusion. The chicken katsu curry (breaded chicken breast with a mild Indian curry sauce) is my favorite. Wagamama tends to renovate basement spaces, so don't be afraid about going downstairs to eat, and the seating is at long row-tables (a la Biergarten at Epcot), so it's a great place for groups.
If you want something less adventurous, Carluccio's is the best option for Italian. (Note, it's waaaay better than Bella Italia, which you'll see a lot more of.) Carluccio's is half restaurant and half store, so it's a bit like eating inside a Williams-Sonoma. But what I love is that they make everything fresh, and you can really taste the difference. They also have really great salads and healthier options. Their Caprese salad, for example, uses fresh whole basil leaves and a signature sweet balsamic drizzle.
Nando's is fun for Portuguese flame-grilled chicken. They have the same chain here in Canada, but for whatever reason, the UK version tastes a lot better. Basically it's char-grilled chicken, seasoned with spices and served with your option of mild to extra-hot Peri Peri sauce. It's hard to describe, but it's spicy and tangy and garlicy all at the same time. It's a nice alternative to BBQ. They have great olives too.
If you like dim sum, my favorite place is Ping Pong. There are only a couple of them around town though. You sit and order what you want off the menu by checking them off on a list and handing it to the server. I highly reccommend all of the stemed dumplings and the fried crispy shrimp balls. Also, you have to get the jasmine tea, which is so beautiful, you'll be taking pictures.
Finally, if you are not nearly broke enough from this trip, I've eaten at my share of 4-star places as well (with 4-star prices to match). Among my favorites are: Coq d'Argent, Orrery, and Roka. But there are many, many more, if you're willing to pay and get dressed up.
Btw, everyone will tell you... the trick to eating well in Britain is to avoid British food. London especially is such a diverse cultural melting pot that if you're willing to be a little adventurous with the food, you'll be hansomely rewarded with some of the best Indian, Moroccan, Greek, Spanish and French food on the planet. However, if you MUST have Fish and Chips, ask the concierege at the hotel for someplace that does them well. Don't settle for Harry Ramsden's.
BTW, your breakfast in England will likely include the following: Eggs, toast, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, sasuage or bacon (and when the British say "bacon" they really mean ham) and black pudding (which is a sausage-like hockey puck of congeled fried blood. Yes, you read that correctly. If you can get over what it is, it actually tastes okay.)
Best wishes. --Chris